Monthly Archives: March 2011

In Praise of Helen Humes

Posted on March 30, 2011 by

I want to put a good word in for Helen Humes. Check out this bit of unadulterated joy – Sonny Terry on the harp, Brownie McGhee and T-Bone Walker on the guitars, Willie Dixon on bass, Memphis Slim on piano, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, Jazz | Leave a comment

Fly

Posted on March 25, 2011 by

I’ve been listening to Nick Drake on and off for a long time. But Helen – Mom to Billy – has just gotten into him – Nick Drake, that is. She’s been playing our records of him over and over. … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Rock n Roll | Leave a comment

Dying to Sophisticated Lady

Posted on March 23, 2011 by

There’s a nice article from The New Yorker about the Duke and race. It ends with this sublime anecdote: ‘Two years before Ellington died, in 1972, Yale University held a gathering of leading black jazz musicians in order to raise … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday, Myself

Posted on March 22, 2011 by

Everyone is entitled to a vision of paradise, especially on one’s birthday. Pretty much this is mine. Ben Webster on tenor, Barney Bigard on clarinet, Rex Stewart on trumpet, Tricky Sam Nanton on the slide trombone, Ray Nance on the … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Bach!

Posted on March 22, 2011 by

This actually is a good saying of Bach’s: “There’s nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.” Right now I’m learning Minuet One. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Classical, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Staples Come In

Posted on March 20, 2011 by

I think The Band is a great band. But with The Staples they are exceptionally good! Mavis has this hard soul voice. And Papa Staples has this soothing soul sound. Wow, Robbie Robertson is good. Look for his guitar in … Continue reading →

Posted in Rock n Roll, Soul, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Arthur McBride

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

One of my favorite ballads of all time is Arthur McBride, which most of us know because of Paul Brady’s pure, sweet version. It’s about two cousins walking along on Christmas morning who are accosted by British army recruiters. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment