VOICES — an ongoing conversation on music that matters
Who's The Hoo-Doo Man?
Driftin' Slim's roster of pseudonyms is extensive even for a bluesman. He performed and recorded as Model T Slim, Driftin' Smith, Harmonica Harry, as well as under his given name, Elmon Mickle. And any additional confusion about his band might be forgiven, because on 10 of the 15 cuts featured on Somebody Hoo-Doo'd The Hoo-Doo Man, on the Original Blues Classics label, Driftin' Slim is the band: vocals, harmonica, guitar, and drums.... MORE
Miles Of Haze
Blue Haze (OJC, 1991) presents protean versions of Miles Davis' landmark tunes "Four," "Tune Up" and "Miles Ahead," from two mid-1950s sessions that feature Davis' trumpet as head of two different all-star foursomes. "Tune Up" and "Miles Ahead" feature Davis with pianist John Lewis, drummer Max Roach, and bassist Charles Mingus, who doubles on piano for his composition "Smooch." "Four" and "Blue Haze" team Davis with pianist Horace Silver, drummer Art Blakey, and bassist Percy Heath.... MORE
Oh, That Brahms
I still recall the affirmation of the woman seated behind me at the end of a live Brahms recital close to 35 years ago. "Oh, that Brahms!" she sighed, with a tone of appreciation and thanksgiving that encapsulated the feelings of several thousand people in the audience. You too will likely sigh as you listen to pianist Horatio Gutierrez, Andre Previn and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform the heavenly third movement Andante of Brahms' great Piano Concerto No. 2, available on the Telarc release Everybody's Brahms.... MORE
