Gypsy Jazz Legend: Django Reinhardt


Django Reinhardt remains one of the world’s most celebrated and respected gypsy jazz
guitarists.  Born in Belgium in 1910, he grew up in a gypsy encampment just outside of Paris.  It was here that he discovered his talent for music at an early age.

His life and career were almost cut short when a tragic fire ripped through his family’s caravan leaving the aspiring musician with two partially paralyzed fingers.  He
would overcome this disability and develop a new style of playing that would become his signature sound.  

In 1934, Reinhardt formed the first all-string jazz band known as the Quintette du Hot Club de France alongside French violinist, Stephane Grappelli.  Many of these classic tracks are featured on the Classic Roots Jazz collection currently available from our sister label, DMusic Records.  Be sure to head here to check them out.

Today, many of Reinhardt’s compositions are widely considered to be jazz standards.

Christian Burke
April 2010
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Dinah Shore Weekend 2010

The  Dinah Shore weekend in Palm Springs, California was once a weekend of golfing and of course music but as more and more people have attended each year the festivities surrounding the event have gotten bigger and bigger.  The Dinah 2010 weekend was the biggest one yet having evolved into one of the biggest events for women in the world.  VIP treatment and endless entertainment including film screenings, comedians and performances by some of the biggest female stars including Salt 'n Pepa, Ke$sha, God-Des and She and Vicki Shaw.   Everyone is invited to enjoy the slew of events or relax and enjoy all of the wonderful sunshine of southern California.
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A Brief Introduction to Rockabilly


Rockabilly music emerged during the early 1950s as a new breed of rock and roll that incorporated country flair and the blues.  The genre developed mostly in Memphis, Tennessee with Sun Records playing host to many artists who would become stars later in their careers.  Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins would all record at Sun and contribute to rockabilly’s initial popularity.
Many of these early recordings shared similar sonic characteristics.  The vocals and guitar featured slap-back echo and reverb effects, the lyrics and melodies were much looser and the beat was sped up and received much more emphasis.  This particular sound would take dance clubs by storm.
By 1955, the genre was receiving media attention and topping the Billboard music charts.  It would remain this way until the 1960s when the musical landscape changed once again.  Rockabilly would not see a resurgence in popularity until the 1980s with the help of bands like the Stray Cats.  
Today, rockabilly is often considered an American roots music and its influence can still be felt in many of today’s popular acts.  It has also earned itself a cult following of fans that continue to bring new life to the genre by including new influences and themes. 
To experience rockabilly for yourself, be sure to check out the Historic Rockabilly Classics collections available here at Lost Gold Records.  We currently have three albums of rare and unreleased material that would serve as the perfect introduction to the genre.

Christian Burke
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Hank Williams Awarded Pulitzer Prize


Country music icon, Hank Williams, was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize this past week.  He received the special honor for his collection of songs that continue to connect with musicians and fans since his early passing in 1953 at the age of 29.  Williams’ contributions to country music have put him in the company of other great composers recognized by the Pulitzer board, such as John Coltrane and Bob Dylan.

Hank Williams’ biggest hits include “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”  In 2004, Rolling Stone included him in a list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Christian Burke
April 2010
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The Last Concert of Patsy Cline


Country music icon, Patsy Cline, will be featured in an upcoming production that will showcase her final concert and her unfortunate passing only days after.  Premiering this fall at the Showplace Peterborough in Canada, director and producer Tim Rowat will tell the story through the eyes of one of Cline’s closest friends, Loretta Lynn

This world premiere event is sure to honor the great legacy of Patsy Cline who has received multiple awards since her tragic plane accident in 1963.  She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 and was voted by fans to be the greatest woman in country music by Country Music Television.  Her music continues to influence many generations of singers.   

To hear where Patsy Cline’s career began, be sure to pick up The Birth of a Star available now on Lost Gold Records.  It features tracks recorded during the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout Performances, where Godfrey helped Cline become a household name in the late 1950s.

Christian Burke
April 2010
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