I note here that Phil Spector has died – in prison – at 81. While I appreciate his Wall of Sound accomplishments, I’ve always refrained from writing about him because he was also a murderous creep. So maybe we’ll leave it at that. Since today … Continue reading New Music Revue – 1/18/21
In case you’re not aware, an upside-down American flag is a distress signal As you might imagine, as an American citizen, it’s been difficult for me to focus on blogging much this week. Or for that matter, on much of anything. I try to keep … Continue reading Winter in America
I can think of no more fitting end to this annus horribilis (to quote the Queen) than to smash our way out of it. Thanks to all the bloggers who posted good music that we could all enjoy and helped us realize that yes, there … Continue reading Auld Lang Syne
Rolling Stone: Leslie West, the towering guitarist who created the hard-rock milestone “Mississippi Queen” with his band Mountain, died Wednesday morning. West’s brother, Larry West Weinstein, confirmed the musician’s death to Rolling Stone. He was 75. The cause of death was cardiac arrest. On Monday, … Continue reading An ME Tribute to Leslie West
Every year for the past couple of years I’ve posted some favorite Christmas songs. Somehow in this turbulent year, I think we can say that the Grinch (COVID) “hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same!” Here’s a … Continue reading And So This is Christmas 2020
“You sing about the woman, but you are really also talking about all the kicking around you’ve had, the humiliations that you’ve had, the throwing out of doors you’ve had, the hunger that you’ve had. You think about all these things, but you’re still singing … Continue reading Ray Charles – Part IV (final)
“Ray Charles is the only genius in our business.” – Frank Sinatra. “Soul is when you take a song and make it part of you – a part that’s so true, so real, people think it must have happened to you… It’s like electricity- we … Continue reading Ray Charles – Part III – Busted
Cigarettes and smack (heroin) are the two truly addictive habits I’ve known. You might add women,” he said. “My obsession centers on women—did then (when young) and does now. I can’t leave them alone.” – Ray Charles Once again Ray was on the move. One … Continue reading Ray Charles – Part II – Life on the Road
For several years now, the Music Enthusiast has done a series on a notable artist at the end of the year. Previous years have included Elvis, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, my tour with the Allmans I’ve done almost nothing about Ray Charles. Time to rectify … Continue reading Ray Charles – Part 1
Wikipedia: “Robin Trower was born in Catford, London, England, but grew up in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. In 1962, he formed a group that became The Paramounts, later including Westcliff High School pupil Gary Brooker. The Paramounts disbanded in 1966 to pursue individual projects. During this time, Trower created … Continue reading A Six-Pack of Robin Trower
