Jimmy Wyble (1922-2010)

Guitarist Jimmy Wyble passed away last week. His is a pretty remarkable story. Not only was he a Western Playboy but he was a member of Red Norvo's trio/quartet/quintet for a good long stretch at the end of the 1950s. In fact, he is featured in glorious technicolor in Ocean's Eleven (1960).

As a memorial, I've posted a couple of clips that are very close to my heart. Both are from "Screaming Mimi" a 1958 Gerd Oswald film that definitely falls into the exploitation/"B" category. I've seen the film - watchable mostly for the scenery. This not includes a pre-La Dolce Vita Anita Ekberg, but also several exterior shots of the International Settlement neighborhood in San Francisco. More on that another time. For now, dig on Red Norvo and his quartet and savor the brief glimpses of Jimmy's playing.

Leonard Bernstein & Aaron Copland (1958)

Thanks to Stupefaction for reminded me of Boing Boing, who then pointed me in the direction of some kind soul who posted several parts of Leonard Bernstein's EXCELLENT 1958 televised "Young People's Concerts". There is something pretty gripping about Lenny turning the podium over to composer Aaron Copland who then conducts what is perhaps his best known work.

Altec Lansing (1954)

Pages from the 1954 Altec Lansing home audio catalog. High Fidelity.

1957-D, No. 1 (1957)

Painting by Clifford Still

The Madison Time (1960)

I woke up this morning with a yearning desire. A yearning desire to dance the Madison. Fortunately for both me as well as countless others out there who awoke with a disturbance in their minds, relief is just a few clicks away.

First, let's drop a coin in the jukebox and check out the Ray Bryant's hit.

Now, let's learn a bit about the history of the dance here.

Finally, in case you missed it, let's check out the dance steps.

Feel better? Yeah, me too.

Willie Mitchell (1928-2010)

Rest in peace.

Merry Xmas (1950)

This Christmas, sit down with your egg nog by the fire, and dig into the amazingly true story of the legendary Korla Pandit. "People talk about adversity..."