Blog Archives

“Why Is This Night Different From All Other Nights?” . . : Grateful Dead At Cornell 5/8/77

On May 8th, 1977, the Grateful Dead played what many consider, one of their best shows ever. It’s certainly is one of their most famous, that being their show at Barton Hall at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Why the big

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Posted in Grateful Dead, Jam Band, Music Appreciation and Analysis

“There’s A Riot Going On” . . : Duke Ellington’s Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue At Newport Jazz Festival, 1956

The mid 1950’s were not the best of times for Duke Ellington and his Orchestra. While dominating jazz from the late 1920s through to the 40s, his post war recordings suffered in comparison. In addition, changes in popular culture were

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Posted in Jazz, Music Appreciation and Analysis

“Rollin In My Sweet Baby’s Arms”: A Guide To Bluegrass History By Subgenre

A little while back I got on a bluegrass kick. I even learned a little bit of dobro (see https://roymusicusa.com/2021/06/28/seven-year-twitch-a-long-strange-trip-and-the-debut-album-of-wire-wood-steel/). While I wasn’t a complete stranger to the history of Bluegrass, I was aware that there were big gaps in

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Posted in Country/Bluegrass, Music Appreciation and Analysis

“This Is Your Brain On” . . . . : How Playing An Instrument Benefits Your Brain

When you think about it, the actual process of how we hear music is pretty amazing. Something, say like a plucked string, puts out vibrations that travel through the air and somehow get inside the ear canal. These vibrations tickle

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Posted in Music Appreciation and Analysis

Cause We Ended As Lovers . . : Jeff Beck 1944 – 2023

If you are reading this, then you’re into guitars and if you’re into guitars then you no doubt know of the passing of guitar legend Jeff Beck. There are plenty of online articles and videos that have gone into Beck’s

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Posted in Classic Rock, Music Appreciation and Analysis

Holiday Haiku 2022

This year has been hardWith music it’s been betterSo let us play on (music in link below) Jingle Blues

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Posted in Country/Bluegrass, Jam Band

“Mrs. Peel . . . We’re Needed”: British TV Spy-Fi Music From The Sixties

Being the boomer that I am (yes, I know that as a member of a given market derived demographic I represent all that is wrong with the world. . . . you’re welcome) I have different pop culture references than

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Posted in Music Appreciation and Analysis

“Roam If You Want To” . . . : The B-52’s

I recently read the the B-52’s were making their farewell tour. I first encountered the B-52’s when my brother came home from Baltimore and brought some of his records with him, including the first B-52 album. I was still in

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Posted in Classic Rock, Uncategorized

“Playing In The Band” . . : An Interactive GD Experience

This should of interest to all my fellow Deadheads out there. It’s obvious appeal is the musicians among you but I believe this would be illuminating to any fan of the music. It’s a new feature on the official Grateful

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Posted in Classic Rock, Grateful Dead, Jam Band, Music Appreciation and Analysis

“White Stuff On My Nose” . . . : I Wanna Be A Lifeguard by Blotto

As we come to the tail of end of summer here, there’s a song that always comes to mind. The song: I Wanna Be A Lifeguard. The band: Blotto. I Wanna Be A Lifeguard – Blotto Coming from Albany, New

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Posted in Classic Rock, Music Appreciation and Analysis
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