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: Still Waitin' For That Train

  A theory about the beginnings of a lifelong interest — some would call it an obsession.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Apr 23, 2009

• Retro Redux: Marchin' To The Train With King Curtis

  The song wasn't originally written as a march, but it seemed to work out pretty well this time.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Apr 17, 2009

• Retro Redux: Dave 'Baby' Cortez And His Happy Organ

  His instrument always seemed to be in a very good mood.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Apr 15, 2009

• Retro Redux: From Honky-Tonks To Pop Stardom - Al Dexter

  Not a familiar name to music fans now, but he was a super-star in his era.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Apr 09, 2009

• Retro Redux: Jan Savitt - The Enigmatic Russian

  Even if his early life was fuzzy around the edges, there was little doubt about his musical talent.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Apr 07, 2009

• Retro Redux: Saying Adios To Monte Hale

  He might not have been as famous as Roy or Gene, but he knew his way around a song.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Apr 01, 2009

• Retro Redux: Nagasaki — The Song, Not The City

  It's probably a very nice city — but we're here to talk about jazz.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 30, 2009

• Retro Redux: Bringin' The Blues — The Butterfield Blues Band

  Years before the Blues Brothers, this group brought Chicago-style blues to a wide audience.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 26, 2009

• Retro Redux: Leon Payne - The Multi-Talented Texan

  His blindness didn't prevent him from becoming one of the greats.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 21, 2009

• Retro Redux: In The Footsteps Of Glenn Miller

  His longest gig was the decade he spent leading his buddy's band.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 18, 2009

• Retro Redux: Comic Book Collector Wannabe

  The treasure seemed so close, but it would always be just out of reach.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 16, 2009

• Retro Redux: Remembering Hank Locklin

  The passing of a legend.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 09, 2009

• Retro Redux: From Poolrooms To Bandstands - Remembering Fats

  Not every Fats was a pool shark — but they were all special.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 04, 2009

• Retro Redux: The Jive Five — Keepin' It Alive

  Not just another Brooklyn doo-wop group — these guys knew how to adapt and survive.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 28, 2009

• Retro Redux: In Search Of The Real 'Hot Lips'

  The real 'Hot Lips' didn't go near a M*A*S*H — unless there was one where jazz was being performed.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 22, 2009

• Retro Redux: Tommy Cash - Singin' In The Shadow

  His famous brother wasn't the only talented member of the family.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 18, 2009

• Retro Redux: Walkin' The Walk

  What should have been a simple stroll turned out to be much more.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 13, 2009

• Retro Redux: Lloyd Price - Still Workin' Hard

  The R&B legend shows no evidence of slowing down.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 09, 2009

• Retro Redux: Respecting The Art Of Yodeling

  Admittedly an acquired taste, but it does have its fans.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 05, 2009

• Retro Redux: Tony Burrows - The Human Hit Machine

  He had the knack for being in the right place at the right time — a sort of musical Zelig.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 30, 2009