This book came out in 2010 and is a great look at the 50 year recording career of audio engineer Phill Brown.
Even though the name may not be familiar to everyone apart from those in the recording industry -…
Read more
"Como's Golden Records" LP from 1958 and the vocal talent of Perry Como
This album covers the smooth gentle sound of this vocal talent from the 40’s and 50’s - and is a good starting point.
There are novelty songs so typical of the 50’s - but also the warm and relaxing hits…
Read more
The Swinging Scat Jazz Sound of Cab Calloway
The wonderful 1974 LP “Cab Calloway Classics - Hi De Ho Man” is a great collection of tunes that cover the high point of Cab’s career in the 1930’s and 40’s.
Performing regularly at the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem…
Read more
Bomber - Len Deighton : a granular look at 24 hours of a WW2 RAF bombing raid
This book -published in 1970 , recounts in devastating detail the 24-hour story of a WW2 allied bombing raid.
Its part documentary and part fiction - however the granular detail in the narrative of the horror and injury to both…
Read more
Chisaren - smooth and memorable melodies from this soulful original new artist
Having been around when Sade entered the scene in the early 80’s ,in my opinion Chisaren reminds me of that same enduring quality and effortless style-but in a more contemporary aesthetic.
The songwriting is strong, the melodies are memorable and…
Read more
Althea & Donna “Uptown Top Ranking” (1978) - a quirky accidental hit
Althea & Donna’s quirky reggae number 1 hit “Uptown Top Ranking” from 1978 ,takes its place as one of those slightly unusual singles released around this time in the UK.
There’s an innocence in the vocals and delivery (they were…
Read more
Landman - highly entertaining and slightly improbable
“Landman” currently on Paramount Plus is a contemporary look at Texas oilfield life.
Its better and a welcome update to “Dallas” from 40 years ago - no doubt about that.
It reminded me of “Breaking Bad” in the Texas oilfields…
Read more
Patrick Hernandez “Born To Be Alive” -a memorable anthem of late 70’s disco and a precursor to the 80's
In 1979 in the UK the charts were awash with a cross section of edgy New Wave (Squeeze, Elvis Costello, XTC,Nick Lowe) as well as pounding disco classics.
The memorable Patrick Hernandez hit “Born To Be Alive” seemed to be…
Read more
From Bebop to Hip-Hop - the incredible talent of Quincy Jones
Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones.
This excellent book outlines his incredible path in music and the arts.
The struggles, the intense drive and work ethic, the demons, the health scares- are all covered.
What’s incredible is that his work…
Read more
The Smooth Reggae Sound of Barry Biggs “Sideshow” 1977
In the late 70’s UK music charts, amongst the soul, disco, rock , pop ,singer songwriter ,punk and new wave artists - Barry Biggs had a chart topping number 3 smooth reggae hit with “Sideshow”.
What’s different about this track…
Read more