Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of you out there! This 2009 has been quite a year with all kinds of things happening. In a little while 2010 will be here. Somehow we now go into a new decade, and that's great. Say bye to so-so thinking let's get positive minded and enjoy our lives our music, arts and sports and of course most of all let's enjoy the spiritual. The Lord Bless Us All!

A Tribute to Otis Redding, Soul Star

On this big night of New Year's Eve and the start of a brand new decade I went back to my soul, my Georgia man's deep feeling. In other words I listened tonight once again to the huge awe-inspiring wonderful sounds of the magnificent Georgia man, the fantastic Otis Redding. When he belts out a fine song like 'Dock of the Bay' or 'Try A Little Tenderness' it is so much soul the man serves up. I feel so energized now having my music from the man of soul and blues--Mr. Otis Redding. So many grand music men have come out of Georgia like James Brown, Ray Charles and Little Richard but Otis Redding stands way up there on the great musical pedestal. The man symbolizes wowee soul!

Mr. Intensity: The Superstar Buddy Guy!

Buddy Guy can hit hard with some of the best rockin' and sockin' potent blues music one can possibly imagine. Tonight I listened to a superb rendition of 'Hound Dog' sung by the magnificent blues woman, Big Mama Thornton and the main backup guy was again I let you have it once more, the incomparable Buddy Guy. Big Mama Thornton has a tremendous blues shouter voice that makes your whole body want to get up and dance just as hard as you can. Oh...I also heard the good fella Buddy Guy doing a so-fine performance of a super tune, 'Sweet Home Chicago.' The man can bring the huge sound of Chicago to us all and really stir us up. What a fantastic guitar player and singer is Buddy Guy. Yeah, the man has lit up my evening just right!

'The Asphalt Jungle' Is Strong Film-Noir

When I see a significant classic of the Film-Noir genre it just blows me away. Last night I watched 'The Asphalt Jungle,' a fascinating film directed by the great one, John Huston. This sterling work (released in 1950) is a good primer on what good caper cinematic material should be all about. A giant heist goes off kilter and the people of the story go more and more intensely psychological on us. The skill of the writers is sensational because this is not just another simple cops and tough guys movie. The cynics might not like some aspects because in a bizarre way the mean ones seem strongly full of soul. There is a lilting kind of profound Joycean stream-of-consciousness about 'Asphalt.' The performances of Sam Jaffe, Sterling Hayden, Jean Hagen and a very young Marilyn Monroe are vividly accomplished. Marilyn Monroe is a shiny, gorgeous woman in this story. Perhaps one of the more interesting guys in the film is the elegant and sophisticated Louis Calhern, who is a brittle, many levels kind of personality in his role as a money man, a banker sort of overpowering the screen when he comes into the action. The work of the visceral Sterling Hayden has always fascinated me. And the wily Sam Jaffe is so genuine in his conniving and arresting mannerisms. Of course when one adds the supremely sophisticated Louis Calhern to this grand mix of souls then it is easy to see why the director, Mr. John Huston gets his film to work so beautifully. But the most interesting person in this classic is Sterling Hayden (who did grand work in Kubrick's 'Strangelove' later on). Sterling Hayden has a high level of dramatic intensity that is overpowering. Great film art like 'The Asphalt Jungle' is a marvelous experience for it brings more meaning and true 'real' definition into our creative lives.

Merry Christmas from a man of Georgia

Merry Christmas to everyone from here in the beautiful state of Georgia. The rains have gone and the weather is good. We are so blessed. The plan is to spend good times with our son and granddaughters today in Midtown Atlants. Good Christmas food and happy times. The Georgia and Southern tradition of Christmas is packed with strong religious feeling and family-oriented traditionalism. And that is good. The older I get the more I realize how important and vital is the meaning of family--one's blood. I remember reading the works of two favorite writers of mine, Charles Dickens and William Faulkner. The meaning of one's people is so deeply imbedded in the literary works of these two men. I remember my grandmother on my father's side and my grandmother on my mother's side. Both women taught me when I was very young to get strongly into having faith and having prayer and realizing what a beautiful and meaningful thing it is to be a man of the South. Now at this time in my life my religion fills up my soul and totally energizes me. My music and my art and films and jazz and culture delight me so much. The people in my life have given me so much meaning and definition and that is wonderful. So enjoy today everyone out there. As the song says, 'We Need a Little Christmas.' Please realize there is a man in Stone Mountain, Georgia who is trying to bring you emotional pure depth and soul in your lives. Enjoy the beautiful songs today: 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,' 'Deck the Halls,' and 'Joy to the World.' And also I remember the marvelous song that symbolizes today and my mother used to play it on the piano. Of course I am referring to the grand song, 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.' That dear song seems to symbolize for me the beauty and the joy and the magnificent culture that is today--Christmas. Bless you all!

My oldest son is my pride and joy!

My oldest son is a person I have the utmost pride in. He has always had a wonderful work ethic. Ever since he was eleven years old he has been working so hard, doing all kinds of jobs. It makes a Georgia man proud to see his son doing a great job of learning how to be a man. The great thing is the way that my oldest son has the ability to get along beautifully with other people. I remember when he was seven, I saw a teacher of his in a grocery store and she told me my son Ernie was such a wonderful student and she said many marvelous things. That made me swell up with pride as a father. Also later on at so many sporting events (especially soccer and swimming) I saw him put so much fantastic effort into what he was doing. He became a fine student in all his school work and also when he entered the business world he developed a tremendously articulate way of handling all things which I found absolutely great. Also now he and his wife have two marvelous daughters who are so delighted with the huge religious and cultural event that is Christmas. Indeed this represents a truly great time of the year and I give thanks with all my heart and soul for the powerfully great man who is my oldest son.

Christmas memories here in Georgia

Christmas is an exciting time for all of us. It has impact on each man, woman and child. I have so many memories of my two sons and seeing them grow up here in Stone Mountain, DeKalb County, Georgia. I especially recall the times when both sons were small and so thrilled with the Yuletide spirit and the wonderful trips to shopping malls and toy stores. My oldest son loved the toy department in a large Penney's store near us and my younger son loved all the sports things, especially the great memorable sports collectors items. And of course it was great to see the sons taking part in the church events like all the pageants and the singing sessions. The culture of those of us here in Georgia is enriched by so many interesting variables. It is good also that our culture has become more diverse with many more ethnic groups than was the case when I was a small child. Sports united me with my sons a lot for both of the guys loved soccer, basketball, football and softball. Also the younger son and I had so many marvelous trips to go see movies. I loved the way my sons both the older and the younger son truly enjoyed the huge magic that is the world of films. Most of all I have tried to inject lots of passion, meaning and human emotionalism into my boys. Now at this beautiful time of Christmas I confess that all the memories are overwhelming. But Christmas memories are such wonderful looks into the fascinating eyes of the human soul. The Lord bless us all during this exciting, pulsing cultural time that is LIFE here in the beautiful land of Georgia here in the U.S.A.

Hank Mobley kicks 'Soul' into Gear

Jazz artists on the Blue Note label have always been among the tops in the business. One of my favorites in this coterie of jazz fellas is the superb Tenor Saxophonist, Hank Mobley. I feel one of the best albums Hank Mobley made was the strong one called, 'Soul Station.' Listened to it again this wintry Monday and was blown away by its delightful, smokin' bluesy approach. Also the backup piano guy on this set is the man of gigantic jazz finesse, the one and only Wynton Kelly. The man knows how to make those "ivories" really sing. Also on this shiny set is the power drums soulful man, the percussion star, Art Blakey. In the stylin' of Art Blakey, the drums come resoundingly alive. My favorite bass player, Paul Chambers, does fine work in this set, too. I read somewhere that the sophisticated bassist Charlie Haden was so impressed with the work of Paul Chambers. I, too, am a person who much appreciates the sensitive and mysterious bass work Of Paul Chambers. This Hank Mobley and guys workout on 'Soul Station' is still fresh and true dynamic jazz. Very satisfying!

Earl 'Fatha' Hines: Poetic Man of the Piano

Polished classic jazz from the '4os has always been one of my large interests. I figure the timeless piano style of the great Earl 'Fatha' Hines has huge appeal. When you listen to how the man cuts into a classic blues rendition then it is a fabulous feeling, indeed. Another thing: the big band efforts of Earl 'Fatha' Hines have such a tremendous joye de vivre also. Many years ago friends all told me to listen only to the supra-modern big band of Dizzy Gillespie. I love Gillespie's work but Earl Hines has a delightful ability to find just the right notes and just the right chords. But I still believe I get into the high-flyin' work of one Mr. Dizzy Gillespie, also. In truth if you people out there give a man named Earl Hines a try you will love it, I'm sure.

The Vivid Guitar Magic of Bireli Lagrene

Those strings and Lord those sensual sounds. There is nothing quite like good, smokin' hot jazz guitar work. Late today I needed some guitar sounds so I listened to the exciting linear jazz guitar lines of the magnificent man from France, Bireli Lagrene. One tune was the classic 'Night in Tunisia.' Bireli Lagrene was joined on the performance by the sensational pair, Elvin Jones on drums and Joey Defrancesco on organ. The combined force of Lagrene, Jones and Defrancesco made 'Tunisia' really fiery. Another good cut I listened to was the fine song, 'Autumn Leaves.' This number had Bireli Lagrene playing with the poignant Roy Haynes on drums. 'Leaves' had some vivid, exciting Lagrene solo guitar improvisation. This kind of profound, truly tight small group jazz can send one off into a fascinating journey of fine listening. The style of Bireli Lagrene is intensely influenced by the lovely interpretations of the grand Django Reinhardt. Lagrene had memorable performance times also working with the bassist Jaco Pastorius. Their work in the realm of fusion is very unusual.

Remembering a superior music man

Music has always been a gigantic part of my life. When I was eleven I started playing tenor saxophone. (I had already had about four years of piano.) My teacher there in Cairo, Georgia was William T. Verran, a tough, old-style discipline man who just scared the daylights out of my young, skinny form. But one day, despite all his emphasis on technique with all the scales and arpeggios and his constant harping on trying to get a good tone, it suddenly hit me that this little old fellow with the harsh command voice really knew what he was talking about. He respected talents like Dizzy Gillespie and Harry James and Gene Krupa just as many big names as he could tell us kids about. I got in the high school band when I was thirteen. It was tough but it became a lot of fun a little later on. I realized later when I went into theater productions and extemporaneous speaking that having in my life a wonderful discipline man of music, this guy called William T. Verran was a magnificent thing. All of us in the town of Cairo Georgia nicknamed 'Billy Verran' 'Major.' He had never been an officer in the United States Army but he sure acted like one. In this season of memories I look back now on the man who really got me fascinated with the thrilling world of music and I am forever grateful to the guy who helped me appreciate folks like Dizzy Gillespie, Harry James and Gene Krupa.

Some Cairo, Georgia Christmas Memories

Christmas is coming on us fast. When I was growing up in Cairo in Southwest, Georgia my dad and mama were in the jewelry business (later my dad went into antique furniture and full blast into picture framing.) I especially remember the times at the little jewelry store in Cairo. The folks coming in were all so real, indeed there was nothing artificial or contrived about their personalities. It was invigorating to me and my parents, the wonderful Christmas season. Many Christmas Eves my folks would keep the store open even to Midnight to help the people who wanted to come and shop at the last minute. And even though we were tired we would go home and mama would make us a great snack and then she would take us into our cozy living room and play grand Christmas songs on the old piano she and daddy bought back in 1940. Two of her favorites were, 'It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas' and 'God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen.' I will always cherish the wonderful memories of Christmas with my sweet mama and my daddy. Grand memorable times, indeed.
One time when I was about eight one of my daddy's friends came by extremely late on Christmas Eve to bring the little boy (me) a bike. I hollered something like. "What's That Noise Out There?" and my daddy said something like "Hush. I think it might be Santa Claus Out There!" Then Mama kind of ushered me into the other part of the house so the Santa bit could take place. I will never forget those tender Christmas times there in the town known as Cairo deep in the Southwest Portion of the Magnificent State of Georgia. The Lord bless all of us with Christmas memories of our mamas and what we in Southwest Georgia called our Papas. indeed our 'Big Papas' as we said. May God Bless all our Mamas and Daddys in this unusual year of 2009 during the magic cultural American experience that is Christmas time!

Springsteen, Joel: A Truly Classic Duo

The other night I heard a powerhouse concert with two especially great performers. Yeah, the marvelous Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel put on a huge show just jam-packed with passionate musical excitement. When you get superstars like Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel together it really knocks fans out. What a total 'hip' experience! When Billy Joel really took off on keyboard and wailed that great song, 'New York State of Mind' well the emotion was so powerful it really overwhelmed me. Also a little later there was another magnificent number, 'Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.' Yes, people this was one divine show. There is nothing quite like the superstar performers, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. Right On!

Blake Lively, Fred Armisen: Wowee Fun!

Great evening last night! 'Saturday Night Live' was so delightful. The very poised, attractive Blake Lively was the guest star and she lit up the place. What a fine young performer and with this appearance Blake Lively showed she can handle the complex mod culture world of comedy with no problems at all. The work of the extremely creative comic clever one, Fred Armisen was lots of fun, also. I especially got a giant kick out of Fred Armisen playing a Latino band leader. One bit had the cool, refreshing Blake Lively playing a charming Staten Island woman. So 'hip' that bit was. Indeed, the scenario on the Staten Island folks was so really 'right on.' And it got me so tickled. I also loved it when Blake Lively charmed everyone with her 'Cher-style' routine. Comedy is a grand, so integral part of our mod American culture and the dancin' happy whoopee guy known as me got such a gigantic kick out of the fun SNL people late, last eve. Thanks, Blake, Fred A. and friends.

Murray film brings modern Japan alive

Understanding the mindset of contemporary Japan is tricky. There are so many diverse variables composing the multicultural palette of Japanese society in this portion of the 21st Century. A film appeared a few years ago that managed to paint a very articulate picture of the urban scene in the land that is Nippon. This 'cool' film was 'Lost in Translation.' The work written and directed by the elegant Sofia Coppola had as stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The communicative social interplay between the characters was interesting. The film had a comic tone and yet there was the refined subtle tone, also. This invigorating mode made the story ring true and the work did not bog down in pithy, meaningless melodrama that at times can become a constituent part of some film extravaganzas. The meandering bits through large city (Tokyo) life were entertaining. For those of us familiar with life in Japan, this film presented a lot of fun. And the good performances by the beautiful Scarlett Johansson and the sophisticated Bill Murray were a gigantic delight.