The recent book looking at the career of one of the UK’s most innovative bands is Liam Newtons ‘10CC - The Worst Band in the World’
The title is of course ironic and is actually the title of one of…
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Influencing Music for Years To Come : The Rhythm and Blues Club Scene of 1960’s Britain
If you mention the following clubs: Eel Pie Island , Flamingo , Marquee , Ricky Tick , Kooks Kleek , California Ballroom etc etc - all are gone , many are forgotten..however in the 1960’s these London area music clubs…
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Bill Bryson and James Thurber - documenting the eccentricities of life
Bill Bryson - American by birth but living mostly in the UK has written widely about an American in the UK and experiencing the eccentricities and differences in culture - despite sharing the same language (mostly!) and cultural roots.
Check…
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The Chantels -the emotive sound of 50’s soul and pop
I came across this all girl group on a 1950/60’s soul and pop compilation album.
I had a vague awareness of them - however it was the track “Every Night (I Pray)” from 1958 ,with its descending piano line and…
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Dean Friedman - “American Lullaby” album : a wry requiem for the world we find ourselves in
Although released in 2021 - this album still resonates in a very real way today ,at this turbulent time in American society and global geopolitics.
As Dean describes in the liner notes:
“My latest album, “American Lullaby”, “reflects my personal…
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Cosimo Matassa -New Orleans recording studio owner and rhythm and blues visionary
You could argue that Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Recording Studio located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, became the New Orleans equivalent of the historic Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.
Opening in 1945 , the studio located at Rampart Street…
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The La’s - a spark of creativity influencing Brit Pop and beyond
The British band The La’s formed in Liverpool in 1983 - fronted by enigmatic guitarist, singer and songwriter Lee Mavers.
The term enigmatic describes Mavers’ dissatisfaction and the painstaking recording process of their self titled debut album.
The primary issue…
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Elon Musk - Achieving the Unachievable and the new book by Walter Issacson
Walter Isaacsons new book on Elon Musk gives an eye opening and at times- jaw dropping look at this controversial tech billionaire inventor, industrialist AND richest person on earth.
Isaacson shadowed Musk for two years in his every day work…
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Barbara Lynn “The Empress of Gulf Coast Soul” -A look back at this pioneering rhythm and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.
The name Barbara Lynn may not be recognized today - however, her chart topping 1962 hit “You’ll Lose A Good Thing” certainly will resonate with you when you hear it.
I discovered her on a blues and soul compilation record…
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Dean Friedman-“More Words & Music” album - a look at a revered American songwriter, whose work still resonates today
If you were around in the late 1970’s and early 80’s- you would have heard the very catchy 1977 hit “Ariel” by Dean Friedman on the radio.
You would also have heard contemporary artists in a similar singer-songwriter style such…
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