I've always enjoyed listening to jazzed-up versions of classical pieces, especially those as performed during the big band era. Even if purists might have dismissed the practice, it did offer the music of the ages to many people who would otherwise have shied away from what they called 'long-hair' music. (A term that has certainly … Continue reading Freddy Martin Introduced Tchaikovsky To Millions
Tag: Nostalgia
Fuzzy Memories Of Rockabilly
As someone who was a teenager during the years that rockabilly was rising in popularity, it's kind of funny that I don't remember hearing the term at that time. I recall that we often called country music 'hillbilly', and I certainly remember everyone talking about rock and roll, but to actually give the name 'rockabilly' … Continue reading Fuzzy Memories Of Rockabilly
Choosing Crooning Over Medicine – Eddy Howard
He could have been a doctor, it would seem. But Eddy Howard, who dropped out of Stanford Medical School in the early 1930s to pursue his musical dream, would instead become one of the most-loved crooners of his era. The California-born Howard began his professional career as a big band singer, first appearing with Dick … Continue reading Choosing Crooning Over Medicine – Eddy Howard
Laughing At The Cowhand
My Swiss cheese memory occasionally surprises me by turning up a useless little nugget of info amidst all those empty holes. A good example would be what happened today when I ran across an old song, "I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)." It was written by Johnny Mercer for a 1936 Bing Crosby … Continue reading Laughing At The Cowhand
Just Truckin’ On Down The Road
Is it just me, or are trucks getting bigger and fancier? On my last highway trip, I found myself once again surrounded by an endless procession of the huge beasts, and I couldn't help noticing how they seem bigger than ever, with many of them sporting elaborate sleeper cabs. Of course, sleeper cabs are pretty … Continue reading Just Truckin’ On Down The Road
When Ricky Nelson Followed Little Peggy
As most of us know, a cover version of a song is one that features a new or different performer following in the footsteps of someone who had earlier success with that particular piece. Sometimes a few changes are required, as was the case when Ricky Nelson followed Little Peggy March, turning her signature song, … Continue reading When Ricky Nelson Followed Little Peggy
Johnny Hartman – Crooning With Coltrane
Although I've written a number of pieces about crooners, I don't think I've ever covered one quite like Johnny Hartman. He would certainly qualify as a crooner of the first rank, but he just might be more remembered for his collaborations with a musical legend, saxophonist John Coltrane. The Chicago-born Hartman first began drawing attention … Continue reading Johnny Hartman – Crooning With Coltrane
A Johnny Mathis Request
This is something a little different from what we usually do here, but I don't know why it wouldn't work. One of our regulars, May Higgins, has been looking for a particular Johnny Mathis song. It's one that he apparently performed at his 50th anniversary celebration, and May bought the CD but the song wasn't … Continue reading A Johnny Mathis Request
Segue To Sweet Swing Sounds
I first learned the meaning of 'segue' while working as a young radio DJ in the early 1960s. The veteran broadcaster who was my boss would explain how the process of smoothly flowing from the end of one record into the beginning of the next would help avoid 'dead air', a forbidden sin for radio … Continue reading Segue To Sweet Swing Sounds
Eddie Peabody Will Now Play For You
Remember those 'bloopers' records that were popular back in the 1950s? A guy named Kermit Schafer had a lot of success by compiling entire albums of bloopers -- mostly from radio in the early days, but later from TV too. The slightly naughty nature of some of the excerpts probably helped make them more popular, … Continue reading Eddie Peabody Will Now Play For You
Geezer Music Club 