Thursday, March 31, 2011

Walter Brennan: Quite A Unique Actor

Time to write about moviedom. This blog is about a very clever actor by the name of Walter Brennan. When I was a young guy I saw Walter Brennan in many films...westerns, mysteries...all kinds of stuff. He had a wily way about him and he brought many dimensions of creativity to his character roles. A sleek and powerful man, this guy was. He could take on all kinds of roles...cowhands, military officers and sly businessmen. In so many ways, Brennan was a lot of fun to watch. A very strong acting job was created by Walter Brennan when he worked in 1946 as the rather tough old guy Clanton in the interesting multi-layered film, 'My Darling Clementine.' John Ford did a fine job on that project. John Ford Westerns were unique because of their intense style. Also, I had a lot of fun watching Walter Brennan in the amusing show, 'The Real McCoys' which achieved nice success in the merry '50s. Brennan passed away in 1974 because of emphysema. He was quite an interesting soul in the world of the actors.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Merle Haggard: The 'Okie' With Greatness

Deep down in me in my original Southwest Georgia male soul I am a big fan of what some guys call the "real" country music. Johnny Cash had this kind of greatness. But I figure one of the best of this group is the incredible Merle Haggard. The man had so much bristling, strong passion and he is powerful...he really charges you up when you hear his classic songs. Today was so great so I decided to dig Merle Haggard's two great ones...'Okie from Muscogee' and the strong-beat number...'Workin' Man's Blues.' This music brings back so many fantastic memories of the fine souls of Southwest Georgia. There is so much meaning in the fact of where one comes from and believe me a talented individual like Merle Haggard can really bring that good feeling out.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Willie Nelson, Lucas Nelson: Great Blues

Willie Nelson and his son Lucas make mighty powerful music. Kinda cool, rainy times now so I figured I needed a down-home, pick-me-up. Gave a listen to Willie's son Lucas playing a great tune.....'It's Floodin' Down in Texas.' Wow, this young Nelson guy can make such fine blues music. On this number he knocks us out with a real emotional, so focused passionate performance. Good blues music is a powerful expression of the soul and believe me in this instance, Dad, Willie and Son, Lucas do a truly great job. The music of the Nelson Clan gives us plenty of needed energy on this, the last Sunday in the merry month of March.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Bill Holman: Exponent of Jazz Modernism

It's so marvelous to hear the mighty big band music of the so creative guy...the one and only Bill Holman. This man can do amazing things with the complex mode that is contemporary jazz music. Bill Holman has new sound experiences that are sensational in their spirited passion. His deft arranging is mind-boggling. Whether he is retooling soulful Lennon and McCartney numbers or Thelonious Monk compositions, this fellow Bill Holman comes up with great dollops of creativity. He is like watching a play by Edward Albee. Yes, he engenders a profound intensity that overwhelms. Some portions of his work possess a pinch of Charlie Parker and that seduces us jazz fans even more. Bill Holman is a jazz super fellow.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Boss Tenor Jazz Work Rewards Listeners

Jazz tenor saxophone artists are a wonderful group of souls. One of the best mainstream tenor men...indeed a boss tenor man...is the very strong one, Gene Ammons. He has a giant, full-tone and a grand sense of improvisatory mastery. His approach is kind of what one might call "straight ahead" for there is very little of the abrupt picaresque quality in his passionate playing. Listened this evening to a super rendition of the fine song, 'We'll Be Together Again' and also I loved enjoying the resilient jazz standard, 'Stompin' At The Savoy.' This composition has so much good kick. The song is punctuated with clever accenting of phrases when Gene Ammons performs it. Also I noticed when the rather clever trumpet artist, Donald Byrd, comes along then the huge boss tenor sound of Ammons transforms itself into an even bigger bundle of listening fun. Donald Byrd always conjures up good style. The jazz sounds of the superior soul, Gene Ammons...my...they are marvelous.

Junior Mance: Delight of a Piano Performer

Fine, kickin' jazz piano is lots of fun. Listening today to a delight of a jazz piano guy....Junior Mance. He has a blues style that is full of decisive passion. The song I so much enjoyed today was 'Don't Cha Hear Me Callin' To Ya' and my ...it was so right for this lovely, sunshiney day. The firm, pulsating and rather percussive keyboard work of Junior Mance feels remarkable. Just like other vigorous piano men like Horace Silver and Oscar Peterson, yes, Horace Silver and Oscar Peterson can thrill us with their music, too. Junior Mance has the real energy needed to charm us with grand and profound jazz.

Stan Kenton Big Band Enchants All of Us

Jazz time today. I got excited with this beautiful warm weather. Feelin' super! Been listening to tremendous jazz music. Just finished enjoying the brash and terrific Stan Kenton Big Band. The sound is wild...Gigantic sheets of sound...fine brass work and saxes and a beat that engages one's mind. The tunes that got me going in this Stan Kenton time were 'Limehouse Blues' and 'Harlem Nocturne.' Superior work by the Kenton aggregation.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Today Is A Sad Sixth Anniversary

Today is very sad. Our youngest son Gary passed away six years ago...Sunday, March 13, 2005. He had Stage Four Esophageal Cancer. It started in the esophagus and then soon spread all over the body. It was horrible to see one's son so decimated by this grotesque disease. There are many wonderful memories of this marvelous man. He had a gigantic amount of passion in all of his life's activities. He loved the arts and writing so very much. It was great to see him develop his sense of creative thinking so vigorously. Since my background is in writing and editing it is plain to see that we were so proud of his love for writing. He also loved music with an incredible strong interest in alternative rock. He loved sports and especially enjoyed playing basketball and soccer. But one of the most memorable things about him was his love of the movies. Just like me, he enjoyed so very much the magical world of films. I remember the many times we went to the movies together and I recall how excited he would get when the lights went down, the movie started and he and I were transported into the fascinating world of the movies and believe me it was a great life experience. He used to tell me: "I love it when all goes dark and the film action begins." He had a great professor at Georgia State University in Atlanta...a man named Dr. Smolenski. The man did a tremendous job teaching by son how to really get into the interesting world of films and truly enjoy that. I appreciate Dr. Smolenski and how he helped our son. Let's all try to get as much enjoyment out of life as we can. It is so good to have really wonderful memories.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Japan Valiant in Face of Quakes, Tsunamis

This is a blog about Japan and its culture. Today...March 11, 2011...a giant earthquake measuring 8.9 on the scale hit the Japanese town of Sendai in North Central Japan. Later in central Japan more shocks. A short time later a horrible tsunami hit and tore things up horribly. Then the huge tsunami went smashing across the Pacific hitting Hawaii and the West Coast of the U.S. But Japan had a very harsh set of blows. The people of Japan have great art, dance and film. But also most importantly ...they have huge amounts of courage. Let us pray for the good people of Japan.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Michael Buble.....A Super Intense Singer

Michael Buble comes up with unusual songs. The singer is so very strong with intense ballads and kind of curious uptempo material. The flooding had me edgy today so I enjoyed the singing of a good man, this remarkable Michael Buble. I listened to a haunting song of Buble's....called 'Lost.' This tune is a deep soulful thing that tugs at a person's heart really powerfully. Also I listened to the fine bouncy number tagged, 'Save The Last Dance For Me.' That song also hit me just right today. Brings back superb memories of jumpin' good group, The Drifters. I recall many fabulous times dancing to the fiery music of The Drifters. But getting back to Michael Buble......the amazing bit about him is the fact he is so much like the young Frank Sinatra. Yeah, like the suave Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble has so poignant a warm intensity. Interesting time. Great Buble sounds for a rather strange Wednesday like this one.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Jennifer Lopez: Good Bubbly, Happy Music

Jennifer Lopez is a big talent singer/performer. Her new music video is a good one...yeah a nice high-energy thing....it delights people. When a soul gives a listen to the clever and so 'hip' song stylin' of Jennifer Lopez...well it makes for a real good day. Delightful music with wonderful energy like JLo makes is a very profound and beautiful experience.

Nice Writing

THE GOOD terse writing of Ernest Hemingway is a real joy.  He does not use too many adjectives.  His 'Torrents' is a fine tome.