Not long ago, someone preposterously complained that my iPhone’s playlist only had old jazz songs. The observation was surprising because a discerning person should know that a playlist of old jazz songs is, truly, a playlist of good music. Worse, imagine hearing that one can’t dance to swing. One might as well be told that…

Louis Armstrong and the Mills Brothers had their doubts about the W.P.A.’s make-work jobs. Recorded in 1940 – hat tip to David Bernstein of the Volokh Conspiracy for the link.

Something subtle for a new week’s beginning. Enjoy. Joe Pass & Django Reinhardt – Insensiblement from Puerto Libre on Vimeo.

It’s opening day at Miller Park (1:10 PM)

Happily posting a suggested song. Enjoy. .

You’ve probably been waiting, as so many others have, for a Presidents’ Day Song about James K. Polk. Your patience is rewarded: here’s They Might Be Giants with their original, definitely B-side song, ‘James K. Polk.’ As one can guess, it’s a tongue-in-cheek tribute, as Polk’s policies met with significant opposition (Lincoln and other Whigs,…

Alicia Keys offered a slower, and I think elegant, rendition of the Star Spangled Banner last night. Enjoy.

More about both musicians is available online, in articles on Billy Taylor and Dick Hyman.

Sometimes one hears a song, or singer, of whom one has (sadly) never before heard. The world’s a big place; so very many fine singers and songs too long escape one’s notice. For me, here’s a find like that… Heather Rigdon. Enjoy.