Motown magic to Malibu: Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves @ Pepperdine 1
Sep
17
2017
It’s difficult to witness the decay of present-day Detroit and reckon that the city was a booming factory town in the 1960s. While Detroit’s auto manufacturers put America in the driver’s seat, Motown Records flooded dance floors and came as close to dominating Top 40 radio as any domestic record label in history. Berry Gordy, ...
Jack Jones: a lot of livin’ (and singin’) to do
Aug
31
2017
Frank Sinatra called Jack Jones, “one of the major singers of our time.” Mel Torme said he is “the greatest ‘pure’ singer in the world.” George Chakiris who himself recorded four memorable albums at Capitol Records recently said, “He has a wonderful voice and he never stopped working on it. The last time I saw ...
The friendship of cowboy singers
The arts “get to us” in so many different ways. There may be something about the turbulence of the past week, a time of saber-rattling, that has particularly touch our nation at the passing away of a gentle spirit named Glen Campbell. Here in Los Angeles, the Autry Museum of the American West issued a ...
Review: Glen Campbell Goodbye Tour, Hollywood Bowl 2012
Aug
10
2017
editor’s note: Guest writer Richard Ginell contributes a Daily Variety review (published June 24, 2012) of the final concert at the Hollywood Bowl by Glen Campbell (1936 – 2017). One correction; “Ghost On The Canvas” would not be his last album; two more were to follow. Presented by Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.Band: Glen Campbell (TJ ...
Mission: Possible! Lalo Schifrin 85th birthday concert 2
Musicians at Play, Music Fund Los Angeles, and Varèse Sarabande are honored to present Lalo Schifrin’s 85th Birthday Concert at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. The evening will be hosted by Robert Townson. Guest Conductor Chris Walden will lead an all-star big band in celebrating Lalo’s life, artistry, and esteemed body of work. Lalo ...
1791 was a very good year, says the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Aug
6
2017
Not loving 2017? The Los Angeles Philharmonic has a solution for that. Our symphony orchestra is offering a visit to Walt Disney Concert Hall — that’s already a nice escape — with an added fillip, the delicious prospect of traveling back in time. The year is 1791, the final one of Mozart’s life. It was ...
Time has finally come today. The Chambers Bros at Levitt Pavilion
Jul
26
2017
The Chambers Brothers are an American soul band, best known for its eleven minute long 1968 hit “Time Has Come Today”. The group was part of the wave of new music that integrated American blues and gospel traditions with modern psychedelic and rock elements. Like their West Coast contemporaries Sly and the Family Stone, the ...
REVIEW: Savion Glover sizzling at the Ford 2
It is a Dance Criticism 401 assignment describing Savion Glover in performance — savagely fit, in top form, at his most forthcoming. Words fall short. Yet that is what we had at Saturday’s festive season-opener of the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. The refurbished Ford’s long commitment to dance, season after season presenting local and visiting ...
We’re not little old ladies. And we’re not from Pasadena. But we’re going to ‘Jan & Dean’s Beach Party’ at Levitt Pavilion.
Jul
6
2017
Even though we hear there are gonna be two girls for every boy. And that sucks! Bring your surfboards to hear Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean sing “Little Old Lady from Pasadena”, “Dead Man’s Curve” and “Surf City” along with his group of musicians who have performed with both Jan & Dean and The ...