The whole concept of "one-hit wonder" has always seemed a little unfair to me, but there's little doubt that there have always been a lot of musicians who are remembered for one big tune. Tom Hanks even made a movie about the subject, That Thing You Do, which featured a band whose very name, The … Continue reading More Than Just A One-Hit Wonder
Category: Seniors
REVIEW: Paul Brown & Friends – White Sand
I always feel a little torn when I do a review of a smooth jazz album, but in spite of the disregard in which it's held by many jazz fans, it is a very popular musical format. Personally I have a kind of love-hate relationship with it, although that might be a little strong -- … Continue reading REVIEW: Paul Brown & Friends – White Sand
Beatniks, Bongos, And Me
There was a period during my teen years when I toyed with the idea of becoming a "beatnik", but I don't think I was ever really serious. It's more likely that I was - like any teenager - just trying to find myself, and see if I could figure out where I was going with … Continue reading Beatniks, Bongos, And Me
REVIEW: Feel Like Going Home – The Essential Charlie Rich
This release is a new presentation of a 1997 album titled Charlie Rich - Feel Like Going Home, a compilation of music that he recorded through the years for several different record companies. It's now been added to the Epic/Legacy Essential series and is the same music with different packaging, so this review applies to … Continue reading REVIEW: Feel Like Going Home – The Essential Charlie Rich
The Music Of Peter Gunn – Beyond Mancini
In the late 1950's, a ground-breaking TV show caught my attention because of the very feature that made it revolutionary. It was just a private-eye show, but instead of using canned music for background it made the music part of the show, and even more unique, that music was jazz. This confluence of things occurred … Continue reading The Music Of Peter Gunn – Beyond Mancini
REVIEW: Swamp Gold Country (Vol 1)
Since most of the country is suffering though Winter weather and needs a diversion, it seemed like the right time to revisit indie music of the country persuasion. It's always a real kick to see what's available from some of the independent regional outfits that are operating in various parts of the good ole US … Continue reading REVIEW: Swamp Gold Country (Vol 1)
Alabama’s Randy Owen Is Only Human
Holy Cow. Randy Owen, the lead singer of country group Alabama, has turned into a geezer! I happened to be scanning with the TV remote last night - a common occurrence, I'm forced to admit - and spotted him singing solo in what appeared to be a recent appearance. He'll turn 58 this year and … Continue reading Alabama’s Randy Owen Is Only Human
REVIEW: Van Gelder Series: Pat Martino -El Hombre
Guitar great Pat Martino is the subject of my third review (1, 2) from a series of albums released by Prestige (Concord) and based on the work of legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder. All the albums in the series were originally mastered by Van Gelder and he has now handled the modern remastering as … Continue reading REVIEW: Van Gelder Series: Pat Martino -El Hombre
Beatles Weren’t First British Musical Invasion
When I was a teenager, learning about big band music by listening to it with my friend Louie on his homebrew "hi-fi" (this was pre-stereo), I soon found myself becoming more and more familiar with the star bandleaders and their styles. I got pretty good at telling the difference between the music of Benny and … Continue reading Beatles Weren’t First British Musical Invasion
REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Plus 4
This is my second review of an album from a series issued by Prestige Records that features remastered music from legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder. (For the backstory, refer to the earlier Jackie McLean review.) On this album, Sonny Rollins - Plus 4, we're turning back the clock over 50 years to take a … Continue reading REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Plus 4
Geezer Music Club 