You might have noticed that entertainer/songwriter Paul Williams has been in the news this Summer as the subject of an award-winning documentary titled Paul Williams: Still Alive. But there is another Paul Williams deserving of some attention, a guy who was a rock and roll pioneer. His claim to fame was something called the Hucklebuck. … Continue reading Doin’ The Hucklebuck With The OTHER Paul Williams
Tag: Jazz
Cooling Off With Ice Of A Different Color
It's been a while since we've had a slideshow, and I thought that the continuing heat wave might create the need for something cool. (Aside from the regular coolness that is always present on the GMC, of course.) I did something similar on Memorial Day, but in that case the pictures were of snow sculptures. … Continue reading Cooling Off With Ice Of A Different Color
The Enigma Of Annette Hanshaw
I'm always fascinated by the odd and interesting details that turn up when I dig into the stories of entertainers from the past. A good example is vocalist Annette Hanshaw, who was considered one of the best of the early jazz singers. Turns out she was also someone who fibbed about her age by a … Continue reading The Enigma Of Annette Hanshaw
Discovering Beegie Adair
I have a confession to make. I have the TV on and tuned to the cable music channels a lot, especially if I'm reading. But that's not what my confession is about. My guilty secret is that by doing so, I often discover - or rediscover - performers who make perfect subjects for write-ups on … Continue reading Discovering Beegie Adair
Born To Be Blue – Beverly Kenney
Another of the many tragedies that seem to occur too frequently in music is the fate of singer Beverly Kenney, who was a rising jazz star in the 1950s. She seemed to have a lot going for her -- an outstanding voice and a singing style that meshed perfectly with the type of cool jazz … Continue reading Born To Be Blue – Beverly Kenney
Looking Deeper Into Ben Bernie And His Song
So I was listening to an old song that I'm sure most of us remember -- "Sweet Georgia Brown" -- and I discovered something interesting. The song, which you might remember as the signature tune of the Harlem Globetrotters, has been performed by just about everybody since it was written almost a century ago. And … Continue reading Looking Deeper Into Ben Bernie And His Song
Bat These Around For A While
Now that I'm once again fully involved in the new baseball season (it takes me a while) I thought I'd feature a special kind of sculpture in a slideshow. It's dedicated to all the guys who are swinging their bats. Of course, a few of them need to be sent back to the minors. Django … Continue reading Bat These Around For A While
The Musical Side Of Fred MacMurray
Although he died more than two decades ago, I would think that most of us remember Fred MacMurray pretty well. He was a major star during a long career that included memorable appearances in movies like Double Indemnity, The Egg And I, and The Caine Mutiny, and he also had a long run as the … Continue reading The Musical Side Of Fred MacMurray
The Little Sparrow – Édith Piaf
A few people were startled when a relatively unknown French actress named Marion Cotillard won an Oscar for her lead performance in the 2007 film, La Vie en Rose. But there's little doubt that she nailed the role of Édith Piaf, the legendary singer whose life story was certainly worthy of a movie. Still beloved in … Continue reading The Little Sparrow – Édith Piaf
Cat Anderson Soared Above The Rest
In the world of jazz, high-note trumpeters are much admired -- not just for their skill, but for their audacity. It takes a lot of courage to specialize in a type of playing that is very appealing to most listeners but is reminiscent of fingernails on a blackboard to others. One of the best at … Continue reading Cat Anderson Soared Above The Rest
Geezer Music Club 