It would be difficult to find a song with a more unusual history of success than the swing era classic, "And The Angels Sing." Originally an instrumental with a Jewish klezmer-style segment, it would later have lyrics added and become a hit record for a famous big band, while at the same time turning into … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – “And the Angels Sing”
Tag: Music History
Spring And Strange Slideshows
Now that March has arrived, I wanted to do a slideshow with bright and colorful pictures that would herald the approach of Spring, but I got sidetracked by something. The slideshow widget used by WordPress (the GMC host) has either changed or my memory is worse than I thought, because no matter what size pictures … Continue reading Spring And Strange Slideshows
Doris Day’s Rock And Roll Connection
It's likely that most fans of oldies music remember a California-based group known as the Rip Chords, a combo that epitomized a sub-genre of rock and roll known as 'hot rod music' with a big hit on "Hey Little Cobra" in 1964. You might also recall that the group seemed to go through a lot … Continue reading Doris Day’s Rock And Roll Connection
Texas Ruby Was A Real Firecracker
Texas Ruby has been gone for fifty years now, and she didn't headline in Vegas or score any huge hit records during her too-short career, but she remains one of the most memorable country music stars of all time. Ably accompanied by husband Curly Fox's fiddle, her deep singing voice and distinctive performing style helped … Continue reading Texas Ruby Was A Real Firecracker
Ray’s Song Becomes A Fantastic Foursome
I know what you're thinking: isn't it about time we had another Fantastic Foursome? Okay, maybe you weren't thinking that but I was, and so here we go. It's difficult to hear "Georgia On My Mind" and not think of Ray Charles, but it has actually been performed by a lot of folks since Hoagy … Continue reading Ray’s Song Becomes A Fantastic Foursome
Search For A Song Leads To The Norman Petty Trio
GMC visitors who keep an eye on the 'recent comments' in the left column might already know a little about today's subject, but here's the scoop for those who don't: one of our most popular posts is a 2008 piece about a 1950s doo-wop group called The Danleers -- but I think that's mostly because … Continue reading Search For A Song Leads To The Norman Petty Trio
The Legendary Clarke-Boland Big Band
I don't consider myself a jazz expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I'd like to think that I've picked up a few things in the many years that have passed since I began enjoying it as a teenager. That's why I was a little surprised when I first read about a 1960s jazz … Continue reading The Legendary Clarke-Boland Big Band
Anatomy Of A Song – “Any Time”
I ran across this song a while back, and when I heard it I was once again transported back to my childhood, because I'm sure that we had a record of it around the house. My only dilemma is that both popular versions seem very familiar to me. When Herbert 'Happy' Lawson wrote the song … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – “Any Time”
Movement Can Be Fascinating
The type of media file known as an animated GIF -- you know, a little picture that features repetitive simple movement -- has had its ups and downs through the years. (Pun intended.) I used to include small examples on the GMC from time to time (like the one on the left) but that type … Continue reading Movement Can Be Fascinating
Edd ‘Kookie’ Byrnes – Artist With A Comb
One of the unlikeliest recording stars of the 1950s was a guy who finessed a huge hit record by linking it to the peculiar habit of the character he portrayed on a TV show. Edd Byrnes was a young actor who played 'Kookie' Kookson on 77 Sunset Strip, a private-eye program first aired in 1958. … Continue reading Edd ‘Kookie’ Byrnes – Artist With A Comb
Geezer Music Club 