If Herbie Nichols is remembered for anything, it’s probably for composing one of Billie Holiday’s signature songs “Lady Sings The Blues.” Problem is, Nichols is all but totally forgotten today, even though he recorded a handful of seminal EPs and an album for the Blue Note record label between 1955 and 1956. For the 30 […]
Song Of The Day – “Bloop Bleep” by Gary McFarland
Gary McFarland towed the line between samba infused light jazz and orchestral mood music. He was a vibist from California who was known as much for his vibe playing as he was for his arranging and orchestrations for others. After serving in the army where he took up trombone, trumpet and keyboards, McFarland settled on […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Karn Evil 9 1st Impression” by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
There was a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. I’m not talking about the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Hadrosaurus, or even your garden variety Pterodactyls. These dinosaurs wore coats of proggy sound typified by 20 minute epic-length, multi-movement suites of music. These were dinosaurs that really knew how to play their instruments. Dinosaur’s with classical training, and […]
Song Of The Day – “Down By The Riverside” by Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery
It was a summit between the leading purveyor of the Hammond B-3 organ, “The Incredible” Jimmy Smith, and one of greatest jazz guitarists of all time, Wes Montgomery. And together, they unleashed not one classic album, but two. They didn’t call him “Incredible” for nothing. Jimmy Smith was the single most influential jazz organ player […]
Today in Rock History – January 5
1966, The Beatles record overdubs onto the film The Beatles at Shea Stadium. That night, John Lennon goes nightclubbing with ’50s rocker P.J. Proby. 1967, Pink Floyd appeared at The Marquee Club, London, England. 1967, During The Beatles Sgt Pepper sessions at Abbey Road in London, George Harrison on lead guitar and John Lennon on […]
Today in Rock History – January 4
1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience played at the Bromel Club, Bromley, England. It was the first of what would be over 240 gigs in 1967, including many dates with two shows per night. 1967, The Doors released their self-titled debut album The Doors. Unique packaging of the album included each band member’s bio. 1968, The […]
Song Of The Day – “Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin” by The Mothers Of Invention
It’s Mother’s Day and you should always listen to your MOTHERS! Nobody and I mean absolutely nobody sounded like The Mothers Of Invention back in 1966 when they released their second album Absolutely Free. The Mothers offered their own brand of compositional complexity, out of the ordinary instrumentation, Doo Wop harmonies and Free Jazz wig-out […]
Today in Rock History – December 26
1964, The Beatles started a three week run at number one on the singles chart with “I Feel Fine.” It was the group’s sixth chart topper of the year in which they had 30 entries on the chart, giving them a total of 18 weeks at the top of the charts. 1964, The Rolling Stones […]
Song Of The Day – “Poem 58” by Chicago Transit Authority
The fact that Chicago Transit Authority was the horn band of the late 1960s has obscured the fact that Chicago was also one hell of a guitar band. Proof positive is this somewhat obscure track from their eponymously titled debut album from 1969. (Play the track and continue reading.) This song has it all! The […]
Song Of The Day – “Doing The Santa Claus” by Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns
Christmas “Nawlins” style, and one of my all-time favorite holiday records, to boot! Originally released in 1962 on the Ace label, Twas The Night Before Christmas is a hoot to listen to with some of the coolest Christmas songs this side of The French Quarter. We gave this album a spin at our weekly vinyl […]
