Temptations, Stevie Wonder: Genius Lives!

The Temptations and Stevie Wonder...musical artists that lift my soul. Oh my, yes! I have deep in my psyche all the excellent memories that come roaring back in me when I hear The Temps singing and dancing with the fantastic song 'My Girl' and when I hear the tremendous man Stevie Wonder doing the aching, beautiful number, 'For Once In My Life.' Believe me the marvelous flood of terrific emotions is so satisfying! The music of The 60s and 70s is so strong with an incredible emotional dynamic that can just totally engulf a man or woman. The music of what some call the Vietnam era is so aching and so poignant and yes profound that it is as if you had three huge prime rib entrees on your plate and you ate every single bite. I love the genius and the remarkable musical expressiveness of The Temptations and Stevie Wonder and today on this big event day (the birthday of my eldest son) indeed I am a tremendously happy man!

Ray Brown , Gene Harris: Good Sounds

Great jazz bass work! That is the accomplishment of the mighty Ray Brown. Listened today to The Ray Brown Trio with the remarkable Gene Harris on piano. These guys played an absolutely awesome version of the classic tune, 'Summertime.' I have always liked the sound of fine jazz performers putting together truly engaging work on haunting ballads like 'Summertime.' The swing that Ray Brown maintains on the bass is terrific with its enchanting sound. I needed some jazz that could pick me up today and believe me, the Ray Brown Trio along with the superb Gene Harris on piano certainly did a wonderful job of fulfilling my needs. Thanks guys.

Roy Hargrove: Exciting Jazz Artist!

Roy Hargrove creates energetic joy, a kind of stirring trumpet jazz that really draws you in. The man who came out of Texas has a vibrant, edgy sound that reminds one a bit of the fabulous Freddie Hubbard. They say Hargrove met the marvelous Wynton Marsalis early. Hargrove (like Marsalis) has a lot of fire in his playing. And it is so "right on!" Listened today to a great tune...'Strasbourg St. Denis' and it had the feisty bright sound that made my day feel so good. Roy Hargrove and his quintet make modern music, a jazz that truly engages the listener. Try some of the profound, ultra-creative jazz of Roy Hargrove if you want a good jazz experience.

Kenny Chesney: 'Hemingway's Whiskey'

A new song I like is 'Hemingway's Whiskey' by Kenny Chesney. This guy knows how to develop a country music song that has plenty of meaning. I know the name Hemingway is what instantly drew me to this number. For a long time I have been fascinated with all the prose that Ernest Hemingway wrote in his lifetime. He always said....write short...don't use too many adjectives and adverbs...use nouns and verbs. It is fascinating tying to get one's head around this so 'hip' writing mantra. Listen, I couldn't help but wonder what drew Kenny Chesney to coming up with such a meaningful song like this 'Hemingway's Whiskey.' The Chesney style is full of meaning and the beauty of this music is the passion and superb homage Kenny Chesney has going to a truly great man, Ernest Hemingway. Country music in its terrific modern form has lots of meaning and power and our friend the talented Mr. Kenny Chesney has come up with something very special with 'Hemingway's Whiskey.'

I Am Sorry............

Yesterday I had Dianne Reaves name down in a jazz post. The correct spelling of this person is Dianne Reeves. I am very sorry for this error.

Russell Malone and Friends Truly Delight!

Guitar music just engages the mind so beautifully. Superb jazz guitar really tickles the fancy of a veteran music enthusiast like me. Today, I listened to the extremely tasteful jazz guitar of Russell Malone. And it was a giant delight. One track that proved terrific in its sophisticated styling was Russell Malone working out with the marvelous vocalist, Dianne Reeves on that lovely tune, 'Embraceable You.' The lush, gentle chords and jazz tones put me in a gigantic stage of supreme bliss. The vocal work of Dianne Reaves is poignant and delicate and so thoughtful. Also, I listened to some fantastic work with Russell Malone playing guitar with the great Ron Carter Trio on a rousing rendition of the standard, 'Autumn Leaves.' The elegant Ron Carter played in a totally exquisite manner, making his bass work just entrance everyone. Additionally, the piano work of the skillful Jacky Terrason on piano was so enriching to all the listeners souls. I listen to people like Ron Carter and Russell Malone and Jacky Terrason and it brings me sublime delights....I get strongly into the great world of "awareness" that Deepak Chopra mentions quite often in his work. Superb jazz has made this a profound and so beautiful Thursday.

DAWGS Get It Done! They won one!

Wonderful Saturday! The DAWGS of my favorite UGA got finally going today. They whipped the mighty VOLS of Tenn. I celebrated. Felt so good. I am an old soul...so I listened to Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis this afternoon. As a friend of mine says..."Life is Good!" My, my......IT SURE IS!