03/13/2023

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"MacNamara's Band", Bing Crosby - Decca 23495-A (1946)

Friday 03/13/2009 a date that will live in infamy!

Okay, hopefully not - it was on that day that I sent out my first Musical Email Newsletter.

Fourteen years ago!

That's like Kindergarten through 12th grade - plus a year!

(I remember when that used to seem like a long time :-)

So to celebrate, I thought I'd repeat the first three songs I sent out.

(Actually, when I started, I only sent out one per week, but then I thought - it'll take years to play all my favorites - so I bumped it up to three a week. So this is the first three weeks worth.)

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I've always had the philosophy that if you KNOW about something then you get to decide if you like it or want it or not - but if you don't know about it you don't get to decide - you just won't have it.

When I was a kid I never had Brussels sprouts. My parents didn't care for them so we never had them at home. 

I never tried them until I was an adult but found I really like Brussels sprouts - now their one of my favorite vegetables.

I have no doubt some people will try Brussels sprouts and say "these taste like garbage - I hate them".

That's okay too, that's my point - if you KNOW about something - you get to decide - otherwise you just won't have them.

I think Brussels sprouts make my life just a little bit better - a little happier - sure not much - just a little up tick better - but it all adds up.

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I've found in life there are a LOT of interesting things to know about - a LOT.

Our world is a fascinating cornucopia of interesting stuff.

Whether it's old records or old movies or old TV shows or music or art or history or philosophy or science or technology or countless other things - I've never lost my amazement at all the interesting stuff there is out there to know about.

I read some where, "the more you know, the more you know there IS to know" and I believe it.

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Music is very personal, not everybody likes the same songs.

I don't expect everybody will like every song I play - maybe only a few songs.

But I hope sharing these old records will bring a little smile to people.

I hope you hear an artist or band you've never heard of before and will think, "these guys are actually pretty good - I like them" and will get at least a little up tick of happiness in your life - no matter how little.

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I've never said "old songs are better than new songs" (okay maybe I have but it doesn't matter) - my real feeling is "be a glutton - have them all - enjoy them all".

There are a lot of good, old songs that are being forgotten and I think that's a shame.


Stay Jazzed!
--Tom Swezey


"Rip Van Winkle", Ella Mae Morse with Billy May's Orchestra - Capitol 226 (1945)

"Frankie and Johnny", Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians - Decca 24288 B (1947)



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