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.

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.

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.

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.

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.