swing – Opus Project

(November 2024) Episode 615 is BIG JOE TURNER. Known as a blues shouter, a performer whose booming voice was needed to be heard above the band. Turner’s voice was as big as his girth. His music, a mix of swing, jump blues and R&B, was extremely influential in the development of rock-n-roll. The best example is his landmark “Shake, Rattle & Roll.” Turner’s top period was in the late 40s and early 50s, but he kept making recordings through the 60s, 70s and early 80s, including jazz and electric blues. I admire his music for its influential role, but for me the style gets the formulaic and tends to bore me.

Favorite album: The Boss of the Blues

Favorite song: Roll ‘Em Pete

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: A compendium of late 40s-early 50s songs will do.

(November 2023) Episode 531 is FRANK SINATRA. There’s little I could say about the Chairman of the Board that hasn’t been said by Bruno Kirby in Spinal Tap. If there were a Mt. Rushmore of American Voices, he’d be on it. Sinatra’s music generally falls in two categories: crooning ballads with syrupy strings and swingin’ tunes with boppin’ horns. I enjoy neither. In fact, slogging my way through his big discography, at times I hated it. Undeniably, though, Sinatra’s music evokes an era and a style, and that’s worth something. But it’s not for me. He also gets demerits in my book for not writing his music.

Favorite album: Come Fly With Me

Favorite song: Brazil

Favorite sing-along song: Strangers in the Night

Worst album of covers: Some Nice Things I’ve Missed

Worst cover song (among many): Mrs. Robinson

Worst album art: Only the Lonely

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: I can’t see why you would listen to this other than as a soundtrack for a Mad Men costume party.

Tag: swing

615. Big Joe Turner

531. Frank Sinatra