June 2009

Mahalia Jackson On Music

June 29, 2009

Nat Cole introduces Mahalia Jackson singing a brief yet soulful rendition of “Down By the Riverside” in 1957. “Blues are the songs of despair, but gospel songs are the songs of hope.” ~ Mahalia Jackson

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Family Time by Ziggy Marley (2009)

June 25, 2009

I have been a fan of Ziggy Marley ever since I first heard “Ziggly Marley & The Melody Makers” perform. Being a die hard Bob Marley fan, that owns everything he released on vinyl, I naturally was interested in checking out anything done by his family legacy. This new release by Ziggy in May 2009 [...]

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Harry Belafonte On Music

June 22, 2009

“You can cage the singer but not the song.” ~ Harry Belafonte

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Sonny Rollins, Maria Schneider win at jazz awards

June 17, 2009

By Charles J. Gans, Associated Press Writer – 38 mins ago NEW YORK – Jazz legend Sonny Rollins and big-band leader Maria Schneider each were triple winners at the Jazz Awards, but it was 90-year-old pianist Hank Jones who struck the most sentimental chord. Rollins, 78, collected awards for musician of the year and top tenor saxophonist [...]

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Billy Strayhorn On Music

June 15, 2009

Note: This 1965 video depicts Strayhorn performing, what is probably his most famous his composition, “Take The “A” Train.” “All music is beautiful” ~ William “Billy” Thomas Strayhorn

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Spin goes crazy with "Purple Rain" tribute album

June 11, 2009

By David J. Prince 1 hr 8 mins ago NEW YORK (Billboard) – Spin magazine is going crazy with its July issue, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Prince’s “Purple Rain“ with a comprehensive oral history of the film and album and a free downloadable tribute that features nine bands doing song-for-song covers of the record’s classic tracks. Dubbed “Purplish [...]

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Love Is by Ruben Studdard (2009)

June 11, 2009

I support the sophomore year American Idol winner 101%. It may not seem that way when you read some of the comments I am offering up on some of the tracks on his newest CD — but all in all this set was worth my hard earned cash and I would buy it again in [...]

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Sarah Vaughan On Music

June 8, 2009

CREDIT: This Sarah Vaughan clip is a an excerpt from the 1955 film (now in the public domain) “Rhythm and Blues Revue.” It was posted on YouTube by jazzvideoguy.tv “When I sing, trouble can sit right on my shoulder and I don’t even notice.” – Sarah Vaughan

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