When I was coming up in the 50s, simultaneous with the rise of Rhythm and Blues (soon to be Rock n' Roll), the primary (solo) instrument was the Sax (think King Curtis, Big Al Sears or Cannonball Adderley).Then, in 1952, Les Paul (born Lester Polsfuss) changed the course of musical history when the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar appeared on the ma …
Last Friday night, In the words of Dr. John “I been in the right place but it must have been at the wrong time.”We went with my Sea Cliff Book Group (thank you Odey Raviv for arranging) to the Public Theater in chilly NYC to experience the Bob Dylan inspired Girl From The North Country, which is a musical using Dylan’s entire oeuvre (word lifted fr …
As you may know, my son Alex has 2 bands: Tiajuana Caravan and, the off shoot, The Tall Boys. When Alex was in the crib we placed a toy guitar next to him and it took root. He now has more than 20 guitars and has become, to my taste, a very entertaining and talented performer fronting and writing songs for his bands. I know no greater thrill (kve …
I have learned why I have become addicted to my iPhone and Social Media. For background, please read my Friday With Fred blog of two weeks ago: I'm Addicted. It seems that when one garners a Facebook "Like" or comment it stimulates the body to produce the chemical dopamine and when that happens, as the great James Brown exclaimed, "I Feel Good!"I …
Bob Dylan is a contemporary and, with all his deserved glory, I wonder, if he was asked whether he has enjoyed a good life, would he answer candidly and what would he say?I imagine it's not easy being an artist, with the relentless pressure to continue to create and live up to an earlier iconic image. Mick, Keith, Paul, and the others: surely they …
Whether it's the classic: Summertime, and the livin' is easyFish are jumpin' and the cotton is highOh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'So hush little baby, Don't you cry One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singingAnd you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the skyBut 'til that morning, there ain't nothin' can harm youWith Da …
Elvis would have been 81 today. I wrote my best poem, The King, about Elvis. I adored the early Elvis as he came up in synch with my teenage hormonal awakening. Then he had to go into the Army. I once had a momentary one on one exchange with him. It was in his post Army-Vegas period. My Damon Runyon father had taken me to Vegas as a coming of a …
It's summertime summertime sum sum summertime summertime summertime sum sum summertime summertime summertime sum sum summertime summertime summertime sum sum summertime summertimeIt's Summertime!
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend