By Roger Crane, the Song Scout Introduction What is an overlooked but delightful song? Well, it is one that is inexplicably ignored, one that is eminently revivable but, for whatever reason, is seldom performed and rarely encountered. Some songs, of course, are obscure because they should be but, for each of those there are many… Read More Obscure but Worthy: Looking at Revivable Songs, “My Resistance Is Low”
By Roger Crane, the Song Scout Background/Discussion Jazz players have an expression “too hip for the room,” meaning the music is too good to be commercial. Popularity and quality are separate attributes and, only occasionally, mesh, especially in the world of music. Hoagy Carmichael had already proven 15 years earlier with “Stardust” that he could… Read More Keeping the GAS (Great American Songbook) Flame Burning: “Skylark”
By Roger Crane, the Song Scout BACKGROUND DISCUSSION At one time “Stardust” was the most recorded song. That time has long passed but it remains a most beloved entry in the Great American Songbook (GAS). Although the song was published in 1929, according to Richard Sudhalter, author of his biography, Hoagy Carmichael had been… Read More Keeping the GAS (Great American Songbook) Flame Burning: “Stardust”
Teka So Many Stars (Blue in Green Productions) By Brian Arsenault I think my biggest miss of 2013 may have been not hearing Teka’s marvelous bossa nova infused album So Many Stars. If you missed it too, here’s another chance. Especially for those of us in northern climes in this cold, cold endless winter. Bossa… Read More CD Review of the Day: Teka’s “So Many Stars”
Of West Coast Girls By Brian Arsenault The Left Coast is not taken seriously enough by the New York centric jazz “world” as a producer of any jazz, but maybe particularly female jazz singers. Of course, Queen Bentyne is based there now but she’s late of Manhattan Transfer so the East Coast still claims her.… Read More Record Rack: Lyn Stanley, Lisa Engelken
Two Songbirds and the American Songbook By Brian Arsenault The so-called American Songbook doesn’t get old. It gets better. Because artists of the day keep reinterpreting and expanding it. The branches of the tree grow gracefully and the songbirds perch higher. Robin Bessier other side of forever (Whispering River) In On the Road, Sal Paradise… Read More Record Rack: Robin Bessier, Eliane Elias (and a few words for Boones the Cat)
Three Queens, All Aces By Brian Arsenault This is a time of remarkable female jazz singers. So many who are so good. Undoubtedly changes in social mores have increased the pool of women willing to run the risks of being a jazz singer and the industry‘s willingness to accept them. But I think there’s more… Read More Record Rack: Tine Bruhn & Johnny O’Neal, Jackie Ryan and Karen Souza
Halie Loren Stages (White Moon Productions) By Brian Arsenault It’s 2 a.m. when I put on Halie Loren’s reissue Stages, so I keep the volume low as to not bother Kath. Doesn’t matter. Loren’s voice comes through soft but contralto clear as always; impeccable phrasing, melodious poetry emerging from the little player on the cabinet.… Read More CD Review: Halie Loren’s “Stages”
By Don Heckman Christmas caroling was a regular seasonal activity in my young life. Growing up in an Eastern Pennsylvania rust belt city, singing carols while slip-sliding our way across icy sidewalks was as necessary to the holiday as going to Mass on Christmas eve. In a way, it was an equally necessary counter to… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: Sing! Sing! Sing!
