In a year of genre-bending music, there was plenty of blending of soul, funk and R&B sounds. This year was part of what I consider to be a Golden Era of soulful vibes. This music was not restricted to a certain group of radio stations or a single chart, much of this music crossed over … More 1971: A Year of Soul, Funk, R&B
One of my favorite film subjects, Tom Hanks is a fascinating actor/filmmaker. Search my site, you will find several entries, including more detailed reviews of the films below. These three films are from Hank’s most recent work. This is the mature Hanks, who slips into character roles, like the finest actors of the past. Bridge … More Tom Hanks: Some Recent Roles
Another hard to believe album that is 50 years old. Released in 1971, this was a McCartney solo album, before Wings, but made in partnership with wife Linda. That partnership was scoffed at by his publishing company, and some in the industry, who were not convinced that she was a real songwriter. Linda McCartney took … More Ram: Paul & Linda McCartney at 50 Years
The sidewalk comes to a full stop. The path now says you must walk on unsteady earth, somewhere off the beaten trail. Or it could be the edge of the world, the end of existence, can you risk it? Do you have a choice? Midnight is the lonesome bridge between our past and the future. … More What’s Next?
Back in the Stone Age, and only three television channels, watching sports was severely limited by today’s standards. Thanks to my pal T.J. for the idea to revisit the old days of mostly black & white television. ABC’s Wide World of Sports, on Saturday afternoons, was a cavalcade of sports programming. No, it was not … More Wide World of Sports
Lady Bird Johnson has a unique place in American history. We mostly know her as a First Lady, but also successful in business and she carved out her own legacy, apart from her husband, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Her given name was Claudia, but most everyone knew her as Lady Bird, the wife of LBJ. “I … More Lady Bird Johnson
Several years we’ve cross-crossed I felt this kindred closeness It wounded me during the silence Absence is a pool of lonesomeness Those dark eyes are devastating Burning a hole clean thru me Always at a distance But friendship grew instantly Life is dancing across a volcano Fire at my feet, electricity in my soul The … More Addition +
Let me clarify, new music to me. I was watching this streaming show called Loudermilk, and I heard this haunting, melodic song, lush, almost ethereal. The gentle piano chords instantly settled into my brain. This should be subtitled: Music for Introverts. The music is highly reflective and feels like is describes those puzzle pieces that … More Andy Shauf: New Music
I am going to present you two stacks of DVDs (no Blu-ray disks mixed in). You are going on a trip and these are the only entertainment you will have. No TV, cable or internet. Which one would you choose? No trading between stacks. Stack 1 Roman Holiday (1953) – Reporter Gregory Peck and Princess … More DVDs: Which Stack?
What a great mix of musical styles. Pop, rock, heavy metal, R&B, blues. This was the singer-songwriter era too, the laidback Southern California sound. Carole King would have the largest selling album with Tapestry, the touchstone for the singer-songwriter generation. Other landmark albums were: Led Zeppelin IV, Fragile, Who’s Next, Sticky Fingers, Aqualung, What’s Going … More 1971: Music From 50 Years Ago
