Every era has a style of singing that captures the popularity of the public. Back in the day, you had to sound like Bing Crosby, a “high” Bing Crosby, or a “low” Bing Crosby. Then Frank Sinatra came along and…
Category: No One Asked My Opinion, But…
MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE
Since there has been music, there has been songs protesting about the condition of man. Moses declaring to Pharoah “Let my people go” may have been the first protest song recorded, starting a long tradition of people singing to be…
A MUSICAL MESSAGE FOR MOTHER’S DAY by Angela Johnson
One night, I woke up at 4 am, as one often does in their third trimester. After using the restroom for the umpteenth time that night, I realized that I was ruining my children. I had not been playing enough…
LET’S BOOGIE!
One of the greatest contributions to Western Civilization is undoubtedly the boogie blues groove. It is the marrow and pulse of most of the greatest jazz and rock albums. Without it, there would be no “swing,” as the “boogie woogie”…
THE BEAT OF THE BEATLES
Every generation has its canon of songs, and The Beatles have been on of the major contributors to today’s songbook. Like Joni Mitchell (another contributor to the canon), The Fab Four composed songs with clever melodies for musicians and thoughtful…
LET’S GET LYRICAL!!
Words are important. The beauty of them is that they can get much more specific than abstract things like sounds and colors. You can know exactly where you stand with someone by the words he or she says. I stopped…
IT’S “TOP TEN” TIME!!!
This is a great time to be a music fan. Not only is there a plethora of independent labels releasing exciting, fresh and new material, but long time labels are branching out and putting out albums my artists you may…
SENHOR BLUES…
I just got back from a trip to Portugal, and was thrilled by the musical and cultural wonders. Of all of the Latin speaking countries, Portugal gets overlooked, but it is really important for a variety of reasons. I’ve made…
CAPITOL JOYS!
I recently took my son in law to Washington DC in order for him to get a feel for the rich heritage that our Capitol has to offer. Here are some of the things every American needs to experience first…
LADIES WITH THE KEYS TO LIFE!
Since this month celebrates Mother’s Day, and we’re focusing on masters of the keyboard, it only seems fitting to make a list of some of the most important female artists on the piano and organ. Usually when you think of…