For most listeners, yodeling is something that causes one of two reactions. Either they make fun of it, or they scratch their heads in puzzlement. Those who laugh will probably always find yodeling silly, but as for the latter - those who just don't understand it - maybe I can help. Thoughts of yodeling came … Continue reading Respecting The Art Of Yodeling
Category: Seniors
REVIEW: Benny Golson – New Time, New ‘Tet, et al.
Tenor sax veteran Benny Golson, still going strong after an extended career that includes a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, is the subject of a new salute from Concord Jazz. The promotion actually includes a pair of albums; one newly recorded and the other a career retrospective, offered separately as a companion piece. New Time, New … Continue reading REVIEW: Benny Golson – New Time, New ‘Tet, et al.
Gene Chandler – Beyond The Duke
Although he'll always be most remembered for "Duke Of Earl," Gene Chandler was much more than a one-hit wonder. Over a long and successful career he had countless records that hit the charts even if they might not have quite reached the heights of his number-one seller. Born Eugene Dixon in Chicago, his singing career … Continue reading Gene Chandler – Beyond The Duke
Tony Burrows – The Human Hit Machine
One of the most unusual stories in pop music is that of British singer Tony Burrows, who could be described as a sort of human hit machine. Although his name is not widely recognized, in the late 1960's and early 1970's he had the knack - and the talent - to show up in an … Continue reading Tony Burrows – The Human Hit Machine
REVIEW: Eliane Elias – Bossa Nova Stories
Not gonna make you wait on this one. No beating around the bush, no hemming and hawing - well OK, a little - but the simple truth is that Brazilian jazz icon Eliane Elias' newest album, Bossa Nova Stories, is one of the best I've heard in a long time. It's a new issue on … Continue reading REVIEW: Eliane Elias – Bossa Nova Stories
Speaking Up In Defense Of Cooties
I'm willing to bet that almost everybody reading this has at some point in their childhood teasingly accused someone of giving them 'cooties' -- or has been on the other end, as the one being accused. It's an old insult that dates back for a number of generations, but most of the kids using the … Continue reading Speaking Up In Defense Of Cooties
The Brothers From Mississippi + One
The Chambers Brothers were one of the best of the family-based R&B groups of the Sixties and they were a little unusual too. At their peak, the group consisted of four black brothers from Mississippi -- and a white drummer. Along with contemporaries such as Sly and the Family Stone, the group helped integrate pop … Continue reading The Brothers From Mississippi + One
REVIEW: Jaimee Paul – At Last
Whether we realize it or not, we sometimes approach tribute albums a little sideways, sort of edging up to them while wondering if the artist will do justice to the original. I suppose it's a natural enough attitude to have, but it seems a little unfair if we judge them too quickly. Those thoughts were … Continue reading REVIEW: Jaimee Paul – At Last
Rebel Without A Clue
I've often written about how the familiar sounds of an old song can instantly transport me to a different time and place, and that was certainly the case with one I ran across recently. Johnny Bond's "Hot Rod Lincoln" took me back to a time when my friends and I had some hot rod adventures … Continue reading Rebel Without A Clue
REVIEW: Hendrik Meurkens – Samba To Go!
For the third year in a row, the otherwise frigid month of January is warmed up for Latin jazz lovers via a new Hendrik Meurkens album on the Zoho label. Samba To Go! follows the pattern set by 2008's Sambatropolis and 2007's New York Samba Jazz Quintet, once again showcasing Meurkens' talent on both harmonica … Continue reading REVIEW: Hendrik Meurkens – Samba To Go!
Geezer Music Club 