April 30, 2009, - 12:51 am

What I’m Listening To

By Debbie Schlussel
Longtime readers know I like some ’80s standbys, like Genesis and hard rock and metal–groups like Sevendust. But I like jazz, too. My dad–a jazz, bluegrass, and classical music fan–took me to a lot of jazz concerts when I was a kid. Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, George Benson, you name it. And I acquired the taste. I especially the kind of jazz that fuses funk (which I also love) and jazz.
One of the best versions of that is the fast-moving, upbeat jazz classic, “Always There.” Love the Ronnie Laws (a jazz/funk/blues saxophonist, who started with “Earth Wind & Fire”) 1975 version best, but I also really like the Willie Bobo (a Latin percussionist) rendition from 1978. The Ronnie Laws version is part of my work out music and is also great for getting me to clean my apartment. It’s got a Summer-y sound.


Another group I like from the ’70s jazz incarnation is Spyro Gyra. My friend, Tom Walsh, was a founding member of the group and is now a drummer for Dennis Quaid’s band, “Dennis Quaid and the Sharks.” Will put up some of the SG songs I like in the future.






4 Responses

Thanks for the video / audio. Of the limited number of artists I purchased, these two were some of my favs…

ob3 on April 30, 2009 at 10:16 am

I like jazz myself, too. Wouldn’t say I’m a hardcore fan, but I am growing more and more in love with it, the smooth jazz at least.
One of my faves is Candy Dulfer. She’s sorta funky and a great sax player….and she is REALLY HOT, too!
A local here in Nashville jazz guitarist I love to listen to is Denny Jiosa.
What a coincidence, I’m going to the Murfreesboro Jazz Festival this weekend, too.

Jeff_W on April 30, 2009 at 11:49 am

I can’t say I’m a big fan of your musical tastes, Debbie; however, you may not be a fan of my musical offerings on youtube either (the public sound webpage I used to use for my underzog website has shut down so I have to replay the stuff at youtube):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eujo8Sbg2Xs&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcx8dycbEb0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YotZsRbfdWU&feature=channel_page
[U: WOW, VERY IMPRESSIVE. YOU ARE TALENTED, INDEED. I DID SAY I LIKE CLASSICAL MUSIC (SOMEWHERE ON MY SITE). DS]

Underzog on April 30, 2009 at 6:07 pm

Deb, like that taste in music. George Benson has two songs I like of his…On Broadway covering the Drifters and the immortal instrumental Breezin–a good song TV stations could’ve used to sign-off the air back in the day.
Having worked at one point for an NPR station, I did get exposed to classical music. So in bed, I put on WQXR-FM, one of America’s top classical music radio stations, despite its ownership by the NY Slimes.
I like honest to goodness oldies, not this watered down classic hits shtick like heard on any corporate radio station, even WCBS-FM in NYC…I mean Early rock and roll. I prefer Hound Dog done more by Big Mama Thornton–GROWLING AS SHE DOES through it. And the more rockabilly Blue Suede Shoes by Carl Perkins as opposed to Elvis ribald sound. But in terms of the King, it’s Jailhouse Rock as my favorite song of his.
Like on SIRIUS Satellite it’s the 50’s on 5 and 60’s on 6 in addition to 70’s on 7 and a little of the 80’s on 8–was no fan of most 80’s music…too cheesy. But Genesis is a good choice, Phil Collins as well.
The only Metallica song I love…ENTER SANDMAN! Reason, when the Yankees are ahead at home, and it’s the 9th inning, that song beckons Mariano Rivera…THE BEST DAMN CLOSER in baseball.
Also like pop standards and big band…Glenn Miller, The Dorseys, Mr. Sinatra, and so on. I sometimes tune in The Big Broadcast on WFUV the Fordham Univ. station in the Bronx for really old music from swing and big band…20’s, 30’s, 40’s.
In fact I prefer for female singers people more like Dinah Shore, Frances Langford, Marilyn Maxwell, The Andrews Sisters and Connie Haines as opposed to Britney, XTina and those pop tarts (well maybe Taylor Swift would be an exception–I love Love Story).
And of course, Motown.
Can’t say anymore.

NEPatriot on April 30, 2009 at 6:52 pm

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