Today marks the anniversary of the birth of one of my all-time favorite musicians – Jim Croce. My love affair with his music spawned from many a Saturday afternoon in spent either in my dad’s woodshop (a.k.a the garage) or the living room dancing with Dad to his collection of 45′s. My dad has an amazing singing voice, and he would belt out my favorites: Rapid Roy, bad Bad Leroy Brown, and Roller Derby Queen. I’ve selected some videos of my favorites. Happy birthday to you , Jim, and that sweet ‘stache. Now, if only I had video of those living room dance sessions…

2012 marks what would be the 100th birthday of musical great, Woody Guthrie. His 1943 book, “Bound For Glory,” inspired a blog by the same name which launched January 4th. Over the next few days fans will post their collective thoughts and experiences after reading the book, what some call Guthrie’s autobiography. If you’re a fan of the book, the music, or the man, check it out + chime in!

With the earworm which will not die burning a hole in my brain, I couldn’t help but dig up clips to study of the rock n’ roll master himself, Mick Jagger. His twirls, thrusts, and pain-filled facial expressions are something I might not yet be bringing to the local club just yet. Time to grab the tightest jeans humanly possible, slap on a crop top, and pump up the volume. Let the lesson begin…

The video is flipped, which is strange…but the moves are still there (:

Of course, a cape.

hot stuff

[Photo credits :: samwilkinson, itsmymusic!♫, Pan-African News Wire Photo File, Affendaddy]

Aretha Franklin’s voice has recorded 20 #1 singles on the Billboard R&B charts, earned 20 Grammys and has melted the soul of this twenty-something girl since birth. I can still hear that old, scratchy 45 of “Think” spinning it’s guts out on my parents’ turntable (Don’t even get me started on her love for wackado hats). Happy birthday and much love to the legendary Aretha Franklin.

Learn more about Aretha from the Biography Channel [via Hulu]

Growing up, I managed to destroy TWO beta tapes of Annie by watching them over, and over, and over again. I eventually moved onto The Wizard of Oz and the likes of My Fair Lady (although, at the age of 8, I could barely understand what Audrey was saying). Musicals via film or stage have always put a smile on my face, and the oldies are always close to my heart. Here are clips from a few of my favorite vintage movie musicals, and feel free to share some of your favorites in the comments, below!

One of my all-time favorite old flicks is “A Song is Born” (1948) starring Danny Kaye. A Song is Born staffs jazz greats like Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, the Golden Gate Quartet, Tommy Dorsey, Mel Powell, Louis Bellson, and Charlie Barnett and lets the viewer tune in to watch them tear away at sweet rythms during  jam sessions throughout the film. The music makes it worth giving this one a try, and I hope you do!

Plot Summary :: Gangster’s moll Honey Swanson goes into hiding when her boyfriend is under investigation by the police. Where better to hide than a musical research institute staffed entirely by lonely bachelors? She gets more than she bargained for when the head of the institute Professor Hobart Frisbee starts to fall for her. (IMDB)

Found by :: Guybob avital

A beautiful vintage find. The haunting faces in the side of this piece stare right back at you.

Louis Armstrong’s music has the magical power to send me on an emotional rollercoaster. Lucky for us, a new edition of those tracks from the 1935-46 Decca recordings, mostly of his work with the big bands, has just been released by Mosaic.

Listen or read a review of the release over at NPR.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new seven-disc set that chronicles the trumpeter’s big band performances. Mosaic restored and remastered each of the 166 tracks from Decca Records’ original recordings.