A while back, the little display window on my car stereo suddenly went dark. Since I normally listen to CD's, and on those rare occasions when I do listen to the radio it's usually tuned to one station, I didn't really notice it much at first. But I eventually found myself missing it, so I … Continue reading Tinkering With Car Radios – Simpler Isn’t Always Better
Category: Seniors
REVIEW: Dave Mullen And Butta – Mahoney’s Way
In terms of the type of music they perform, most jazz musicians can be pretty clearly labeled. Even those who sometimes blur the boundaries between genres can become known for that, and consequently become a little predictable. However, multi-talented instrumentalist Dave Mullen, on a new album called Mahoney's Way (from RMG), is anything but predictable. … Continue reading REVIEW: Dave Mullen And Butta – Mahoney’s Way
The Little Rascals And A Shot At Movie Stardom
I was once almost a movie star. Well, maybe not a star but at least a real actor. Hmmm. . .actually, that's not quite right either. The truth is that once - as a child - I appeared in a movie, and I'm not sure but I think it might have just been part of … Continue reading The Little Rascals And A Shot At Movie Stardom
Jimmie Driftwood – A Teacher Who Became A Musical Treasure
He's seldom mentioned these days, and even at his peak never experienced huge record sales. He also didn't have the passionate following of other, more politically-minded folk music artists, but Jimmie Driftwood still left his mark on American music. Born James Corbett Morris in rural Arkansas, he was brought up in an family that included … Continue reading Jimmie Driftwood – A Teacher Who Became A Musical Treasure
REVIEW: The War – A Ken Burns Film (Soundtrack – Boxed Set)
I have a problem. Ken Burns' newest documentary, The War, which provides a comprehensive look at World War II and is now showing on PBS, has also generated a four CD boxed set of music. The problem is that it's so freakin' good that I'm afraid I'm in danger of overselling it, but at the … Continue reading REVIEW: The War – A Ken Burns Film (Soundtrack – Boxed Set)
Gogi Grant And Her Wayward Wind
I've written several times about so-called "one-hit wonders" and my disagreement with the label being applied too casually to performers. And although the description might technically be correct in some cases, it seems extra poignant when it's attached to a musician who had a world of talent but was just never able to repeat their … Continue reading Gogi Grant And Her Wayward Wind
Hank Williams And The Hunt For The Elusive Sassafras
It's always been fascinating to me how a piece of music can trigger memories, but I suppose it's really not that surprising. After all, one of the reasons music appeals to us as individuals is its ability to generate moods and feelings, so memories wouldn't be far behind. I was recently listening to an old … Continue reading Hank Williams And The Hunt For The Elusive Sassafras
DVD REVIEW: Glen Campbell – Good Times Again
Glen Travis Campbell, Apr 22, 1936 -- Aug 8, 2017 Although Glen Campbell has a well-known history as a big country music star, with mega-hits on songs such as "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," and "Wichita Lineman," a lot of today's music fans might not realize that he started in pop music. They … Continue reading DVD REVIEW: Glen Campbell – Good Times Again
REVIEW: Daniel Smith – The Swingin’ Bassoon
Admittedly, there's something about the bassoon - maybe the name - that seems to make people smirk a little. And an album titled The Swingin' Bassoon might elicit a chuckle -- after all, when I picked it up I thought it said Swingin' Baboon. But this new release from bassoonist Daniel Smith on the ZahZah … Continue reading REVIEW: Daniel Smith – The Swingin’ Bassoon
Jazz At The Junction With Erskine Hawkins
During my mid-teen years, when I was first forming my life-long appreciation for big band music (while still keeping an eye on the growth of rock and roll) one of my favorites was a tune that Glenn Miller and his orchestra had made into a big hit a number of years earlier. In fact, it … Continue reading Jazz At The Junction With Erskine Hawkins
Geezer Music Club 