Mr. BB King...The Thrill Ain't Gone...

I was scouring the Internet last week and I learned that "Mr. Blues", BB King was releasing a new album this week.
That's right. BB King.
I have a four CD set of his dating back from his start and ends with cuts from 1991. It is a remarkable piece of music history.
I have it playing as I am writing this and although it is 'the blues", BB knows how to make you feel good about them.
I saw him in concert at our local Louisville Gardens  in the mid-eighties. His opening act was Millie Jackson. What a show!
My favorite BB cuts of all time include, "Muther Fuyer", "When It All Comes Down," "Never Make A Move Too Soon," ""Paying The Cost To Be The Boss," and the outstanding "The Thrill Is Gone."
I haven't reviewed the new lp yet. There may be a review in the future. I have heard samples of all the cuts and let me say "Lucille", his Gibson guitar has never sounded better.
Not bad for an 80+ year old guy who still tours, huh?

 (Reprinted from 08/28/2008)

Frank Sinatra...

I was born in the project area of the city and in the '60s, my exposure to any other ethnic groups were null and void.
As I grew older and attended a mostly white school, I made friends of different colors and my horizons broadened. One of those broadened horizons was my taste in music.
To make a long story short, I became a huge fan of Mr. Sinatra. When I first heard the Reprise version of "Strangers in the Night," I was floored. 'Ol Blue Eyes had a way with his phrasing of lyrics that to this day is untouched.
I now own "The Capital " greatest hits collection, "Reprise," and "For Lovers Only."
You might say I am loaded with Franks (ahem)

(Reprinted from 8/6/2008)

Neil Diamond...So Good, So Good, So Good...

I was watching "The Big Bang Theory" the other day , and I was surprised to hear that two of the characters were big fans of Neil Diamond.
  Neil Diamond???
  Why not.
  Mr. Diamond has been a fave of mine sine the mid-70s with classics like 'Sweet Caroline", and "Cracklin' Rosie" and "Song Sung Blue" and "Solitary Man" and "'Play Me"...and...and...
  Plain old fashioned classics.
  It is amazing to me that he is still performing all over the country and still drawing crowds.
Not only is he a great singer with a distinct voice, he also writes for others.  Remember the Monkees classic "Day Dream Believer ?"    Written by Diamond.
  My favorite Diamond song?  ""I Am I Said."

Church Songs...

When I was 13 or 14 years of age, I sang in the church youth choir.
  The Stoner Memorial Youth Choir to be exact.
  Actually my sister Nita and I both sang in that group (My brother Wayne was an usher...another story for another day...)
  I still remember the songs we used to sing,,,
"Peace Be Still", "The Name Of Jesus", "Beams of Heaven"...
  We were a pretty good group.  We even sang  on a local TV show called "Sing Ye."
   I remember having to walk to church...from 3121 Del Park Terrace to 1121 W. Oak Street...about a mile and a half...
"Memories. light the corners of my mind..."