Kenny Rankin - RIP

On a sad note, folk-jazz performer Kenny Rankin passed away. Robert Christgau has credited him with inventing that genre, but I think he meant it pejoratively. Christgau's loss. Despite the disdain that so-called hipsters like Rolling Stone's critics evinced toward Rankin, he was an accomplished writer and astute interpreter. Often, he evoked a mood that I can only describe as akin to spending a weekend in New England in Autumn, and I mean that as a high compliment. Take a moment to read about Rankin and then take a moment to search out some of his recordings. Here he is doing Stevie Wonder's Creepin'