With the Wuhan Flu keeping so many people isolated, there is need for distraction. As we are seeing, there has been a considerable reduction in commuting, including the frustrations. The following “tunes” include sad and bluesy songs in keeping with today’s moods.
There are some “remedy” songs as well. Also, there is a selection from an album called Vintage Songs of Sex, Drugs & Cigarettes.
No prudery here.
The first “tune” is The Commuter Blues, by the Ray Charles Singers. There is no connection to the blues-popular singer Ray Charles. Fun lyrics:
The next one is by the Count Basie Trio, Blues in the Alley. Written by Basie, it exemplifies his very simple but effective style.
As the saying goes “There are only two kinds of music – Country and Western”. And the following by Crystal Gayle is about as wistful as it gets.
All selections are from Bob’s library which were downloaded years ago. From the “Blues and Sad” file, which seems appropriate. Down the Street, ’Round the Corner Blues is by Lawrence Brown who played trombone mainly with Ellington from 1932 to 1970.
Brown could also be doing the vocal.
Of course, some people have livened up being isolated with some refreshments. The first one in this section is a favorite by the UB40 group:
Then there is something more colorful from an album called Vintage Songs of Sex, Drugs & Cigarettes: That Cat is High is by the “Ink Spots”, who were widely popular in the 1940s.
Erskine Hawkins played trumpet and fronted a band under his name from 1936 until 1993, when he passed away. His best known composition is the jazz standard Tuxedo Junction. However, the following After Hours has a lot going for it. Particularly, the pianist Avery Parrish, who also wrote it.
The next tune in our entertainment list is for those who are isolated but with their partner. The classic Cocktails for Two. Written in 1934 to celebrate the end of Prohibition, the 1961 version by Betty Carter includes a vocal group as well as Ray Charles, himself.
And this section would not be complete without Scotch and Soda. This is the original by the Kingston Trio in their first album “The Kingston Trio” released in 1958. Bob Shane carries the vocal and he passed away in January.
The next song is for those who may be isolated in one place, with their “sweetie” isolated somewhere else. The saddest of circumstances. Blue Fantasia by Johnny Hodges, fronting his own band. He played alto sax with remarkable confidence and tone, spending most of his career with Ellington.
But Where are You with words and music by Irving Berlin dates to 1936 and really is a lonely song. This version is by Harriet Hilliard and for those who are interested it would be worthwhile checking her out in “Wiki”.
Bob Hoye (BobHoye.com) has been researching investments for decades, which eventually included the history of financial and political markets. He considers now to be the most fascinating time for both since the Great Reformation of the 1600s. Bob casts a caustic eye on all promotions and, having a degree in geophysics, is severely critical of the audacity that a committee can “manage” not just the economy, but also the temperature of the nearest planet. He has had articles published in major financial journals and, as a speaker, has amused assemblies in a number of cities, from London to Zurich to Tokyo.
