In the Groove

Yet another icon of my childhood, Mary Travers, one part of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died.
The 1960s trio performed such folk hits as "Puff the Magic Dragon," "If I had a Hammer," and a cover of Dylan's "Blowin in the Wind."
But it was their hit "Leaving on a Jet Plane," that brings back memories for me. At the time my oldest brother and my cousin were playing guitar and had me convinced that they wrote the song and sold it to the band. I was just a kid so I believed them. I also… Continue

I sat outside Newbury Comics in North Attleboro for 10 minutes Wednesday waiting for the store to open to purchase the box set of The Beatles stereo remastered compact discs before I finally decided to go through with it.
I plunked down my credit card and $212 later walked out and put them on for a listen to compare them to The Beatles collection I already own. For a rabid Beatles fan like myself the investment was worth it. For the casual fan, I recommend picking up the Beatles CDs you like bes… Continue

Unless there is some kind of DNA evidence, will the British police really be able to solve the death of Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones 40 years ago? Jones's accidental drowning in 1969 sparked speculation that he was murdered.
The Brits reportedly opened up the cold case after journalist Scott Jones, who is not related to the musician, handed them over 600 documents. Unless there are new suspects will his death really be solved? All the principals named in books written about the incident… Continue

I don't know a guitar player who isn't crying today.
Les Paul, who invented the solid-body electric guitar, died Thursday, Aug. 13 of complications from pneumonia at 94.
A few years ago, my wife and I were in New York City and I saw he was on the bill for some night club. I wanted to see him but never found the time. Now it's too late and I'll have to settle for reading or watching the people that knew him and saw him play.
My father, who hated the rock n' roll that Les Paul's invention would us… Continue

Boston's legendary rock station WBCN is turning to sports radio. It's sad to see. Instead of free music blaring through your car stereo you can hear entertaining commentary about sports. Or you can hear sports guys talk about politics, world history and foreign policy. All subjects most often outside the knowledge of many sports talk shows. It seemed inevitable in the MP3 and iPod age. Since I got an iPod I rarely listen to the radio. But sometimes a little free music is good. If the sports talk… Continue