Why this tune? The great Tony Bennett celebrated his 94th birthday a couple of weeks ago – that reminded me of a great version of Old Devil Moon he performed on MTV Unplugged in 1994, which my musical colleague Tony Gudell shared with me. Burton Lane and Yip Harburg wrote it as a slow romanticContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Old Devil Moon”
Category Archives: Tunes On Tuesday
Tunes on Tuesday: Let’s Wander
Why this tune? You never know what will trigger a good song idea. In the case of “Let’s Wander,” from my album “Making Up For Lost Time,” it was lunch at a taco restaurant and a coaster that said “Let’s go where the wifi is weak.” That connected with another phrase I had written downContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Let’s Wander”
Tunes on Tuesday: Struttin’ With Some Barbecue
Why this tune? Today I’m remembering Louis Armstrong on his birthday. My late father was a big jazz fan, and some of the earliest music I can remember are the sounds of Louis Armstrong coming from my dad’s mono hifi system. I’m sure he played “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue,” written by his wife Lil HardinContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Struttin’ With Some Barbecue”
Tunes on Tuesday: This House Is Empty Now
Why this tune? I read recently that Burt Bacharach released his first new songs in 15 years, a collaboration with the Nashville writer/producer Daniel Tashian. That event reminded me of one of my favorite albums, his project with Elvis Costello, “Painted From Memory” from 1998. If you haven’t heard it yet, please check it out. It’sContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: This House Is Empty Now”
Tunes on Tuesday: Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
Why this tune? Today marks the birthday today of Sonny Clark, a great pianist who died far too young in 1963 at age 31. He recorded a fine version of “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise” in 1958. This is another jazz and jam session classic that comes to us from the theater world, inContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Softly As In A Morning Sunrise”
Tunes On Tuesday: I Hate Onions
Why this tune? Back in May I wrote about my first song “I Believe In Rhubarb,” inspired by a conversation about gardening. My wife liked the song but suggested that I write another one about a subject closer to her heart. That led to my second song, “I Hate Onions,” which also marked the endContinue reading “Tunes On Tuesday: I Hate Onions”
Tunes On Tuesday: Caravan
Why this tune? As our COVID crisis continues, I’m thinking back to the regular gigs we enjoyed before the virus, like the monthly dates at Mr. Henry’s in Washington, DC with Aaron Myers and his band: with Percy White on bass and Will Stephens on drums. One instrumental we used to call regularly was Caravan,Continue reading “Tunes On Tuesday: Caravan”
Tunes On Tuesday: If I Were A Bell
Why this tune? If you’re a jazz fan, you may know If I Were A Bell as that Miles Davis tune from one of his great 1956 sessions for Prestige Records. Like so many jazz standards, though, it’s a song from a musical, in this case Guys and Dolls, written by the great Frank Loesser.Continue reading “Tunes On Tuesday: If I Were A Bell”
Tunes on Tuesday – St. Thomas
Why this tune? I’m writing this from St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. We heard a jazz concert here on one of our first visits, and weren’t surprised when the band closed the set with “St. Thomas,” named for another island in the VI. We associate the tune with Sonny Rollins, who recorded itContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday – St. Thomas”
Tunes on Tuesday – Alternative Facts
Why this tune? I have been working with the International Center for Journalists for several years on projects supporting independent journalism and countering disinformation. When I heard a government official talk about “Alternative Facts” on the news, that moved me off the couch and to the piano to start writing a response. I call thisContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday – Alternative Facts”
