New single - November 2023
THE NIGHT WE CALLED IT A DAY
Here's another song from way back, this time from 1941. Later on in the 1950's it became a jazz standard and was covered by Chet Baker, June Christie and many others. In more recent times there have been versions by Diana Krall and Bob Dylan. It was written by Matt Dennis with lyrics by Tom Adair and is notable, so Wikipedia tells us, for being Frank Sinatra's first solo single in 1942. Another version of this song is featured on my album 'Through A Glass Darkly'. This recording came to light recently and features the late, great Victor Unukovsky on guitar. This release is a tribute to him.
Shamus Dark - vocal
Rick Laughlin - piano
Victor Unukovsky - guitar
Bernard O' Neill - bass
Andy Dewar - drum programming
PRODUCED by Andy Dewar
New single - October 2023
THE THRILL IS GONE
Here's an old song from C1930 which, since the middle of the 20th century has, like many other songs from that era, become a jazz standard. Composed by Ray Henderson, with lyrics by Lew Brown, it was originally featured in the 1931 Broadway review, 'George White's Scandals'. Jazz buffs may be familiar with versions by Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Julie London and Chet Baker. Having said that, it is perhaps rather obscure these days so this version, featuring some lovely bluesy guitar, brings it into the 21st century. The music track is available for streaming and downloads everywhere.
Shamus Dark - vocals
Adrian Sledmere - guitar
Andy Dewar - bass & drum programming
Douglas McAuley - additional programming
PRODUCED by Andy Dewar
Jeff Buckley revisited - February 2023
EVERYBODY HERE WANTS YOU
I had some good feedback recently on this version of Jeff Buckley's song, so I thought I'd repost it for the benefit of anyone dropping by. The track is available for streaming or download more or less everywhere.
The Stars Shine Down - January 2023
As if the recent passing of Jeff Beck wasn't enough, this week we lost David Crosby. Much has been written about Beck and while I agree he was was one of the greatest guitarists of his generation, there seems little point in adding to the superlatives. If you want to check him out, maybe take a look at his performance at Ronnie Scott's Club in London's Soho - it's up on Youtube in its entirety. As for Croz, I'd seen him at Wembley with Stills, Nash and Young in 1974 and with Nash in 2012, but count myself lucky to have seen the Crosby Still & Nash concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2013. For their second set that night they played the first album from 1969 from beginning to end. It was a magical evening, sadly now never to be repeated. As for Croz, well he was 81 and probably lucky to live so long after the excesses of the 1960's and 70's, but for those who saw him and remember the great music from the Byrds, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and his long and fruitful collaboration with Graham Nash, it's a sad loss. But the music will live on and is there for younger ears to discover. RIP Jeff and David. (Picture of David Crosby by Christopher Michel - CC Creative Commons Attribution Generic Licence)