Over the past two weeks in The Wall Street Journal, I interviewed actor Sam Claflin for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Sam co-stars in the new Prime Video series Daisy Jones & the Six, which is like Nashville except instead of country, it's about the new form of rock that emerged in Laurel Canyon of the 1970s. It's excellent. Daisy is played by actress Riley Keough, who happens to be Elvis and Priscilla Presley's granddaughter. [Photo above of Sam Claflin, right, and the cast of Daisy Jones & the Six, courtesy of Pamela Littky/Prime Video/PA]
Here's the trailer...
Also in the WSJ, I interviewed Harry Shum Jr. for "House Call" (go here). Harry is a superb dancer and now stars in ABC's Grey's Anatomy. His narrative is one of the best immigrant stories you'll read this year.
Here's Harry in action...
And finally in the WSJ, my Arts in Review essay in the Opinion section was on The Songs of Bacharach & Costello, a new four-CD, two-LP boxed set that includes a remastered Painted From Memory, a new album of material for an unrealized Broadway musical that Burt and Elvis collaborated on, 14 live performances and three newly recorded tracks (go here). Painted From Memory's fidelity is fantastic and makes you realize that their work together on this concept record may wind up being their finest career collaboration in the album era.
Here's Burt, conducting from the piano, and Elvis performing Toledo from Painted From Memory...
Where was I last week? In Tucson, Ariz., at the invitation of the Tucson Festival of Books, one of the country's largest and most prestigious organized book gatherings. An estimated 125,000 people attended over two days to hear more than 300 authors speak and sign their new books. I was interviewed on Saturday at 1 p.m. about mine, Anatomy of 55 More Songs, by the Arizona Star's fabulous culture writer Cathy Burch. [Photo above by John Humenik]
Halfway through my hour-long talk to 400 attendees under a tent outdoors, the University of Arizona's bookstore sold out of the sizable number of copies they were selling. According to the festival, I also had the longest line for book signings. Linda Ronstadt would have easily knocked me out of that spot, but she had to leave right after her talk on Sunday. [Photo above by Alyse Myers]
Among the many who came by to say hello with a copy was author Aidan Levy, who was there to speak about his new masterful biography, Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins. If you haven't purchased, do so now. It's a definitive look at Sonny's career and music. I also ran into John Hasse, former Curator Emeritus of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution.
And, of course, I made many new friends. A shout out to John Humenik, a co-founder of the festival; Bill Finley, the event's coordinating chair; and Cathy Burch, my interviewer. [Photo above by Alyse Myers]
Count Basie at Birdland. Following my post on Steve Allen visiting Count Basie at Birdland in 1956, I heard from legendary bassist Bill Crow...
Marc, I was at Birdland the night Wild Bill Davis gave his arrangement of "April in Paris" to Count Basie and played it with the band on the organ. Basie took Bill's tempo. And that night, Bill also started the "One more time" and "Once more once" bit that night. Basie kept that, too.
While we can't go back in time to see what that music have been like, here's Wild Bill Davis playing his arrangement of April in Paris on organ...
Bill Crow. Last week, Les Johnston in Australia sent along the following...
G'day Marc. Regarding recent posts about the great Bill Crow. I found an amazing 10-minute video from 2015 on YouTube that really shows the artistry of Mr. Crow. The group features Lew Tabackin (ts), the late Jerry Dodgion (as), Don Friedman (p), Bill Crow (b) and Bill Goodwin (d). Go here...
Speaking of Jerry Dodgion, who died on February 17 at age 90, Bill Kirchner sent along a terrific clip of the late alto saxophonist. Here's Thaddeus, dedicated to Thad Jones, from Dodgion's The Joy of Sax...
Carl Saunders also passed away recently, on February 25. He was 80. I last posted on Carl (above) in 2020 (go here). Here's a track from my favorite album by Carl: Phil Urso and Carl Saunders Salute Chet Baker...
Here's Carl soloing with the Stan Kenton Alumni Band under the direction of Mike Vax, playing My Foolish Heart, sent by Gary Dailey...
Dean Martin at home. Are you familiar with director Raymond De Felitta's blog, Movies 'Til Dawn? You simply must sign up (it's free!) and receive his posts each night. Raymond always finds rare YouTube videos that will pull you in and shares his insights from the film industry perspective. Yesterday, Raymond's clip was on Dean Martin at home in Beverly Hills in 1958. Because there isn't a live audience and he can't even see his interviewer, Edward R. Murrow, we get a modest, subdued side of Martin I've never seen before. Go here...
How High the Moon. Kurt Kolstad sent along this precious clip from 2014 of Joan Chamorro's many talented students in Barcelona, Spain. That's Ignasi Terraza on piano, Josep Traver on guitar, Joan on the bass and Esteve Pi on drums. The lead singer is Rita Payes. Go here...
FM Radio Archive. Last week, Kim Paris of the FM Radio Archive sent along a bunch of links to terrific live recordings:
Count Basie—is featured in a three-part series hosted by Nancy Wilson from May 2008 that chronicles his life, musical career and impact on jazz. Go here.
Gerry Mulligan—is the focus of an April 2008 episode hosted by Nancy Wilson that documents his pivotal role in developing the cool West Coast jazz sound. Go here.
Wayne Shorter—here are three concerts with Herbie Hancock, spanning 37 years: With Miles Davis in France in 1967, with VSOP in Japan in 1977 and in the French Alps in 2004. Go here.
And here's one with Shorter and Larry Coryell at Montreux in 1990. Go here.
Richard "Groove" Holmes radio. Sid Gribetz of WKCR-FM in New York will present a five-hour radio broadcast celebrating the career of organist Richard “Groove” Holmes on Sunday, March 12, from 2 to 7 p.m. (ET) on “Jazz Profiles.” Tune in from anywhere in the world by going here.
Looking to sell your LP or CD collection? Or hunting for a reasonably priced rare LP or CD to buy for yourself or a gift? Whether it's jazz, rock, soul or you name it, when it comes to recorded music, Original Vinyl is a store you can trust. Reach out to Jim Eigo by going here.
A big thanks to Dan Podkulski for his sharp eye and e-friendship. A huge help and he knows why.
And finally, here are the Limelites seven years ago singing Daddy's Home, which climbed to No. 2 on Billboard's pop chart in 1961. Though Shep, the vocal group's original leader, was murdered at age 24 in January 1970 after being beaten and robbed and left in his car on New York's Long Island Expressway, the group in this clip is led superbly by Al Hanfield. Go here...
