Twangville (Free subscription) | 09/28/2008
Some 30 years ago, when Springsteen released his seminal Darkness on the Edge of Town, John Lyon, better known as Southside Johnny did the same with his Hearts of Stone. Though the album didn’t sell all that well at the time years later Rolling Stone magazine would vote it as one of the best albums [...]
Somewhere on A1A (Free subscription) | 09/05/2008
1. O Fortuna from Carmina Burana… Boston Symphony 2. In the Groove… Howlin’ Wolf 3. Willie and the Hand Jive… Eric Clapton 4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYqoR8u9aIg… R.L. Burnside 5. Havana Moon… Chuck Berry 6. Gloomy [...]
The Independent (Free subscription) | 09/05/2008
Though less celebrated than his self-titled debut, the follow-up The Natch'l Blues may be Taj Mahal's best work. It's certainly his most consistent album, despite its diversity.
Matt Dentler's Blog (Free subscription) | 08/18/2008
Jerry Wexler died, at the age of 91, late last week. I'll be honest, I didn't realize the man was still alive. It's still sad news. I haven't been sure what to say here, and then I found this tribute from Rolling Stone, which kinda sums it up better than anyone else could. Wexler was more than a pioneer of...
The Independent (Free subscription) | 08/18/2008
The record producer Jerry Wexler was a champion of black music. He not only devised the term "Rhythm and Blues", but he also made some of the best records in the genre during his 22-year tenure at Atlantic Records, including "Shake, Rattle and Roll" by Big Joe Turner, "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "In The Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett....
Where's the Outrage? (Free subscription) | 08/17/2008
A friend of mine mentioned Jerry Wexler to me. I said who? Here’s what he wrote me - Bad week for R&B, what with Isaac Hayes and Jerry Wexler dying. Wexler was THE reason that Atlantic Records and Stax Records were different from Motown. Twenty essential Jerry Wexler recordings 1. Professor [...]
Matablog (Free subscription) | 08/16/2008
Jerry Wexler, one of the pivotal figures in the history of R&B, rock’n'roll and the U.S. music industry, passed away Friday at the age of 91. From Joel Selvin’s obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle : Wexler was the last living partner in the landmark record label, Atlantic Records, The label’s founder Ahmet Ertegun, who [...]
The Earth Times Online Newspaper (Free subscription) | 08/15/2008
NEW YORK, NY -- 08/15/08 -- Jerry Wexler, one of the prime architects of Atlantic Records -- as a visionary producer as well as a senior executive -- passed away early today at his home in Florida at the age of 91. A passionate jazz fan a..
Market Wire - Media and Entertainment (Free subscription) | 08/15/2008
NEW YORK, NY (MARKET WIRE) Jerry Wexler, one of the prime architects of Atlantic Records -- as a visionary producer as well as a senior executive -- passed away early today at his home in Florida at the age of 91.
Article Master (Free subscription) | 07/15/2008
Some of the greatest piano players in history became known for their proficiency in jazz. Technicality and a heavy reliance upon the ability of the musician to improvise makes jazz piano one of the hardest styles to learn. That does NOT mean, however, that it can’t be learned, but to get to the highest rungs [...]
BLUES TOWN (The City Of Blues) (Free subscription) | 07/03/2008
Eddie Vinson was a blues shouter extraordinaire in the style of Big Joe Turner and Wynonie Harris. Always an outstanding alto saxophonist, Vinson played jazz and blues with equal vigor. The improvisational skills learned from his years as a jazz musician combined with his traditional vocal style helped him achieve the status of an American original. The occasion here finds Vinson teamed up with veteran...
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine (Free subscription) | 06/18/2008
I've changed the jukebox songs. Big Joe Turner and the Bobby Fuller Four are now holding forth to the right.
casa de Charlotte della luna (Free subscription) | 06/14/2008
Tchoupitoulas Street photograph by me In the cool of the evening it’s pleasant to sit on the porch under the ceiling fan, sipping absinthe and listenin’ to Big Joe Turner. (click here for a video history of absinthe and how to properly enjoy.) Ah, yes, Friday evenin’ windin’ down in New Orleans….life is good. [...]
composite drawlings (Free subscription) | 05/19/2008
Your birthday today: You are too fond of "taking a chance" and should curb this tendency, as it will bring you unhappiness and restlessness. You waste precious efforts and energy in following that desire. You enjoy music and art ; like children, and your home is very dear to you. You probably have plenty in common, then, with 1944 Rita K. Grate. If you can't find her to compare notes, perhaps you might...
Popdose (Free subscription) | 05/15/2008
Originally, this fine blog entry was crafted exclusively for the awesome Popdose Statutory Rock List, but alas, as I am wont to do — such as right here in the far-too-long opener to this week’s Cold Shot, special Statutory Rock Edition — I ran at the keyboard wa-a-a-y too long and we decided to put [...]
