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Showing posts from 2016

Interview: -- James Walsh (Gypsy)

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"Warning... Warning..." ~ Gypsy ~ Gypsy should be a classic rock staple everywhere.  The band had been fine-tuning their musical talents nightly, feasting on overlong house band hours before finally hitting the studio to record their 1970 self-titled debut. By this time, Gypsy was well-oiled and well-tested. And it showed. It was album rock with a shot of prog.  Cosmic vocals and harmonies with hits of jazz-psych.  Together, you have an almost majestic album. The band quickly followed with two more albums of equally enjoyable tracks while touring the world with songs just begging classic rock radio crankage.  By their fourth, and final album, Gypsy was long past frustrated and direction-torn. I was lucky to discover Gypsy while killing time on a recent vinyl-dig.  It was a total blind buy, struck by the beautiful album cover.  As any vinyl enthusiast will quickly tell you, there isn't a much better feeling than dropping the needle on a blind-buy and being plea

Interview:-- Bob James (Jazz Keyboardist - Arranger)

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"...keep making music with conviction and passion and hope for the best." ~ Bob James ~ The smooth jazz genre has had more than its share of eye-rolling albums that got rushed into stores by maypop musicians hoping to cash in.  All air. No substance. Bob James doesn't play that.  This is the good stuff.  When it comes to smooth jazz...Bob James knows how to ice a cake. Whether solo or surrounded by jazz cronies, Bob has never...ever...kept his Fender Rhodes keyboard on a short leash. Bob James is 76 now.  At least that's what he claims it says on his passport.  He's a multi-Grammy award winner.  And for over 40 years, Bob's success and longevity can be seen and heard, not just from his own albums or the abundant work he's laid down with other artists...but within the hip-hop community, as well.  Yes, Bob James' work has become somewhat of a "go-to sample cabinet" for DJs and hip-hop producers. Bob continues to create inspiring jazz

PANDORA...THE EXPLORER

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Let's do the Pandora Shuffle... ...and see what the fates allow. "Veracruz" Warren Zevon Excitable Boy (1978) I think God created Warren Zevon to help us all learn a bit of history and geography.  You know he's going to drop a name or place in somewhere...and I've come to appreciate his cultural awareness.  In this instance...the Spanish Civil War...delivered in an achingly beautiful Zevon way. Also, I believe he drops a pennywhistle into the arrangement. "Embraceable You" Barney Kessel Plays For Lovers (1953-1988) I have never met anyone that didn't like Barney Kessel...except for those who have not had the pleasure of hearing him play.  And that's a shame. "Sufficiently Breathless" Captain Beyond Sufficiently Breathless (1973) The title track has aged surprisingly well. Great arrangement. Has a groovy acoustic thing going on with a dusting of some tasty fuzz guitar. The group included member

Interview:-- Joan Staley (Actress - Classic Movies & Television)

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  "Elvis,  do you really want me to slap you?"  ~ Joan Staley ~     So my friends and I were talking about first crushes. First tv and movie crushes.  For me, it was easy.  It was Alma. (Joan Staley)   I broke into the double-digit age of 10 in 1993.  That was the summer I discovered my favorite Don Knotts movie while flipping thru cable one Saturday morning... "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." Everyone has seen it.  It was a funny haunted house story similar to an episode on Andy G. with a cast of familiar characters, trippy organ music, and the prettiest girl I had ever seen...Alma. She was beautiful alright.  I was love-stung so bad, I swear I could smell flowers coming out of the TV set.  And best of all, she was nice.  She didn't like the smart alec, the wise guy, or the show-off.  Alma was digging Luther (Don Knotts) and that just made her that much prettier.  And from then on... But unfortunately, time and puberty wouldn't let her wait

Interview:-- Gary Troxel (The Fleetwoods)

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"If you decide to call on me... ask for Mr. Blue." ~ The Fleetwoods ~ It was 1959.  Think about that.  There were no Beatles or Stones.  No Facebook.  No Isis.  And certainly no Pokemon Go.  It was a different time.  Hell, it was a different world!  But love was love.  And a love song was a love song.  Always has been. Now granted, the music might have been a bit more gentle, in nature, back then.  A little more polite.  But  there certainly was no less...yearn in the burn.  Or ache in the break.  It was all there.  The desire and the angst of being in love.  And The Fleetwoods were mapping out musical roads that weren't nearly as defined as they are today.  With a gorgeous melancholy sound,   The Fleetwoods were the only artists to score two #1 hits in 1959. Sure, the times are much different now...no doubt about it.  But love is love and not fade away. GARY TROXEL INTERVIEW  -  JULY 2016 The Fleetwoods Gretchen Christopher, Gary Troxel, Barbara El