Saturday Matinee – Leon Russell, Dr. John, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Jimmy Smith; Red Nichols, Pete Candoli & Al Hirt

That’s Claude Russell Bridges, aka Leon Russell, 1964.

That’s Malcom John Rebennack, Jr., aka Dr. John, playing Stephen Foster‘s “Swanee River Boogie.” Not sure what year this one’s from.

The Squirrel Nut Zippers‘ “Ghost of Stephen Foster” has been posted here before, but I like it.

Bill Doggett‘s “Honky Tonk” by Jimmy Smith is a head-bobber.

Three of the greatest trumpet players of all time: Red Nichols, Pete Candoli and Al Hirt playing “Hot Lips,” ca. 1964.

That’s it for now.  Have a great weekend folks, and be back here tomorrow for more fun.

Saturday Matinee – Miscellany

For the New Year, we thought that this Saturday Matinee might consist of top hits of decades past… that is until we looked at the list of contenders:

1890 Semper Fidelis – The U.S. Marine Band [no video]
1899 Kiss Me, Honey, Do – Arthur Collins [no video]
1909 Good Evening, Caroline – Frank Stanley & Elise Stevenson [no video]
1919 O Death, Where Is Thy Sting? – Bert Williams [no video]
1929 Sweethearts On Parade – Guy Lombardo [no live video]
1939 They Say – Artie Shaw [no video]
1949 A Little Bird Told Me – Evelyn Knight [no live video]
1959 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – The Platters
1969 Crimson And Clover – Tommy James & The Shondells
1979 Too Much Heaven – BeeGees
1989 My Prerogative – Bobby Brown
1999 Have You Ever – Brandy
2009 Love Story – Taylor Swift

After careful consideration and review of the available videos on the Utoobage, we just couldn’t bring ourselves to post any of them, but the links are there just in case some of you are into self-flagellation.  Meanwhile, let’s just back away from the pop trainwrecks for now.

The shortest Rolling Stones song you never heard. [Found here.]

As for rock commercials, try this.

Squirrel Nut Zippers’ “Ghost of Stephen Foster” with a cool cartoon.

[Update 12:50PM – Gabriel left this fine memory in Thursday’s comments.  Gotta post it here.]