Also from the jazz world, both Frank Wess and Boyd Lee Dunlop have passed away.
Wess has been a fixture on the scene for decades. He released a wonderful new album "Magic 101" just this year, with a follow-up in the can. It's such a wonderful album. I may have made it my Pick of the Week when it came out on emu. The music had an energy and a life that had me all kinds of nostalgic of how I used to feel when I was first getting into jazz and bringing home CDs by Tyner and Garland and any number of Blue Note and Prestige/Riverside recordings... it took me back to those early days of my jazz listening and of my life. Here's a review of that album...
Boyd Lee Dunlop is Frankie Dunlop's brother. Frankie, a drummer, had a decent career, playing with both Monk and Mingus (among others). Boyd Lee, a pianist, never saw he career take off, mostly playing local joints in Buffalo and working day jobs in town. He released his first album just last year, and a follow-up this year. In between those recordings, he suffered a heart attack, so he'd been having his health problems. A real nice comeback story, in addition to some enjoyable music. More background on Dunlop and his music...
So sad - just little younger than me. Also, I had no idea about his battle with cancer or his musical pedigree (I loved the Secret Machines' first two albums).
I think the Everly Brothers have been underrated in their influence upon the Beatles, for example, amongst others, including Paul Simon. The were playing 'Beatles' riffs several years before Please, Please Me etc. RIP Phil
I've just been reading some of the articles on Pete Seeger's life - besides music his story also tells the story of the shifting politics of the last six decades in the USA, from civil rights activist on a major march in the 1950s, along with being banned, and initially sentenced to a year in prison, for un-American activities to playing at the inauguration of President Obama in 2009. What a person and what a loss
We were very saddened to just read of Hoffman's passing, too. His acting was very much appreciated here. And while it is common, upon a person's death, for people to begin professing what a nice and kindhearted person the recently passed was, we have no difficulty imagining that, in Hoffman's instance, the compliments are likely true.
Maggie Estep at 50. Only slightly music related (MTV, slam poetry), but I enjoyed her slams , her books (mystery novels) and I had been reading her blog.
That sucks. Here's a longer article about Harold Ramis. The man wrote, directed and/or starred in Animal House, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Vacation, Groundhog Day, and many others. He was also the first lead writer on SCTV. I have spent many, many hours enjoying his work over the years. RIP.
Ramis always seemed like the type of guy who was crazy underrated, but all the tributes I'm seeing already tells me I was very wrong in that impression. Everyone apparently knew how amazing he was!
Apparently while taking my son to school, the radio played a portion of GWAR's cover of Billy Ocean's "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" and my son said "this is my favorite song!".
Comments
Wess has been a fixture on the scene for decades. He released a wonderful new album "Magic 101" just this year, with a follow-up in the can. It's such a wonderful album. I may have made it my Pick of the Week when it came out on emu. The music had an energy and a life that had me all kinds of nostalgic of how I used to feel when I was first getting into jazz and bringing home CDs by Tyner and Garland and any number of Blue Note and Prestige/Riverside recordings... it took me back to those early days of my jazz listening and of my life. Here's a review of that album...
http://www.birdistheworm.com/frank-wess-magic-101/
Boyd Lee Dunlop is Frankie Dunlop's brother. Frankie, a drummer, had a decent career, playing with both Monk and Mingus (among others). Boyd Lee, a pianist, never saw he career take off, mostly playing local joints in Buffalo and working day jobs in town. He released his first album just last year, and a follow-up this year. In between those recordings, he suffered a heart attack, so he'd been having his health problems. A real nice comeback story, in addition to some enjoyable music. More background on Dunlop and his music...
http://www.birdistheworm.com/boyd-lee-dunlop-the-lake-reflections/
35 years old. Cancer.
Craig
http://bangordailynews.com/2014/01/04/news/nation/phil-everly-of-legendary-rock-group-the-everly-brothers-dies-at-74/
74 - thats just way to soon.
Crying In The Rain
ETA: Bye Bye Love - (seems to be from 1957)
Here with the Danish Jazz legend Svend Asmussen ( who will be 98 on february 26.)
Alice Babs with the Swe-Danes
- And with Duke Ellington:
Alice Babs - Almighty God (Praise God and Dance)
- May "the golden voice of Sweden" rest in peace.
Apparently a heart attack at age 50. Sad.
six. (not under!)
eight.
Craig
Bob Casale of Devo
Craig
Paco was one of the best acustic guitar player the world has ever seen.
I remember the night in Copenhagen with the dynamic guitar trio, as was it yesterday:
Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin - Mediterranian Sun Dance Live
- Yesterday I was searching my library for Robert Ashley, but I never came around to listen to any of it.
What a strange coincidence.
May he rest in peace.
Link to CNN's article: http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/17/showbiz/music/obit-stooges-scott-asheton-dies/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Apparently while taking my son to school, the radio played a portion of GWAR's cover of Billy Ocean's "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" and my son said "this is my favorite song!".
I'm so, so proud.
Craig
http://louderthanwar.com/dave-jennings-music-journalist-rip/