Old-school news, just in time
by Kevin Burton Had I had the mind to write this while she was still alive, my late sister Pat would have loved this series. It has been more than five months since she died, and reading that “late sister Pat” line above is still jarring and surreal. This is visceral. Nothing …
Continue reading “Catsongs: Music And Cats, Memories And Love”
by Kevin Burton So, what happens at the Burton household when Jeannette is away visiting relatives? Well it’s not fodder for a screenplay, I can tell you that. You can call it bachelor for a day if you want, but this truly is not that. We have long since commenced functioning as a …
by Kevin Burton When there is a Dave Barry book on your front porch, you’re having a good day. Every writerly thing in me, now wants to write, “nothing else matters.” But we both know that isn’t entirely true. Nothing else? Tell you what though Sugarbear, nothing else matters for the next …
by Kevin Burton OK, so this is what I get for digging into my favorite songs. First, Happy birthday to singer-songwriter Art Garfunkel, born on this day in 1941. I do not have a present for him today, but I have been pondering within his great gift to us. It was the …
Continue reading “Happy Birthday To The Great Art Garfunkel”
by Kevin Burton In the late 60s and 70s when DJs would spin “Get Back” by The Beatles, they didn’t say anything about Billy Preston, not that I ever heard anyway. But Preston was working closely with the Beatles on the album “Let It Be.” He was a big part of what they …
by Kevin Burton This song was headed for the top. No two ways about it. It was d-d-destiny, to borrow a stuttered word from the lyrics. The first time The Knack played “My Sharona” at MCA Whitney Recording Studios, producer Mike Chapman told the band it was going to be a number …
by Kevin Burton The artist hated them, I loved them and so did millions of others. From the 60s genius of legendary songwriting team Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and the 80s (post-70s really) brilliance of the Bee Gees, came two smash hits for Dionne Warwick. Both songs went to number 10 …
Continue reading “Imperfect Tens: Hits Dionne Warwick Hated”
by Dictionary Scoop They say that bad artists imitate, but it takes a great artist to make something new out of the work of others. In the world of music, the thin line between inspiration and plagiarism is often full of controversy, even when the similarities were not intended. Whether it’s a …
Continue reading “Stealing Grooves? Plagiarism or Coincidence?”
by Kevin Burton Look out kids, there may be science behind my old-man curmudgeonality. It seems newer songs are really not like the songs of old. Furthermore, technology is partially to blame. I’m having a good day! “If you feel curmudgeonly for thinking ‘They don’t make hits like they used …
Continue reading “Get Off My Lawn And Give Me The Old Songs!”
by Kevin Burton How would music history be different, had an invitation sent in 1972 been received favorably? The acrimony surrounding the Beatles’ breakup was not as fevered as Beatlemania itself – nothing else in music has ever been – but it was white hot. But some two years after the split, John …
Continue reading “Lennon’s 1972 Peace Overture To McCartney”
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