The DJs Made Old-Time Radio Come Alive

by Kevin Burton    Music fans who go back as far as the 80s and especially before, badly miss the old days of radio.     You had music historians, actual musicians and others who loved music, choosing what records hit the airwaves. It was a wacky, fun time for listeners across musical genres. It was …

What’s Stranger Than Fiction, AND Truth?

by Kevin Burton    All the cool band names are taken. Trust me. Record label names too.    When last we gathered, I spun a fictional account based ever so loosely goosely on a true story. It was about a band called the Palindromes that made it big in Bermuda.   The true part of …

“Backward And Forward” And My Memories

by Kevin Burton     I guess there’s a reason why melody and memory aren’t far apart in the dictionary. They go together like peas and porridge.     And, for those who think there is something pejorative in the term “one-hit wonder,” well what about all those no-hit nobodies?    We’re all doing our best then, …

Spoonful’s John Sebastian Turns 79

by Kevin Burton     Happy 79th birthday to the personable multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter John Sebastian.    Both his music and his personality seem accessible, based on how he comes off in interviews on You Tube. I mean, here’s a rock and roller who plays the auto harp of all things. He said he learned the instrument …

The Abacus Is Still A Low-Tech Wonder

by Kevin Burton    Do you remember any of the gifts you received in fourth grade? Do you have any of them still? Are they in working order?    I have one.    In fourth grade our teachers at the Ohio State School for the Blind sat us down and introduced us to Mrs. Davidow.  …

The Case For George Harrison, Best Beatle

by Kevin Burton     I asked a co-worker, a big Beatles fan who has played guitar since high school, for his opinion on The Big Question: Who was the most essential Beatle?    I suppose I was spoiling for a McCartney/Lennon fight. That discussion goes to Paul McCartney and John Lennon and stops there, right? …

Legendary Composer Bacharach Dead At 94

by Kevin Burton    You know Burt Bacharach, even when it’s not Burt Bacharach.    Bacharach died Wednesday at home in Los Angeles of natural causes, according to his publicist, Tina Brausam.    The Kansas City-born composer had an unmistakable sound, especially in his work with longtime writing partner, lyricist Hal David.    The New …

Another Set Of Musical Valentines

by Kevin Burton    Yesterday I plucked ten of my favorites from a Billboard list of the 40 biggest duets ever. Today I’ll list ten of my favorites that didn’t make their last.    Pulling from that list was easy. Now I’m picking from every other duet ever released. Chances are quite high that I …

(Mostly) Sweet Duets For Valentine’s Day

by Kevin Burton    Love is in the air, not to mention on all the store shelves. I’m sure you’ve noticed.    Gentlemen, you’re on this, right? One week from today, Valentine’s Day.    OK, to get you in the mood, we’ll have not one, but two posts this week dealing with duets. For Valentine’s …

Consider The Source Of The Promise

by Kevin Burton    This is the story of two songs, one title; two sources, one promise, namely, “the best.”    And, within the setting of popular music, it’s also a mini grammar lesson about comparative and superlative adjectives.    Chances are you have heard the one song, but not the other. The title of …