In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed Jay Leno for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). We talked about his CNBC show, Jay Leno's Garage, and his extraordinary vintage-car collection. We also talked about the fine art of appearing to be retired and why it's essential for a comedian, how late-night television has changed since he left The Tonight Show, and Jay's favorite roadway in Los Angeles for taking cars for a spin. [Photo above of Jay Leno in his garage behind a 1938 MG. by Sam Comen for The Wall Street Journal]
Here's Jay on his show in 2016 on the 1964 GTO...
Also in the WSJ, my essay in praise of soul singer-songwriter Barry White, who for too many years has been the subject of ridicule (go here). Most people are unaware that White not only wrote or co-wrote all of his hits, he also arranged and produced the songs, and he owned the rights to his music, a rarity in the 1970s. This is true for Love Unlimited, the female vocal trio, and the Love Unlimited Orchestra.
Here's Barry White in London at the Royal Albert Hall in 1975 singing Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe...
Thank you, Jazz St. Louis! This past week, I was in St. Louis to give a talk at Jazz St. Louis on the rise of cool and West Coast jazz in the early 1950s. A special thanks to Phil Dunlap, director of education and community engagement, who invited me, and to Gene Dobbs Bradford, the organization's president and CEO. Another thanks to the 150 people who came out to hear my talk and bought my books after and to the musicians who performed the entire Birth of the Cool album (minus Darn That Dream). It was an extraordinary night.
Flying high and fast. Jimi Mentis sent along this terrific BBC documentary on the Concorde, the supersonic plane produced by Britain and France between 1976 and 2003...
Hammond organ radio. Chris "King" Cowles recently broadcast a radio program of organists on WRTC-Hartford, including interviews with Robert Walter and Chris Hazelton. To listen to his Greasy Tracks show go here.
Here's the playlist...
Hour 1
Everything Is Everything — Booker T. Jones
Why? (Am I Treated So Bad) — Julie Driscoll w/ Brian Auger & The Trinity
Wade In The Water — Robert Walter
Layin' In The Cut — Lonnie Smith
Moonwalk — Larry Young
Robert Walter Interview
Most All of Us — Robert Walter's 20th Congress
Robert Walter Interview
Chalk Giant — Robert Walter's 20th Congress
Robert Walter Interview
Planet of the Superkids — The Greyboy Allstars
Robert Walter Interview
Hour 2
Classified — James Booker
Robert Walter Interview
Emanate — Robert Walter's 20th Congress
Ebony Jam — Tower of Power
Chris Hazelton Interview
People's Choice — Everett DeVan
Chris Hazelton Interview
Alright Now — Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo Seven
Chris Hazelton Interview
Bambu — Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo Seven
Chris Hazelton Interview
Bambu — Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo Seven
100 Days, 100 Nights — Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo Seven
100 Days, 100 Nights — Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Down Home Style — Brother Jack McDuff
Marlene VerPlanck Memorial Concert. Joe Lang sent along links to videos Ray Hoffman posted on the concert honoring singer Marlene VerPlanck, who died earlier this year in January...
Part 1, go here...
Part 2, go here...
What the heck: Here's Teddy Pendergrass on lead vocal with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1975 singing Bad Luck...
Oddball album cover of the week.
Hard to believe this cover, but there you have it. Another age, another time.
