112 years ago yesterday (9-11-1914) WC Handy published a song that would become a pop and jazz standard - St. Louis Blues. It was one of the first blues songs to "succeed as a pop song and remains a fundamental part of jazz musicians' repertoire." Handy said he had been inspired by a chance meeting with … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday – St. Louis Blues
Tag: Bing Crosby
Great American Songbook Saturday – Blue Skies
Blue Skies is probably my favorite Irving Berlin song. I chose this song because it was on this day in 1976 that the Muppet Show premiered. One of the first times I heard the song was when it was sung by a bunch of Muppet Prairie Dogs on the show. Berlin composed the song in … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday – Blue Skies
Great American Songbook Saturday
One of the greatest men to tickle the ivories was born today 101 years ago. Oscar Peterson was born on August 15, 1925. He was born in Canada and is considered to be one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. He has released more than 200 recordings, is a winner of eight Grammy … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday
Turntable Talk #51 – Singly Under-Appreciated
This is my contribution for Round #51 of Turntable Talk presented by Dave Ruch of A Sound Day. As I have stated in the past, this is one of my favorite features to write for. He always comes up with interesting topics for us to write about and this month is no exception. As a … Continue reading Turntable Talk #51 – Singly Under-Appreciated
Song Lyric Sunday
It is Sunday once again and it is time once again for Song Lyric Sunday, hosted by Jim Adams. This week's challenge is to feature a song included in the “Great American Songbook.” The topic was suggested by my friend Nancy of the Elephant’s Trunk aka The Sicilian Storyteller. For someone like me, who loves … Continue reading Song Lyric Sunday
Tune Tuesday – Red Sails in the Sunset
Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Birthday to Nat King Cole! Nat King Cole recorded somewhere in between 1,400 to more than 2,000 songs during his 28-year career. He was an incredibly prolific artist for Capitol Records, scoring 150 hits on the Billboard charts and leaving behind a massive legacy that includes jazz recordings, pop vocals, and, in … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Red Sails in the Sunset
A Holiday Record
Every year around November 1st, the "Defrosting of Mariah Carey" memes start to post on social media. It's become quite the joke. Back in the day, Bing Crosby was the "King of Christmas." I suppose that title today would go to Michael Buble'. However, the undisputed "Queen of Christmas" has got to be Mariah Carey. … Continue reading A Holiday Record
Turntable Talk #43 – Spooky Tunes
It's time once again for Turntable Talk. This is the 43rd round and since it will begin around Halloween, Dave from A Sound Day asked us to "pick a song that you like that is either about a scary story or person, or just sounds kind of spooky or scary to you." What do you … Continue reading Turntable Talk #43 – Spooky Tunes
Happy 79th Birthday, Pop!
If you have read my blogs in the past, you know that it consists of a mixture of pop culture things (like movie, TV and music thoughts) and personal things (radio stories, school memories, and things from my childhood). As I thought about today's blog topic, I realized that without this man in my life … Continue reading Happy 79th Birthday, Pop!
May 29, 1942 – A Holiday Classic
It was 83 years ago today that the man who became known as "the voice of Christmas" recorded a classic. The song that he recorded would forever be connected with his name. The song was written by the great Irving Berlin for the film Holiday Inn. Now you know who and what song I am … Continue reading May 29, 1942 – A Holiday Classic
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 