Reprise: Friday Forgotten Song: Marty Robbins’ El Paso
I know why I think of this old song. Usually, the month of March does it to me. Since 1978, it is the month when I…
I know why I think of this old song. Usually, the month of March does it to me. Since 1978, it is the month when I…
Written by the underrated composer, arranger, and pianist Dave Grusin, the theme song, a seemingly lost art these days, had a distinctly melodious and infectious 80s mood to it. It has proven to be Mr. Grusin’s, another of Jazz Fusion’s durable players from the 70s, most recognizable of arrangements. If Dave Grusin’s name doesn’t mean much at first glance, you’ve most likely heard a few of his movie scores.
Since I’m back focusing on album covers of late, ones that featured the color black as a platform, along with Jazz Fusion and the 70s once more, I thought to…
Sampled years later by Will Smith for the background in his ‘Summertime’ ditty, among others, Summer Madness had to be one of the unforeseen strains to come out of the Light of World LP on its release in ’74. I think I flattened every groove on my copy of the album back then before the year was out, the deepest for this track. Likely one of the most successful B-side numbers from the days where the 45 was still king, it did make quite a mark on radio air. An instrumental that played across R&B, jazz, and pop stations, at least around SoCal for sure.
Way back when, I had friends who’d argue endlessly about the quality and achievements of their favorite music groups in comparison with others. None more so than with those groups that transitioned with new members over the years. The music labels were not about to let go of a popular (read money-making) group name just because the lead singer would head out on a solo career (which they also managed).
Like anyone else, I’m tied to the era that spawn me. This readily applies to the music I listen to, as well. My wife more than once…
With today’s opening of Skyfall, the 23rd in the famed and long-running James Bond series, and last year’s passing of one of the all-time great film composers, John…
Like some, certain memories are tied with the music of the time. During this particular period, I was in my Jazz Fusion phase and the artists in and around the genre. Yet, still very much near the R&B stylings of the day. And with summer of 2012 coming to an end tomorrow, there is one song and artist that comes back to my mind’s eye whenever the autumnal equinox cycles passed.
As I mentioned some weeks ago, I remain a fan of the ahead of its time, little seen, and under-appreciated masked crime fighter TV series from…
Recently, author Joseph Maddrey concluded a wonderful set of articles with his final entry of a quite splendid southwestern trip he undertook and cataloged. His Four Corners Tour series looked, both pictorially and historically, at some decidedly beautiful locations in that region (a number of which were utilized in some classic and iconic films). It a worthy piece of writing and I highly recommend it to my readers. What was almost as interesting was his inclusion at article’s end of a memorable music video from the distinct period of big hair and padded shoulders that was the 80s. Mike and the Mechanics’ Silent Running being that song…
Cover version (AKA cover song, or simply cover) – a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song. Forty…
Sometimes, life has a way of simultaneously bringing a wistful smile to your face while throwing you for the proverbial loop. So it was with me…
On the eve of the L.A. Times Festival of Books (this year the event is on my wife’s university stomping grounds on U.S.C.’s campus), the subject…
Way back in the day (which means either in the 60s or 70s for folks my age), I once had a portable record player. [BTW, those…