May has arrived and for a lot of teenagers that means just one thing -- prom night is rapidly approaching and plans need to be made. I'm certainly not an authority of how it's done these days, but I know that everything up to and including stretch limos is pretty much the standard now. It … Continue reading Puttin’ On The Ritz
Category: Seniors
REVIEW: Bill Wimmer – Project Omaha
It's always a kick to discover a musician who has flown a little below the radar, although in all fairness to artists everywhere I should admit that my particular radar unit is not always reliable. In fact, I would have been right at home as part of the crew watching over Pearl Harbor. But putting … Continue reading REVIEW: Bill Wimmer – Project Omaha
Johnny Duncan’s ‘Skiffle’ Inspired The Beatles
If you were to ask current music fans what they know about Johnny Duncan, most would either not recognize the name or would think of the country music star who first rose to prominence in the 1970s. But there was an earlier Johnny Duncan and his story makes for a fascinating tale, one that involves … Continue reading Johnny Duncan’s ‘Skiffle’ Inspired The Beatles
Get Your Kicks On Route 66
One of my favorite nieces (actually they're all favorites) is a talented and entertaining writer whose posts on her own blog often tickle my funny bone. In a recent tale about a road trip she mentioned Route 66, and that's all it took for my memories to rev up to full speed like a super-charged … Continue reading Get Your Kicks On Route 66
A Group Called Smith
The members of newly formed musical groups often choose quirky and unusual names for their aggregations -- usually something that's sort of cool-sounding, but at the same will be remembered by ever-fickle fans. Maybe that's why I find it so fascinating that in at least one case, a group chose a name that was unusual … Continue reading A Group Called Smith
REVIEW: Hilary Kole – Haunted Heart
The first thing that comes to mind when listening to Hilary Kole's solo debut, Haunted Heart, now out on the Justin Time label, is amazement that it's a debut album. Her crystal-clear voice and perfect timing, combined with some solid backing from a group that includes guitarist (and producer) John Pizzarelli, provide a polished and … Continue reading REVIEW: Hilary Kole – Haunted Heart
The Third Passenger At Clear Lake
I suppose it's just a microcosm of life itself, but pop music is filled with haunting stories and senseless tragedies. One of those occurred in 1959 at Clear Lake, Iowa, when a plane crash took the life of the pilot and his three passengers. It's been immortalized as 'The Day the Music Died', but most … Continue reading The Third Passenger At Clear Lake
Ivie And The Duke Hit The Road
Lately I've been digging a little deeper into the history of a place that's always intrigued me, New York's historic jazz spot known as the Cotton Club. At the height of its popularity in the late 1920s and early 1930s, it provided a showcase for many future legends. One of the biggest was Edward Kennedy … Continue reading Ivie And The Duke Hit The Road
REVIEW: Tango Duo – Pasión por la Vida
Over a long and illustrious career that has included everything from bebop to the classics (not that there aren't some bebop classics, but you know what I mean), respected pianist Roger Davidson has again and again returned to Latin music. That passion is reflected in the title of his newest album on the Soundbrush label, … Continue reading REVIEW: Tango Duo – Pasión por la Vida
Honky-Tonk Swingin’ With Hank Thompson
Fans of modern country music might not immediately recognize his name, but for a couple of decades the charismatic and talented Hank Thompson was one of the biggest stars around, a master of Western Swing who was equally at home with romantic ballads or pure honky-tonk. Henry William Thompson was yet another of the many … Continue reading Honky-Tonk Swingin’ With Hank Thompson
Geezer Music Club 