All jokes aside, New Jersey is a pretty great place. While it has a lot to offer as a state, it also has a rich musical history of which many people remain unaware. Everyone knows Sinatra and The Boss, but there’s much more.
This week, we continue dusting off the compact disc collection and discovering what New Jersey gems have been hiding on the old A/V shelves. In doing so, we listen to the Hoppin’ Haole Brothers (featuring Uncle Floyd on piano, of course), Sewell’s somewhat forgotten The Parcels, the wonderful accordion slinger John Foti, the greatest cover band in New Jersey—if not America—The Nerds, Duncan Sheik, The Joe Deninzon Jazz Trio, the McCartneyesque Elephant Goes West, and, of course, Val Emmich.
A French copy of Albert Francis’ and Antonio Carlos’ 1967 gem and a Japanese pressing of Springsteen’s “Born to Run” also make an appearance, as does a brand new song by Avi Wisnia. So, tune in for a little of the old—and a bit of the new—as heard on a rapidly disappearing medium that holds its own bit of mystique and magic.
