By Doug Levine I recently interviewed singer, songwriter and guitarist Devon Allman about his first solo album, “Turquoise.” Devon is the oldest son of Gregg Allman, co-founder of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame greats The Allman Brothers Band. Devon talked about growing up without his father and what it was like to meet him […]
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Make Mine A Double
Posted April 30th, 2013 at 9:52 pm (UTC+0)
By Doug Levine If you’re in the mood for some great electric blues, look no further than two new releases from Stony Plain Records. First, veteran guitarist, singer and bandleader Duke Robillard treats us to his signature blend of R&B, rock, jazz and Tex-Mex on his new album, “Independently Blue.” I remember hearing the name […]
When Harry Met VOA
Posted April 10th, 2013 at 2:47 pm (UTC+0)
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By Doug Levine Lots of famous musicians have walked through our doors here at VOA. Everyone from Quincy Jones and Chubby Checker to Kenny Rogers and Aretha Franklin, have come to the studio to chat, to perform or both. One of our most memorable guests was singer, pianist and bandleader Harry Connick, Jr., who visited […]
Maceo Parker Shares The Funky Stuff
Posted April 8th, 2013 at 3:36 pm (UTC+0)
By Doug Levine Maceo Parker is best known for his stint as the dynamic saxophonist for soul legend James Brown. With encouragement from close friends and colleagues, Parker recently penned an autobiography, “98% Funky Stuff – My Life In Music.” Maceo anchored James Brown’s horn section, performing funky sax riffs on countless hits. While his […]
What’s New Down South?
Posted March 29th, 2013 at 6:35 pm (UTC+0)
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By Doug Levine I had a chance to talk with Florida singer and guitarist JJ Grey, leader of his band Mofro. JJ describes his music as “swamp funk,” a style that might conjure up visions of cypress trees and alligators lurking in muddy waters. There’s no question, JJ Grey is a natural storyteller. His songs […]
Tags: blues, JJ Grey, JJ Grey & Mofro, Mofro, Swamp Blues, Swamp Funk, swamp music, Swamp Rock Posted in Blues
Theodore Roosevelt, Frank Lloyd Wright …Bob Dylan?
Posted March 19th, 2013 at 7:38 pm (UTC+0)
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By Doug Levine It’s another first for singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, who will become the first rock and roll artist inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Previously, Dylan was the first rock star to earn a nomination from the National Book Critics Circle for his memoir “Chronicles: Volume One,” and, in 2008, he […]
Mitch Woods Takes His “Blues Beyond Borders”
Posted January 17th, 2013 at 9:46 pm (UTC+0)
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By Doug Levine Who knew swing and boogie-woogie were so popular in Istanbul? Mitch Woods, who’s been playing piano around the world for decades, knows firsthand that Turkey loves the blues. In fact, his new CD “Blues Beyond Borders” was recorded live in Istanbul, a concert with so much energy you could almost hear the […]
Tags: Albert Ammons, blues, Boogie-woogie, Istanbul, Meade Lux Lewis, Mitch Woods, piano, swing, The Rocket 88's Posted in Americana, Blues, Jazz
Grammy Contender Kurt Elling Taps The Brill Building Sound
Posted January 10th, 2013 at 8:01 pm (UTC+0)
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By Doug Levine It’s a new year and with it comes a slew of awards shows. Now is it just me or are they doling out more and more trophies and plaques these days? This month alone brings four major awards, mostly for film and television. Of course, the Grammy Awards is still “music’s biggest […]
The Most Musical Time of the Year
Posted December 18th, 2012 at 1:19 pm (UTC+0)
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by Doug Levine It’s holiday time and that means music is in the air, everywhere. There’s holiday music on the radio and television, in concerts, supermarkets, restaurants, department stores, floating from invisible speakers at malls, on front lawns, and even in the waiting room at my dentist’s office. Walking into a convenience store last week […]
Farewell to a Penguin
Posted December 3rd, 2012 at 3:22 pm (UTC+0)
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By Doug Levine Does the name Cleve Duncan ring a bell? What if I preface it by saying “founding member of the ‘50’s vocal quartet The Penguins” Cleve Duncan? Ok, so he wasn’t a household name, but Duncan, who died November 7 at age 77, sang lead on one of the most beloved doo-wop songs […]
