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 Mystery Of Leon Redbone

  An enigma, but instead of being wrapped in a riddle, he sports a Panama suit.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jul 06, 2009

• Retro Redux: The Paler George Hamilton

  To be honest, he could probably use a little time in the tanning booth.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 30, 2009

• Retro Redux: Bobby Lewis And The School Of Hard Knocks

  We can only imagine how tough it must have been.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 27, 2009

• Retro Redux: Doc Watson Is Still Pickin'

  Every guitarist acknowledges a debt to this national treasure.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 24, 2009

• Retro Redux: Slim & Slam's Sly Song

  You'll never guess what the song was about.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 22, 2009

• Retro Redux: The Blue Lady — Helen Forrest

  Artie, Benny, and Harry all appreciated her ability to interpret a song.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 16, 2009

• Retro Redux: Buddy DeFranco Deserves Some Love

  One of the best to ever pick up the licorice stick.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 12, 2009

• Retro Redux: Master Of Vibrato - Sidney Bechet

  He was known for his signature sound — and for his love of the spotlight.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jun 04, 2009

• Retro Redux: Tennessee Ernie And The Caravelles

  The same song in two different decades — and two very different sounds.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 30, 2009

• Retro Redux: Glen Campbell And The Bogus Beach Boys

  Even with constantly changing personnel, this group's music was first class.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 27, 2009

• Retro Redux: All The "Signs" For Success Were There

  It was a song that definitely tweaked establishment noses.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 22, 2009

• Retro Redux: In Search Of A Salty Dog

  They're all around us, but do you know how to identify one?

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 18, 2009

• Retro Redux: The Amazing Dinnings

  They were a part of everything from the big band era to Toad The Wet Sprocket.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 16, 2009

• Retro Redux: Johnny Duncan's 'Skiffle' Inspired The Beatles

  A huge hit in England, he was never able to achieve stardom in his native land.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 11, 2009

• Retro Redux: A Group Called Smith

  According to the Wikipedia, it's the most common surname in the US — but for a musical group, it's kinda iffy.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 07, 2009

• Retro Redux: The Third Passenger At Clear Lake

  We all know about Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, but what do you remember about the other guy?

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 02, 2009

• Retro Redux: Ivie And The Duke Hit The Road

  The Duke was known to pay more attention to the instrumentation than to the vocalists, but she was an exception.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on May 01, 2009

• Retro Redux: Honky-Tonk Swingin' With Hank Thompson

  His signature song became a legendary country music anthem.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Apr 27, 2009

• 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