Monthly Archives: March 2024

“Boom Boom” – John Lee Hooker (1962)

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Richard Barry

“Boom Boom” was written by blues singer/guitarist John Lee Hooker, and released in 1962. It had success on U.S. R&B and pop charts when it was released. It is strongly identified with Hooker and widely covered by other artists. The … Continue reading →

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“It Never Entered My Mind” – Sarah Vaughan (1958)

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Richard Barry

“It Never Entered My Mind” is a 1940 show tune from a production called Higher and Higher – a Rodgers and Hart musical.  It ran on Broadway for 108 performances, which rates it as a moderately successful show. In the production, Shirley … Continue reading →

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“Walkin’ With Mr. Lee” – Lee Allen (1958)

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Richard Barry

Pete Thomas’s terrific website Taming the Saxophone has a page dedicated to the masters of Rhythm and Blues saxophone, with bios and clips. He writes: These biographies, photos and sound clips include all the influential rhythm and blues saxophone players … Continue reading →

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“It Ain’t Like That” – Una Mae Carlisle (1941)

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Richard Barry

Una Mae Carlisle (1915 – 1956) was an American jazz singer, pianist, and songwriter, born in Xenia, Ohio. She was “discovered” by Fats Waller while still in her teens. Waller strongly influenced her boogie-woogie/stride piano style. Humour was also a part of her … Continue reading →

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“Serenity” – Joe Henderson (1964)

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Richard Barry

Once the British Invasion took hold, times were tough for all sorts of competing genre, not the least of which was jazz. So, what was happening in jazz after the Beatles made their debut on the Ed Sullivan show and … Continue reading →

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“I Won’t Last a Day Without You” – The Carpenters (1972)

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Richard Barry

Karen Carpenter was born on this day in 1950 (March 2nd). I have always loved her voice. I don’t care what “they” say, though sometimes “they” can actually use their ears and not their self-serving sense of hipness when making … Continue reading →

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“The Israelites” – Desmond Dekker and The Aces (1969)

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Richard Barry

Perhaps the oddest thing about this very cool tune by Desmond Dekker & The Aces is that the lyrics are very nearly indecipherable. “The Israelites” was written by Dekker and Leslie King. It peaked on the charts in 1969 as the first … Continue reading →

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“The Stripper” – David Rose and His Orchestra – 1962

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Richard Barry

I would have thought this one to be a lot older, but no. It was written by David Rose in 1958, and released in 1962. In addition to “The Stripper,” Rose wrote “Holiday for Strings,” and “Calypso Melody.” He also … Continue reading →

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“Jamaica Jam” – Teddy Powell and His Orchestra (1939)

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Richard Barry

In my search to learn about big band leaders of whom I had not been previously aware, I came across the name Teddy Powell. Mr Powell (1905-1993) was a jazz guitarist, composer and big band leader who had significant success … Continue reading →

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“Some of These Days” – Sophie Tucker (1910)

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Richard Barry

Published in 1910, “Some of These Days” was written and composed by Shelton Brooks and is most associated with legendary performer Sophie Tucker who recorded it several times beginning in 1911. The best known of her versions was done in … Continue reading →

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