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Peter and the Wolf

In 1936 Natalya Sats commissioned Sergei Prokofiev to compose a piece for Moscow’s Central Children’s Theatre. The goal: to introduce children to the principals of the symphony. Somewhat ironically, the Orchestra went unnamed in this 1938, 3-disc RCA Victor recording. And while the initial reaction was lukewarm, Peter and the Wolf has introduced generations of youngsters, ...

November 29, 2021
Young Blue Eyes

It’s funny to think it, but even Ol’ Blue Eyes had a first hit.

November 19, 2021
Swingmatism

Jay McShann gave birth to the “Kansas City Sound”, but this song has gone down in history as a beginning of another sort.

November 17, 2021
Dark Was the Night…

…cold was the ground.

November 16, 2021
Transformation Scene from Jekyll and Hyde

“What a great costume, Dr. Jekyll…”

November 12, 2021
You Are My Sunshine

Jimmie Davis is regularly credited as creator of the classic “You Are My Sunshine”, heard here from 1941. But…if that’s true, then how did the Rice Brothers record it in 1939?

November 11, 2021
Jelly Roll Morton

Jelly Roll Morton had a habit of making large claims, none larger than the prediction of his own death.

November 10, 2021
All She Wants to do is Rock

Who says bluesmen aren’t poets? “Mr. Blues” himself with a nod to an early 20th century British modernist poet. And, a fair bit of double entendre.

November 6, 2021
The Foggy, Foggy Dew

Those young drifters; Seems they’d use anything to get a fair maiden to their bed.

November 4, 2021
Love In The Stacks

Casanova: rakish seducteur, suave, dashing… librarian?

November 3, 2021