Can anyone have too much Duke Ellington? I have over 200 recordings, and all I can say is “MORE!” Here are two wonderful capsules of the band in different eras, united by sound and vision. In the Camelot days of…
Month: June 2014
The Pink Floyd & Syd Barrett Story
Before they became one of the most famous progressive rock bands, Pink Floyd was a psychedelic pop band, lead by the musical visionary Syd Barrett(1946-2006). The history of this forgotten part of the band’s background is uncovered here, with revelatory…
Bianca Rossini: Kiss of Brasil
Got a heart for the classic bossa nova sound of Jobim and Gilberto? I think that singer/songwriter Bianca Rossini got the baton passed to her as she delivers some of the best fresh samba sounds around. She’s got a breathy…
Andy McKee: Mythmaker
Guitarist Andy McKee made a name for himself a few years ago with a Youtube video of his song “Drifting” that went viral. It’s easy to see why-the technique and creativity of the artist playing the neck and body of…
Alice Cooper: Super Duper-Welcome to My Nightmare
“Those who are excited by vice and bored by virtue have obviously not had enough of either one.” GK Chesterton. “Be careful what you want, because you’re probably going to get it.” Somerset Maugham Yeah, I know-what does theatrical rock…
Keith Jarrett & Charlie Haden: Last Dance
Keith Jarrett’s piano has joined forces with Charlie Haden’s bass in a multitude of settings over the decades, going back even to Jarrett’s early trio days, and then doing their 2010 duet session in Jasmine. Here, from a session recorded in…
The Spinners@The Del Mar Fair 06.26.14
Here’s the joy of summertime-going to music festivals and county fairs to see bands all together in one day. This lovely day by the beach in Del Mar, the Fair featured sets by a Beatles Tribute Band (The Fab Four-Not…
RINGERS OF THE WEEK…Johnny O’Neal: Live at Smalls, Frank Lacy: Live at Smalls
I’ve only been to NYC once, and didn’t hit Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich Village. By the sound of these two albums, I made a big mistake. These two albums culled from gigs at the club are absolute gems! Pianist…
GOTTA LOVE THIS OVERLOOKED GUY…Glenn Zottola: Clifford Brown Remembered, A Jazz Life-Glenn Zottola’s Story
One of the things I love about jazz is that there’s always some artist that you’ve heard as a sideman, but never realized how great he was until someone draws your attention to him. Here’s a classic case: trumpeter Glenn…
The LA Treasures Project: Live at Alvas Showroom
Here are Exhibit A, B and C why LA has some of the best music in the world. Recorded in that swinging town of San Pedro at a music store, this gig has the home grown Hamilton-Clayton Jazz Orchestra in…