Several weeks ago, I flew out to Los Angeles to interview Bernie Taupin for my "Anatomy of a Song" column for The Wall Street Journal (go here). Bernie, of course, wrote the lyrics to nearly all of Elton John's songs. Specifically, we talked about his lyrics for Rocket Man (1972), how he worked with Elton John, and his take on the president's use of the song title last fall to chide the leader of North Korea. It was a fun morning. Bernie is a gentle, unassuming guy who is open about his feelings and loves to laugh. Here's Elton singing Rocket Man just before it was released in the spring of 1972...
Also in the WSJ this week, I interviewed golf legend Jack Nicklaus for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Jack talked about how his father's ankle injury changed his life and golf history.
Three more: Yep, a busy week. In case you missed JazzWax this week, I reviewed the new Miles Davis & John Coltrane—The Final Tour: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 6 box set for the Arts in Review section (go here). I also interviewed mystery writer Martha Grimes for my "Playlist" column in the Review section on how she came to the music of Lou Reed as an adult (go here). And I wrote a piece for the Review section on the now-forgotten go-go dancing craze of the mid-1960s and how it intersected with the women's liberation movement (go here).
Sirius XM alert. I will be joining Feedback co-hosts Nik Carter and Lori Majewski (above) on Tuesday, April 10, from 9 to 10 a.m., to talk about my "Anatomy of a Song" column on Rocket Man. We'll also be chatting about why Sister Rosetta Tharpe is being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next weekend. Tune in on the VOLUME network, channel 106.
Speaking of the Rock Hall. Bill McCann of WCDB0 in Albany snapped the image above of my book, Anatomy of a Song, at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's gift shop. Thanks, Bill!
Big, big band. There are large jazz big bands and then there's the Eddy Louiss & Le Multicolor Feeling Orchestra in France. Here's a sample...
L.A. in 1965 epitomized the future. Nowhere else in the country was the line between the old guard and youth culture and fashion more pronounced. In mid-decade L.A., many of Billboard hits were recorded there, cars looked like they could take off and fly, and the styles in clothing, hair and just about everything else were cutting edge. Here's an 8 1/2-minute short on the Hollywood scene in '65...
Maynard and Buddy! Rick Megahan sent along a link to audio from a tribute concert for manager Willard Alexander at Buddy's Place, Buddy Rich's New York nightclub circa 1975. The gig featured the major big-band leaders of the day along with Rich's band. Trumpeter Maynard Ferguson plays with Rich starting at about 1:26. Here's the clip...
Two CDs you should know about...
Fanny Walked the Earth (Blue Élan ). Back in 1969, Fanny was one of the first all-female rock bands. The group was led by sisters June (guitar) and Jean Millington (bass). They had moved with their family from the Philippines to Sacramento, Calif., in 1961. In high school they formed an all-girl band called the Svelts. Well, they're back, better than ever, with a new album. It's a rocker that shows off June's wailing electric guitar and lead vocals, and the voice and thump of Jean's bass. Go here.
Here's a teaser for the album...
And here's a clip of When We Need Her...
Roberto Magris Sextet; Live in Miami at the WDNA Jazz Gallery (CD Baby). Recorded in 2016, this album by Italian pianist Roberto Magris features a Miami hard-bop sextet with Latin influences. The group includes trumpeter Brian Lynch, tenor saxophonist Jonathan Gomez, pianist Roberto Magris, bassist Chuck Bergeron, drummer John Yarling and percussionist Murphy Aucamp. Under it all is Roberto's seductive and percussive piano. Go here.
Here's their ballad, April Morning...
Coney Island. Jimi Mentis sent along a link to a haunting 1991 documentary by Ric Burns on the early development of Coney Island. At the turn of the 20th century, New York's grand-scale amusement park was like today's Internet. One price bought you access to the world's wonders. Until, that is, the three parks burned down at different points in time. Here's Coney Island...
Rhode Island jazz. For information on the history of Rhode Island jazz, co-author Tom Shaker alerted me to his book, A Treasury of Rhode Island Jazz & Swing Musicians. It includes over 600 profiles of jazz musicians who hail from this tiny New England state. Go here.
In New York on April 14? Bassist John Menegon will be at Kitano Jazz with his new group, Quartet East, on April 14. He will be presenting original compositions as well as works by the late bassist Charlie Haden. Sets are at 8 and 10 p.m. There's a $34 cover and $20 minimum for food or drink. For more information, go here.
What the heck. I have no idea what movie this clip is from (a Greek film?), but there's something about it that's so gentle and spring-like. And wow, what incredible surf! The footage is set to organist Walter Wanderley's Beach Samba...
Oddball album cover of the week.
This cover has its '60s suburban priorities straight: Grill in focus, guests blurry. Even our model in the pink-striped dress has her eyes on the prize.
