Feature: Retro Redux

In his continuing quest to prove that the music of the past has a lot to offer today's music lovers, Big Geez takes time off from his busy duties as a hammock tester to write RETRO REDUX. For those who remember the songs, it's a journey into musical nostalgia that will take you to places you haven't been for a while -- not only revisiting many of your favorite songs (even those you might have forgotten), but also telling the often surprising stories of the people who made the music. For those music lovers who might have come along a little too late to have actually experienced the music of the past, it's an opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.

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Big Geez

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• Retro Redux: The Incomparable Erroll Garner

  His distinctive grunts and groans, combined with his equally special playing style, helped make his music instantly identifiable to fans.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 23, 2007

• Retro Redux: The Gentle Giant - Don Williams

  He's one of the best-selling country balladeers of all time, with over forty top-ten hits - seventeen of them reaching number one.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 19, 2007

• Retro Redux: Remembering Elvis - Via Terry Stafford

  Maybe the way to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Elvis' finale is to view it from an entirely different perspective.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 15, 2007

• Retro Redux: Changing Musical Tastes Lead To Commitments

  Their versions of many R&B classics might not be as smooth or polished as the originals, but their spirit and sense of fun is infectious.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 09, 2007

• Retro Redux: Perry Como's Answer To Rock & Roll

  Beloved by his fans, Perry was known in the business as a true gentleman — but wasn't exactly teen idol material.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 05, 2007

• Retro Redux: Pete Fountain Was Always Welcome At Our House

  Dad enjoyed any good clarinetist, but there was one guy he would always watch on TV whenever possible.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jul 30, 2007

• Retro Redux: Did Boxcar Willie Really Ride The Rails?

  He became a country music star by taking a much different route than most, and part was - at least figuratively - taken by train.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jul 26, 2007

• Retro Redux: Swimmin' In the Moonlight With Elvis And Tony

  Elvis performed the song while cruising along in daylight - in a convertible filled with babes - rather than on a beach in the moonlight.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jul 20, 2007

• Retro Redux: From King Of Calypso To Renaissance Man - Harry Belafonte

  ...as young Harry studied acting he found himself meeting future stars such as Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jul 16, 2007

• Retro Redux: Mantovani Brought The Classics To Everybody

  I'd be willing to guarantee that almost everyone has heard his music at one time or another — and not just in an elevator.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jul 14, 2007

• Retro Redux: From Boogie-Woogie To Early Rock And Roll - Ella Mae Morse

  When Jimmy Dorsey's band appeared in her home town of Dallas she was only 14, but she auditioned anyway...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jul 09, 2007

• Retro Redux: Marty Robbins - A Star In Many Different Genres

  It could be said that Gary Cooper introduced me to Marty Robbins.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jul 04, 2007

• Retro Redux: Eddie Fisher And The Ladies

  Some scandals were just whispered about when the kids (like me) were around, but others were very public.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 26, 2007

• Retro Redux: Afternoon Delight - A Dual-Purpose Guilty Pleasure

  ...in rare cases, both the song and its subject matter can be a guilty pleasure.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 12, 2007

• Retro Redux: Waaay Off Broadway With Cabaret

  Tony awards lead to thoughts of off-Broadway show...waaay off Broadway.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 11, 2007

• Retro Redux: Musical Moods From The Godfather

  It's pretty much a given that most men are fascinated by the Godfather movies.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 08, 2007

• Retro Redux: Clyde McCoy - Leaving The Legendary Feud Behind

  An early jazz pioneer who also happened to be a member of a family involved in a legendary hillbilly blood-feud.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 04, 2007

• Retro Redux: Johnnie Ray - The Prince Of Wails

  At least one music historian has described Johnnie Ray as a cross between Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 02, 2007

• Retro Redux: Origins Of Rock - Michael Jackson Echoes Bobby Day

  "Rockin' Robin" became a chart-topper and helped establish him as one of rock and roll's early stars.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 31, 2007

• Retro Redux: Origins Of Rock And Roll - Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith

  He had no idea that his signature song would become an important - some say seminal - moment in the origins of rock and roll.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 24, 2007