Keith Jarrett.......Super Piano Man!

Keith Jarrett....my what a truly fascinating jazz pianist! Listened today to 'When you Wish Upon A Star' and the marvelous standard, 'On Green Dolphin Street.' The merry, lyrical and so pianoforte-poetic genius of the jazz man Keith Jarrett is exciting and makes all music fans thrilled. It is a joy to hear jazz piano styling that has so much poignant lyrical quality. And that is what Keith Jarrett really produces. His rendition of 'On Green Dolphin Street' represents a memorable jazz performance. A fine one!

Elvis Presley, the Great Man of the South

Memorial Day weekend has me really thinking hard about life, music and of course the wild dimensions of American pop culture. Elvis Presley and the man's strong music have sort of dominated my brain today. The giant phenomenon of the marvelous Elvis burst like an exploding rocket on the American popular culture scene and things were never the same again. The raw, visceral and powerhouse sexy music was a mighty profound musical cocktail to swallow. When I was a younger guy I went insanely happy just loving the exciting, fine music of the guy from Mississippi and Tennessee. The sly, rockin' sounds of 'Hound Dog' and 'Don't Be Cruel' were sensational musical experiences, But I figure the thing that got to me was the so marvelous sense of passion that the man of the South, Mr. Elvis Presley had. Certain songs of his hit me deep inside my soul. I especially loved the melancholy and so haunting and beautiful 'Crying in the Chapel.' Also when I first heard that wild and full of passionate, jumping song 'Jailhouse Rock'....well my goodness.....it just got me so excited I just about busted out crying and laughing whoop-it-up style at the same time. Yes, people there are very few joys in life that smack us hard like the mighty Elvis Presley singing those great juggernaut numbers of his. On this very magnificent Memorial Day weekend let us all give thanks for our veterans and also for a super soul of the South (and Also an Army man) the one and only Mr. Elvis Presley.

Joplin Missouri Brutal Tornado

Last night (Sunday, May 22) a horrible tornado hit Joplin, Missouri. The city was hit so hard. The destruction makes all of our hearts so heavy. My closest friend lives in Joplin...Have tried hard to get in touch. So much electricity out...Can't Reach Anyone. Hoping and praying my friend is alive. He and I were overseas together when I was in the Air Force. The American culture is strong. Hoping and praying the people of Joplin and all the Midwest are somehow going to be all right in dealing with this gigantic devastation.

Some Good Vince Gill Songs

'Go Rest High On That Mountain' and 'When I Call Your Name' are two good songs sung by the mighty Vince Gill. I like the man's clear poignant delivery of his tunes. He has a way of bringing the fine nuances of American culture together. His music is like grand, red wine. Today I went to a beautiful picnic and also I listened to some good Vince Gill songs. What a good day.

Frank Sinatra Music...So Satisfying

Frank Sinatra songs are full of so much zesty style. The man has that phrasing mode down, perfectly. And the sleek and wondrous thing about Frank Sinatra is the way the artist really draws everyone into his singing these beautiful songs. I listened today to 'That's Life.' 'Strangers in the Night' and oh my....that lovely stand up and cheer number, 'New York, New York.' How wonderful this Friday is. All has gone great and then having Sinatra music, too.

An 'I Walk The Line Tuesday

Fine Tuesday. I loved listening to Johnny Cash sing the super song, 'I Walk The Line' today. The man called Johnny Cash is full of art and soul. The raw, perfect voice and fine guitar work is so tremendous. Oh my goodness. yes. The sound of the mighty man, Mr. Johnny Cash is so great! Georgia people and all of us enjoy good J. Cash music.

'East of Eden' is Classic Cinema

Yesterday I watched a super film. It was the clever 'East of Eden' with James Dean. I had seen the work before but again it was so good to watch the incredible acting genius....the man of the decades, James Dean. This story based on the good book by the great writer, John Steinbeck, is a unique story telling the tale of a young guy and his tormented family problems as he was growing up in a town in Northern California. The acting work of James Dean, the incomparable Julie Harris and also the feisty Raymond Massey is so truly terrific. It is a fabulous thing being a film buff and enjoying super cinematic art, the kind that is found in 'East of Eden.'