Actress, singer Janet Carroll passed away on May 22. She was 71. Better known as an actress (think Tom Cruise’s mother in Risky Business and Gary, the owner of the shoe store Al Bundy worked at on Married…With Children) she was also an accomplished singer with many credits on Broadway and with a wide variety of jazz bands. Her career spanned over 40 years. Here is a sample of her work with The Hot Frogs Jumping Jazz Band, recorded in 1988.
Peter Jones, drummer with Crowded House from 1994 to 1996, passed away on May 18. He was 49. He also played with Harem Scarem, Tinpan Orange and Deadstar.
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He was with Harem Scarem from 1985 to 1989. Here is a song from them.
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He joined Deathstar after his stint with Crowded House.
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Peter Jones, drummer with Crowded House from 1994 to 1996, passed away on May 18. He was 49. He also played with Harem Scarem, Tinpan Orange and Deadstar.
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He was with Harem Scarem from 1985 to 1989. Here is a song from them.
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He joined Deathstar after his stint with Crowded House.
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Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20. She was 86. Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002. In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries. Here is a terrific example of her style.
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A second song. This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice. A terrific band as well. And check out the tap dancing.
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Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20. She was 86. Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002. In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries. Here is a terrific example of her style.
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A second song. This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice. A terrific band as well. And check out the tap dancing.
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On May 16, the Father of Go-Go, Chuck Brown passed away at the age of 75. The Father of Go-Go. Why? The man was a DC legend, defining and perfecting his take on the genre. He died as the acknowledged leader in this form of music. Another great player who helped shape our musical world in a fairly anonymous way.
If you are a Washington Nationals fan, you will recognize this one. Bustin’ Loose is played when the Nats hit a home run.
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Chuck’s legacy includes stints with Jerry Butler, and with the Soul Searchers. He also recorded an album “The Other Side“, with one of my favourites, Eva Cassidy in 1992. This record is a keeper. Eva could sing the phone book. Here is a tune off it.
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His other notable contribution to the world of entertainment was performing the theme song to the “Sinbad’ TV show.
On May 16, the Father of Go-Go, Chuck Brown passed away at the age of 75. The Father of Go-Go. Why? The man was a DC legend, defining and perfecting his take on the genre. He died as the acknowledged leader in this form of music. Another great player who helped shape our musical world in a fairly anonymous way.
If you are a Washington Nationals fan, you will recognize this one. Bustin’ Loose is played when the Nats hit a home run.
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Chuck’s legacy includes stints with Jerry Butler, and with the Soul Searchers. He also recorded an album “The Other Side“, with one of my favourites, Eva Cassidy in 1992. This record is a keeper. Eva could sing the phone book. Here is a tune off it.
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His other notable contribution to the world of entertainment was performing the theme song to the “Sinbad’ TV show.
May 14 saw the passing of 70’s soul singer Belita Woods. She was 63. She was with the group Brainstorm and recorded “Lovin’ Is Really My Game”, a disco hit in the late 70’s.
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She spent time in the 90’s and 2000’s with Parliament – Funkadelic. I think most will enjoy this one.
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May 14 saw the passing of 70’s soul singer Belita Woods. She was 63. She was with the group Brainstorm and recorded “Lovin’ Is Really My Game”, a disco hit in the late 70’s.
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She spent time in the 90’s and 2000’s with Parliament – Funkadelic. I think most will enjoy this one.
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Just a quick note to acknowledge the passing of a great one, Donald “Duck” Dunn, on May 13. A member of Booker T & the MG’s, he replaced the original bassist, he is forever connected to Green Onions, even though he was not on the original recording.
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He was also notable as a session player for Stax Records, which means he is on about 50 zillion songs recorded there. He also performed with a multitude of bands, such as CCR, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Levon Helm, Bob Dylan and the list goes on and on.   He was also the pipe smoking, wild hair bass player in the Blues Brothers.
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