2014 Musical Exploration - Week 3
I was slightly more enthused looking at the first few weeks of the year about the third week, than I was about starting off with two weeks of pop music. That said, out of the decade channels I was least excited about a week of the 1940's than any of the others. For the third week in a row, I was pleasantly surprised.
Week #03 January: 40's on 4 - Pop Hits/Big Band
What I was supposed to hear: All aboard Track Number 4. The Savoy Express with Big Bands, classic vocal stars and hits from the '40s and beyond!
What I expected to hear: Lots of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Bing Crosby
What I actually heard: Lots of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and not as much Bing Brosby as I expected. I heard a lot of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey and The Dorseys. I'll admit, I have very little knowledge of music from the 40's and what was new and exciting for me are good ole stand-bys of the era. I was aware of Tommy Dorsey, but not Jimmy. I'm a little more partial to Jimmy.
I expected all Big Band sound, but was pleased to hear how much swing and jazz carried over from the 1920's and 30's. I really enjoyed that sound much more than the Andews Sisters and the like. I was exposed to Artie Shaw and Count Basie for the first time, and I have to say...love 'em both! Artie Shaw showed me that you can really get after it on a clarinet. The 'saxamaphone' gets all the sexy attention in the reed instrument family, but damn, Artie Shaw with a clarinet is like Jimi Hendrix with a guitar. Sorta.
Three songs that caught my ear:
Pistol Packin' Mama - Al Dexter - The first time I heard this song, it was sung by Willie Nelson. It was good to hear the original. It appeals to my country music side.
The Java Jive - Ink Spots - How can a song that starts, "I love coffee, I love tea. I love the java jive and it loves me," not catch my ear? I do love coffee, so I have to give mention to a song simply about coffee. Nothing else, just coffee...and tea.
Swingin' the Blues - Count Basie - For me this song sums up my week in the 1940's. A little swing, a little blues, a little jazz and a whole lot of big band sound!
Another week that only further exposed my closed-mindedness when it comes to music. (At least I can admit being closed-minded.) I enjoyed this week slightly more than the previous two weeks of pop music and give it a score of 7 out of 11.
Next week is the 1950's. The first week I have truly looked forward to. Elvis, Chuck Berry (one of my all-time favorites) and the Everly Brothers. The birth of rock n' roll! \m/ \m/