The Mooche - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra

I don't know what it is about The Mooche, but whenever I hear it, I just go crazy!!

Orpheus; Can't Find the Time to Tell You

Many moons ago, I sang this ineffably lovely song over and over in my mind to no fewer than 114 teen-aged lovelies, none one of whom heard a word of it from my lips. That's what happens when you can't carry a note from Do to Re. Fortunately, Worcester's very own, Bruce Arnold and Orpheus could.

Sammy Davis, Jr. and his many special talents

He always seemed a man out of time; his schtick puerile and cloying and he lived long enough to become a caricature, but Sammy Davis Jr. was also an artist of immense talent and importance - and, when he canned the corn and the shuck and jive, he was one of the great singers and dancers of his or any other era. 
What we will never know is what pain and humiliation he endured through the years as he tried - and succeeded - in ingratiating himself with a "crossover" audience.

Politics and social studies aside, here's a reminder of why Michael Jackson studied Sammy so carefully.

Robert Mitchum invents Nascar racing

With the advent of another Indianapolis 500, I am at a complete loss to understand the allure of the single most tedious pseudo sport this side of curling: NASCAR racing.

Stevie Winwood always sang like a Man!

Even when he was just a little boy of 17, Stevie Winwood always sang like a man.

Gimme Some Lovin' Live on German Television - 1967

I'm a Man - 1966

Otis and Eric Burdon share a Shake in the Land of 1000 Dances

Otis Redding and Eric Burdon share a Shake in the Land of 1000 Dances before they both remember who the real star of the show was and Eric retreats to the shadows to study the Master. 

Remember the Alamo!

The Siege of the Alamo began 179 years ago this week. It lasted for 13 days (February 23- March 6, 1836) before the Mexican forces of Santa Ana, numbering more than 3,000 overran the 189 man garrison, breached the walls and killed them one and all. 

I first learned the story through Walt Disney, Fess Parker and John Wayne and I don't care how romanticized or fictionalized those or any other versions may have been. I don't care if in real life, Davy Crockett tried to surrender or if Jim Bowie was too drunk to get off his cot and fight. I'll even forgive the fact that Laurence Harvey, (an English guy!) played Colonel Travis in the movie. It's an inspiring story of courage - and it's got a great theme song. 

Take it away, Marty Robbins!

Ok, You too, Donovan, even if you don't sound like no cowpoke I ever he'erdof. 

James Joyce's Ulysses - The End

If you are among the millions who started reading Ulysses, James Joyce's opus magnum, but are not among the dozens who actually finished the dang thing, here is your chance. 

Take five minutes to listen to and follow the text below of the final 50 lines of Molly Bloom's closing soliloquy read by award winning Irish actress, Angeline Ball.  Thank me later.

  

Charlie Chaplin on Cocaine

It's time for a respite from the din of modern times by revisiting Charlie Chaplin escaping from prison while under the influence of nose powder in his Modern Times.  

Don't be afraid; it's only Henry Threadgill

Henry Threadgill is one of the greatest composers to have emerged from the jazz avant garde. His music  is cerebral, sophisticated, complex - and a whole lotta toe tappin' fun.