A while back I was listening to a song on an outstanding blog, Days Of Transition, and it got me to thinking -- always a perilous undertaking, but one that I keep attempting in spite of the danger. Anyhow, the song -- "We'll Meet Again," performed by British songbird Vera Lynn -- was so perfectly … Continue reading The Kitty Who Became A Songbird – Kitty Kallen
Tag: Vocal Jazz
Are The Resolution Blues Headed Your Way?
I have to be honest about it. I've never been particularly inclined toward making New Year's resolutions. That's not to say I haven't tried from time to time, but not so much lately. And it's certainly not because I lack faults to correct. I have a whole lot more than my share -- just ask … Continue reading Are The Resolution Blues Headed Your Way?
Album Of The Year
Here's the thing. I'm pretty sure that the way I go about picking an Album of the Year is different from that of most music bloggers -- or publications of any kind, for that matter. For one thing, I just pick from among those I've actually reviewed over the course of the year. I don't … Continue reading Album Of The Year
Maxine Sullivan – Swingin’ To Loch Lomond
A while back I wrote about bandleader Claude Thornhill, who is unfortunately less remembered than many of his contemporaries from that era, but was nevertheless a very important part of jazz history. He was an outstanding instrumentalist, composer, and arranger, but in addition to all that he was a shrewd judge of musical talent -- … Continue reading Maxine Sullivan – Swingin’ To Loch Lomond
Tony Martin — Crooner Or Cowboy?
I love to watch old Western movies on TV, but I have admit that I caught one the other day that affected me in a way the director probably didn't intend -- it made me laugh. It was a hokey film from 1956 called Quincannon, Frontier Scout, and the star was crooner Tony Martin. Martin … Continue reading Tony Martin — Crooner Or Cowboy?
Laura Lives On – Musically
Sometimes movies -- even classics -- end up being less remembered than the music contained within. A good example is the 1944 film, Laura, which is considered one of the best cinematic mysteries ever made and still has many fans, but probably isn't remembered as much as its timeless theme song. When producer/director Otto Preminger … Continue reading Laura Lives On – Musically
Jack Jones – Son To The Father
If you read my stuff with any regularity, you had to know this one was coming. After all, it was just last week that I generated a piece called Alan Jones - Father To The Son, and I even mentioned the possibility, so no surprise here. But that doesn't mean Jack's story is any less … Continue reading Jack Jones – Son To The Father
REVIEW: Angela Hagenbach – The Way They Make Me Feel
A number of years ago Angela Hagenbach became a fan of the sound of jazz legend Sarah Vaughan, and it inspired her to make an abrupt turn in her own musical career. Although the former model had already had some success as both an instrumentalist and a pop singer, she decided that she would dedicate … Continue reading REVIEW: Angela Hagenbach – The Way They Make Me Feel
REVIEW: The Aggregation – Groove’s Mood
I've always been partial to the music of the big-band era, even though its heyday was a little before my time. I sometimes even feel a little envy for anyone who was around in those days to experience the music first hand, but I always have to remind myself that even today there are still … Continue reading REVIEW: The Aggregation – Groove’s Mood
Al Martino Will Be Remembered
When I read that Al Martino had died recently, a number of thoughts went through my mind. Like a lot of people, I thought about his appearances in the Godfather movies -- not a lot of screen time, but memorable nonetheless. He played a mob-connected singer named Johnny Fontane, a character rumored to have been … Continue reading Al Martino Will Be Remembered
Geezer Music Club 