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.  …

Love Is Growing New And She’s Still The One

by Kevin Burton    Found a lyric last week that is so cool, I want to use it to tell my happy Valentine’s Day story.    This is what happens when my usual Tuneful Tuesday post coincides with Valentine’s Day.    The song “Still The One” went to number five for Orleans in 1976.  It’s …

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 …

Raised On Radio: National Disc Jockey Day

by Kevin Burton    The other day I was researching music and stumbled upon the Raised On Radio podcast. I thought, yeah, wish I had thought of that.    That’s me. I was raised on radio.    When I got back online to find it again, I found something entirely different called Raised On The …

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 …

Bills-Vikings Super Bowl Just Has To Happen

by Kevin Burton    Right this minute, even the Seahawks fans have hope, or should I say Super Hope.    The NFL playoffs start Saturday. With seven teams in each conference there are 49 possible combinations of pairings for the big game.  In that strictly mathematical sense, all teams are equal.   But to paraphrase …

Here’s One Rockin’ And Rollin’ Birthday Party

by Kevin Burton   The idea of a birthday party – you know, with the cake and the funny hats – has always seemed lame to me.  Today I’m changing my tune.     There is one such party I would put together and attend if I could.  Wait till you hear the musicians who share …

Younger McCartney Travels His Own Path

by Kevin Burton    The English singer known professionally as Mike McGear has a birthday today. He turns 79.    Among the greetings and well wishes, he may get a birthday call, or maybe a musical card that plays the Beatles song “Birthday,” from his brother – Paul McCartney.    Peter Michael McCartney created the …