I have a modest proposal, but before you say no I would ask you to remember what time of year it is. After all, 'tis the season to be...er, jolly, or something like that, but what I had in mind was something closer to forgiveness. After many years of relegating him to the penalty box, … Continue reading Granting Absolution To Pat Boone
Category: Seniors
Tony Bennett – Before He Was A Legend
A while back I posted an article called The Crooner Conundrum, which discussed the state of crooner-hood in general and included a couple of contradictory quotes about Tony Bennett -- “One of the world’s favorite crooners” and “Bennett is a belter, not a crooner”. I guess when it comes to Tony it depends on how … Continue reading Tony Bennett – Before He Was A Legend
Same Place, Different Music – From Buddy Holly To Mozart
Life is full of coincidences but it still strikes as a little funny the way things happen sometimes. I'm thinking specifically about a couple of musical revelations I've had, although revelation might be too strong a word. These weren't instances where I slammed my forehead and said, "wow!", but rather moments that set me on … Continue reading Same Place, Different Music – From Buddy Holly To Mozart
Close Encounters Of The Celebrity Kind
We might as well admit it. It's obvious that we're all fascinated by celebrities. In fact, you could probably say that our endless interest forms part of the very definition of the word. According to the dictionary, a celebrity is someone who is "held up for public acclaim", which our society certainly does with an … Continue reading Close Encounters Of The Celebrity Kind
REVIEW: Dave Liebman & Bobby Avey – Vienna Dialogues
New on the Zoho label, Vienna Dialogues features well-regarded soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman on a follow-up to his previous Manhattan Dialogues, on which he collaborated with Phil Markowitz. This time around, he chooses young pianist Bobby Avey as a partner, and focuses on 19th century romantic European art music. Included are pieces by Schubert, Handel, … Continue reading REVIEW: Dave Liebman & Bobby Avey – Vienna Dialogues
Remembering The Music Of The Cotton Club
It was a popular Harlem night club that featured black performers but was restricted to an all-white clientele, which might seem to be a paradox but was a product of the casual racism of the time. The decor, the costumes - even the name Cotton Club - reflected an attitude that's disquieting to us now, … Continue reading Remembering The Music Of The Cotton Club
Differing Definitions Deflate Dynamic Date Movie
Sometimes I have to chuckle when I see a new film described as a "date movie", because it seems as if everyone knows the meaning of the term and the importance of careful movie selection in support of budding relationships, but that wasn't always so -- or at least, it wasn't for me when I … Continue reading Differing Definitions Deflate Dynamic Date Movie
REVIEW: Sarah McLachlan – Wintersong
Ah, 'tis the season to be jolly, and wise musicians from afar (Canada in this case) will be downright ebullient with joy as they get their share of holiday bounty by enjoying the fruits of a best-selling Christmas album. Sarah McLachlan has joined those ranks with her Wintersong, which is currently one of the most … Continue reading REVIEW: Sarah McLachlan – Wintersong
Tinkering With Tubes Leads To Adventures In Paradise
As I was growing up it seemed as if music was always around me in one way or another, so it's not remarkable that I formed an appreciation for it. Even when I was young, I would endlessly spin the old records we had stacked up around the house and I also listened to all … Continue reading Tinkering With Tubes Leads To Adventures In Paradise
REVIEW: Hendrik Meurkens – New York Samba Jazz Quintet
Here are two words I never thought I'd be using together in a CD review -- jazz and harmonica. But that's exactly what's on display in this new Hendrik Meurkens release from Zoho titled simply New York Samba Jazz Quintet, and due out the first week of January. This is the latest for Meurkens, who … Continue reading REVIEW: Hendrik Meurkens – New York Samba Jazz Quintet
Geezer Music Club 