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
Tag: Video
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
The Heritage Of Andy Russell
Although it's much less common now, the music world has always been filled with performers who have 'Anglicized' their birth names, and a lot of those artists have been featured here. I won't even try to list them all, but one large grouping was explored in an earlier post, the Quintessential Italian Crooner. Some of … Continue reading The Heritage Of Andy Russell
Black And Blue Friday
Is it just my imagination, or is there a lot more attention being paid to 'Black Friday' this year? I know it's been a big deal for quite some time now, but in recent years it has even expanded into 'Black Friday Weekend' and then "Black Friday Week', although I haven't seen any ads for … Continue reading Black And Blue Friday
Debbie Reynolds’ Favorite Crooner?
Debbie Reynolds' favorite crooner in the late 1950s was almost certainly her husband, Eddie Fisher -- at least until he had his famous fling with Liz Taylor -- but before that, there just might have been another singer who made her swoon. Or at least that's how her character in the 1954 movie, Susan Slept … Continue reading Debbie Reynolds’ Favorite Crooner?
In Search Of Tweedle Dee
Taking into account the recent success of the 3D remake of Alice In Wonderland, most would assume that the title of this piece refers to the roly-poly twins -- Tweedledee and Tweedledum -- who were featured in that story. But we're mostly about music here, and my focus is actually on a silly but memorable … Continue reading In Search Of Tweedle Dee
Two Sides Of Smooth – Jerry Wallace
Rock and roll's rise in popularity during the 1950s helped create an exciting -- if confusing -- time for musicians, as they tried to find their place in the midst of all that was going on. Many of those with a country background began to gradually move away from the music of the heartland, looking … Continue reading Two Sides Of Smooth – Jerry Wallace
Limehouse Blues – A Jazz Classic
Sometimes my curiosity draws me to a particular song that seems to have an interesting name and maybe an intriguing history, and when I dig into it I often find a fascinating story. A good example is the jazz standard "Limehouse Blues," which has been recorded by just about everybody from Duke Ellington to Django … Continue reading Limehouse Blues – A Jazz Classic
Bobby Fuller And The Law
There is probably more than a touch of irony in the story of Bobby Fuller, the early rocker who is now mostly remembered for "I Fought The Law (And The Law Won)." After all, the circumstances surrounding the rising young star's death in 1966 have always been the subject of speculation, and there are many … Continue reading Bobby Fuller And The Law
A Singer’s Singer – Ethel Ennis
In the long history of jazz vocalists, there have always been a few who have been respectfully described as a 'singer's singer'. Some of them have been very well-known, but others have sort of flown below the radar. One that might qualify as the latter is Ethel Ennis, who is still entertaining fans after a … Continue reading A Singer’s Singer – Ethel Ennis
Geezer Music Club 