Whew. I just listened to a little piece called "Nashville Pickin'," by a multiple Grammy winner who is among the best to ever pick up a guitar, and yet he remains a relative unknown to many modern country music fans. Maybe that just says something about the direction country music has moved in recent years, … Continue reading Doc Watson Is Still Pickin’
Category: Seniors
Slim & Slam’s Sly Song
I've always been fascinated by novelty songs, and I especially like those that have hidden meanings, although in some cases they're barely concealed. That type of song is one that the songwriter is aiming at a certain audience -- the kind that will "get it" -- while hiding it from straight listeners. A good example … Continue reading Slim & Slam’s Sly Song
Dad Was Never ‘The Old Man’
Fathers' Day inevitably stirs memories, not only of my own experiences as a father but also those of my Dad. It was 25 years ago that we lost him but he's still fondly remembered, and isn't that the kind of immortality we can all hope for? I remember calling him Daddy when I was little … Continue reading Dad Was Never ‘The Old Man’
REVIEW: Frank Wess Nonet – Once Is Not Enough
If you're into all things jazz, you might have read the recent announcement about the winners of this year's Jazz Journalists Association awards, and you might even have noticed that the title of Flutist of the Year was given to Frank Wess. It's just the latest of the many honors the talented instrumentalist has received … Continue reading REVIEW: Frank Wess Nonet – Once Is Not Enough
The Blue Lady — Helen Forrest
I was listening to one of my favorites recently, and as I enjoyed the music I thought to myself that it was a perfect example of how the singers who performed in the big band era did their job. The song, performed by Harry James and his orchestra with a vocal by songbird Helen Forrest, … Continue reading The Blue Lady — Helen Forrest
Peanut Butter Has Always Had A Lot Of Fans
I guess it might be a little bit of a stretch to call the Sixties group Peanut Butter Conspiracy a one-hit wonder, mainly because their biggest seller barely made it into the top 100. But they were pretty representative of the many psychedelic groups that appeared in those days, and they certainly had one of … Continue reading Peanut Butter Has Always Had A Lot Of Fans
Buddy DeFranco Deserves Some Love
I've been on a kind of clarinet thing lately, reminiscing about my childhood and my own lack of talent while also restating my admiration for some of the greats. With the latter thought in mind, it occurred to me that a few of the great jazz clarinetists have never received the recognition they deserve, and … Continue reading Buddy DeFranco Deserves Some Love
Coal Miners And Country Gentlemen
At one time, several members of my extended family were involved in coal mining at some level, and that's probably true of many of us with rural roots. Along with farming (something my family also knew a little about), mining was one of the most common jobs around in those days. In some cases -- … Continue reading Coal Miners And Country Gentlemen
REVIEW: Gary Burton Quartet – Quartet Live
Throughout his long career, vibes master Gary Burton has been one of the most respected jazz performers around. But even though he's performed alongside many of the greats (and won six Grammys along the way), one of his best spots has always been as the heart and soul of the groups he's led. Those groups … Continue reading REVIEW: Gary Burton Quartet – Quartet Live
The Captain Meets His Match
I've once again been digging through old photos, and I ran across a standard school picture of myself as a sixth-grader. Nothing unusual about that, but I couldn't help but notice the white band across my chest. I immediately recognized it as part of my Safety Patrol belt, which in turn released a flood of … Continue reading The Captain Meets His Match
Geezer Music Club 