I happened to spot an old black and white musical on one of the cable movie channels the other day, and it got me to thinking about how sometimes situations change but the basics don't. Modern movie-goers are accustomed to hearing music in their films, either in the background or featuring a currently hot musician … Continue reading Swing Music In The Movies — The MTV Of Its Day
Category: Seniors
REVIEW: Engelbert Humperdinck — What’s In a Name?
I think the first time I heard the name Engelbert Humperdinck was during my college years when I spent some time working at a tiny radio station that specialized in classical music. I didn't know much about that kind of music but I worked for the proverbial peanuts, so maybe that's why the station owner … Continue reading REVIEW: Engelbert Humperdinck — What’s In a Name?
Paul Desmond On Alto Sax — The ‘Anti-Bird’?
I want to start with the assurance that I'm not criticizing Charlie Parker, or 'Bird' as he's known to his many fans -- including Clint Eastwood, who made a very good movie about him. Nor am I trying to damn him with faint praise when I say that I like most - but not all … Continue reading Paul Desmond On Alto Sax — The ‘Anti-Bird’?
Count Basie And The Aristocracy Of Swing Music
Way back in the early years of my burgeoning infatuation with swing music, I began to notice that there seemed to be a lot of musicians with nicknames that bestowed nobility -- even royalty. Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, King Oliver, Count Basie, and of course the King of Swing, just to mention a few. … Continue reading Count Basie And The Aristocracy Of Swing Music
Redefining Oldies — Round II
A couple of posts ago I ventured into risky territory -- I attempted to come up with a definition for oldies. When I say risky I don't mean that someone is trying to dynamite the place, just that the posting seemed to generate some dissent. Some disagreed with my opinion that boomers were most responsible … Continue reading Redefining Oldies — Round II
REVIEW: Virtuoso From Down-Under
Having appointed myself the arbiter of how music relates to geezers, I feel a heavy responsibility to steer my cohorts in the right direction when I spot something I think they'd like (or warn them away, in some cases). Recently I received an advance copy of a new CD titled The Mystery by Australian guitarist … Continue reading REVIEW: Virtuoso From Down-Under
What’s The True Definition Of “Oldies”?
Recently I was more than a little surprised to see some music from the nineties described as "oldies", but then I thought about it and realized that it really isn't that startling because the definition of oldies obviously varies with your age and background. Still, I think that most of us would probably concede that … Continue reading What’s The True Definition Of “Oldies”?
Vinyl Isn’t Always Final
The other day I stumbled across a website that features old vinyl records, and it made me feel a little wistful about my departed collection...sort of how you'd feel about a long-gone but scruffy old hound dog, ticks and all. I got rid of my mutt - er, records - years ago and replaced most … Continue reading Vinyl Isn’t Always Final
Rediscover The Music Of James Bond
About forty-five years ago, I got hooked on a series of books that featured a British secret agent who was suave, sophisticated, deadly to his enemies, and irresistible to the ladies. (I was so fond of the books that I even tried vodka martinis - shaken, not stirred - but that experiment didn't last long.) … Continue reading Rediscover The Music Of James Bond
Pokeweed: A Southern Staple That Inspired a Classic Blues Song
When I was very young and my dad was on the road with his job, sometimes my mother would pack a small suitcase and her and I would walk down and catch the bus headed out of town. I'd be excited at first, but then time would slow down for me as the bus tediously … Continue reading Pokeweed: A Southern Staple That Inspired a Classic Blues Song
Geezer Music Club 