Category Archives: Random Topics
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part Five
At the end of the trail, looking back. “Sitting On Top Of The World” & “Things ‘Bout Coming My Way” made their entrance into my musical consciousness thanks to two items I purchased somewhere back in the mid-to-late 1970’s. One … Continue reading
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part Four
Back on the trail! Walter Vinson/Vincson/Jacobs’ melody to “Sitting On Top Of The World”/”Things ‘Bout Coming My Way,” soon became a popular one to borrow. I know of four now-legendary Bluesmen from the 1930’s who each put it to very … Continue reading
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part Three
The journey continues. But first, a divergence. “Things ‘Bout Coming My Way” soon began to blaze a trail of its own. On February 10, 1931 – twenty-two days after Sam Hill From Louisville (aka Walter Vinson) cut the inaugural recording … Continue reading
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part Two
The journey continues: Rising to a higher elevation. Mississippi Sheiks was a string band from Bolton, Mississippi. [Pictured, L-R: Armenter “Bo Carter” Chatmon (1893/4-1964), Alonzo “Lonnie” Chatmon (1890-1942) & Walter Vinson/Vincson (1901-1975).] They made their first recordings on February 17, … Continue reading
Marking The Trail: One Melody’s Journey Through American Music – Part One
“Melody is the essence of music.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) The trailhead. Leroy Carr (1904-1935) – singer, pianist, songwriter, performer and recording artist – was one of the most prolific, popular and influential Blues musicians of the 1930’s. Leroy … Continue reading
Last Thursday
I heard the motorcycle approaching from my left when I was about twenty paces from the crosswalk. The pedestrians ahead of me had paused to let a few cars go by – something that actually happens on occasion in this … Continue reading
A Very Historic Day In Music: Doc Watson
I may be a little early getting to the party, but I did not want to risk missing the day and have not posted something! 100 years ago – on March 3, 1923 – Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was born … Continue reading
Sounds of Swasey
Ambrose Swasey was born in Exeter, NH, on December 19, 1846. This Exonian became a mechanical engineer, inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He made his fame and fortune with the Warner & Swasey Company, which he founded with his partner, Worcester … Continue reading
A Song My Mother Sang
As I recall, the song that my mother – Avis Louise Foss Sinclair (1914-2001) – sang the most often around the house when I was a kid was “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” “Let me call you sweetheart, I’m in … Continue reading
“Summer Solstice Rag” – Take 2
Today’s the day! Here’s some finger-style acoustic guitar music to get your first-day-of-summer party started: my “Summer Solstice Rag.” Hope you enjoy it! And… here’s my guitar TAB transcription if you’re a picker and want to try it out yourself. … Continue reading
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