GREAT MELODY, GREAT LYRIC, GREAT RENDITION

[Mark Blackburn]

Bobby Darin -- Standing on the Corner, Watching All the Girls

It's quarter to two, there's no one in the place except me and you and Siriusly Sinatra is playing my favorite version of Frank (Guys & Dolls) Loesser's best song from a 1956 Broadway show, “Most Happy Fella” – STANDING ON THE CORNER, WATCHING ALL THE GIRLS GO BY. In the show the song is sung in four-part harmony and that's the approach that was a hit for The Four Lads, the summer of 1956. I was nine, and I remember my Dad really enjoying the strong melody and memorable (funny) words.

The song has a Wiki entry but doesn't list Bobby Darin among the “other recordings.” Once a year Sirius plays it – just for me! Jersey Lou, thank you!  I think I've celebrated this one before, but each time I hear it, another line makes me laugh. I'm old enough to remember when a 'Coke' cost a nickle, the summer of '56. Soon it would cost 7 cents; then, in the early 60's, 'one thin dime.' As he always did, Bobby changed the lyric just a little to make the song all his own:

Saturday … and I'm so broke
Couldn't buy a girl … a five cent coke
Still I'm livin' like … a millionaire
When I take me down to Main Street
And I review the harem
Paradin' for me there!

Love Bobby's decision to cut, to abrupt silence, the final “watchin' all the girls.” Never heard a song end that way. Used to think it was an error. But there it is tonight – on the “re-mastered 1995” version at YouTube with 308 views and 1 'comment' -- this one by my namesake "4 years ago."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLQgAyCx4Y

Edited November 13, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

DIANA KRALL – Let's Fall in Love

 

Made the mistake of checking 'one last time' before returning to sleep – you know, just to see “what's playing now” on Siriusly Sinatra: Diana Krall with gorgeous solo guitar accompaniment from Russell Malone to open my “other favorite version” of LET'S FALL IN LOVE.

 

From perhaps my favorite of her albums, 'When I Look In Your Eyes' (1999). The one with the arresting nighttime photo of Diana, outdoors, wearing an expensive gown, and looking skyward with evident joy in her heart.

 

This one. Just checked the personnel listing to be reminded that one of my lifelong heroes – percussionist Larry Bunker – played vibes on this track. (Note below.) “Comments are turned off” so we won't “learn more” will we?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muOpokalL0s&t=3s

 

 

Wikipedia

 

Lawrence Benjamin Bunker (November 4, 1928 – March 8, 2005) was an American jazz drummer, vibraphonist, and percussionist. A member of the Bill Evans Trio in the mid-1960s, he also played timpani with the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra.

Born in Long Beach, California, Bunker was a central figure on the West Coast jazz scene, one of the relatively few who actually were from the region. 

A dependable and in-demand studio drummer and vibist, Bunker achieved particular distinction by recording with Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Diana Krall, and many other jazz greats.

In 1952, he was the drummer in one of Art Pepper's first groups. In 1953 and 1954, Bunker played drums in some of the earliest of Gerry Mulligan's groups. From 1963 to 1965, he was, intermittently, the drummer in the Bill Evans trio.

His work in movie soundtracks spanned over fifty years, from Stalag 17 (1953) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) to The Incredibles (2004), and included soundtracks by John Williams, Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Miklós Rózsa, Jerry Goldsmith, Johnny Mandel, Lalo Schifrin and many other composers.

Bunker died of complications of a stroke in Los Angeles at age 76.[1]

 

 

[Mark Blackburn]

OSCAR PETERSON – Little Girl Blue

 

On the previous page (43) we enjoyed a Q&A analysis of 'the best and the worst' about Canada's guitar genius Lenny Breau – by Tommy Emmanuel: judged the greatest showman in guitar history. The key to such success Tommy maintains, is to “keep surprising your audience.”

 

Citing Canada's Oscar Peterson, Mr. Emmanuel says that, "like Lenny, Oscar didn't have much to say on stage." But the difference? Oscar was “totally entertaining.” (Something true of Tommy too!) “He just went out there, bowed to the audience, sat down, played the piano and blew you away!”

 

----

 

Late in life Oscar Peterson was asked about his personal favorite albums (he recorded some 200). He cited the mostly solo recordings made for “a few invited guests” in the living room of a German recording engineer – who owned Bosendorfer's largest grand piano. From that moment on, it became Oscar's instrument of choice at all concerts in the latter half of his career. The piano he played at Winnipeg's 2,000 seat concert hall in the early 80s – alone together with guitar giant Joe Pass. To this day, my wife agrees: “The best concert we ever saw.”

 

Just as an aside, Sinatra obtained a “Bosie” of his own, after Oscar told him, “It really is the best, Frank.”

 

---

 

“If I could keep just one track,” said my song writing compatriot Gene (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) Lees, “and had to discard all the others” (on this perfectly recorded solo album) “it would be Little Girl Blue.”  Six minutes of perfection, you may agree.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoFc_YfU6Lk

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

HARRY NILSSON  --  Thanks for the Memory

During a 1968 press conference, the Beatles were asked what their favorite American group was and answered "Nilsson". Sometimes called "the American Beatle", Harry soon formed close friendships with John and Ringo.

Playing right now on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio,  Bob Hope's signature song – my favorite version by Harry Nilsson. From a mid-70's album he recorded with London symphony / philharmonic musicians arranged by the great Gordon Jenkins.

 

Harry recapitulated the lyrics in ways that were pure Nilsson:

 

"Thanks for the memories, of rainy afternoons and pilsner by the case and how I jumped, the day you trumped my burnt toast with your prunes . . . "

 

 

 

[Mark Blackburn]

WALTER RODRIGUES JR -- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 

Too early for a Christmas favorite? Say it isn't so. I see my namesake appreciated this favorite solo guitar rendition "10 months ago" with a comment:

"What a lovely sounding instrument. Thanks for another gorgeous arrangement, Walter! And thanks for including info on the guitar. Which features four woods: Spruce top, Rosewood back & sides, mahogany neck, and Ebony fingerboard. But it takes Walter Rodrigues to bring out the best in this, his favorite model, the 'CORDOBA GK Pro Negra Cutaway Flamenco, All Solid Woods, Acoustic-Electric Nylon String Guitar, Luthier Series'."

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

FRANK & 'TOM' -- all-time favorite 'live' TV performance

 

My all-time favorite musical video from the early days of color TV: "Frank Sinatra & A.C. Jobim" – Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars, in medley with Irving Berlin's Change Partners and Dance, and Cole Porter's I Concentrate On You, and Jobim's most famous song Girl From Ipanema – the last sung in Brazilian Portuguese. Six minutes of TV perfection from 1967. Timeless beauty, you may agree.

That first song “Quiet Nights” was one of five Jobim tunes for which my compatriot Gene Lees wrote the English lyrics.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mj1M4ejEGg

[Mark Blackburn]

DOYLE DYKES  -- God Bless America

Three and one half minutes of perfection (at the 4:14 mark). In addition to which . . . the best-sounding steel-string acoustic 'live' performance that I have ever heard! I think this is Doyle's third "Olson" (James Taylor's weapon-of-choice) but Mr. Dykes may have had to "sell a couple of guitars" to obtain this brand new 'cutaway' version: his new favorite guitar.

Reminded of the fact that when Doyle visited Winnipeg Canada for the first time in November 2018, he was scheduled to play at a music store for 90 minutes; it turned into a three hour performance. He must have made a mistake, but I didn't hear it. Think about that: what sort of virtuoso musician can perform before live audiences without making a single mistake? Latest 'case in point' -- this best-ever finger-style guitar rendition of Irving Berlin's God Bless America.

 

 

Edited November 14, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

JOHN & BUCKY PIZZARELLI -- Tangerine

 

Shared at John Pizzarelli's Facebook page this day 

 https://www.facebook.com/JohnPizzarelliOfficial/videos/852226710241124

Hard to single out a favorite in a show chock full of highlights but . . . At around the 15:35 mark John honored a request from “Jim McGrath for 'any one of those Bucky Pizzarelli solos.' So I chose Tangerine.” The “other great song” composed by film director Vic Schertzinger for the movie “The Fleet's In.” Vic asked his good friend Johnny Mercer to write the words for Tangerine – and one other tune – which turned out to be Mercer's personal favorite of all of his own lyrics – I REMEMBER YOU. Schertzinger lived just long enough to hear what Johnny had written; He died days later at age 53, before his movie was released in theaters.

Tangerine was the immediate and big hit; I Remember You, had to wait more than a decade, for Nat Cole to give us the 'definitive' ballad version. Just had to say: Somewhere in this world there may be another jazz guitarist who could take Bucky's brilliant and beautiful arrangement of Tangerine, and bring it to life in the middle of a 'live stream' one hour show. But . . . I doubt it. The even-greater-son of a great father just gave me goosebumps 'channeling' Bucky as only he could.

 

P.S. Thanks for this share Sasatop. 

 

Edited November 18, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

NAT & FRED & DIANA – Pick Yourself Up

 

Okay, you get three-for-the-price-of-one "Today Only": Nat Cole, Fred Astaire and Diana Krall – and all my favorite versions of PICK YOURSELF UP: Best live performance by Diana;  best-ever studio recording by Nat King Cole (played just a moment ago on Siriusly Sinatra) and of course, the charming original – thanks to a feature on Turner Classic Movies. Whatever did we do 'before TCM'?

 

Last things first:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGUsRGuZb6k

 

Okay, my "new favorite best-ever" studio rendition:  "Nat Cole with George Shearing”  ( "comments turned off" so we won't "learn more" will we?)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ViFpURIDk&t=7s

 

Best 'live' performance – a three minute 'run through' with Diana joking at the start with her truly great guitarist Anthony Wilson.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p_JxDGVqXg

 

[Mark Blackburn]

“Happy Thanksgiving!,” says Doyle Dykes after playing one of his favorite Thanksgiving songs, JINGLE BELLS. “If you don't believe me, go to Wikipedia – look it up!”

 

Sure enough, according to Wiki ….

 

"Jingle Bells" is one of the best-known[1] and most commonly sung[2] American songs in the world. It was written in 1850 by James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) at Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts. It was published under the title "The One Horse Open Sleigh" in September 1857. It has been claimed that it was originally written to be sung by a Sunday school choir for Thanksgiving, or as a drinking song.[3] Although it has no original connection to Christmas,[4] it became associated with winter and Christmas music in the 1860s and 1870s, and it was featured in a variety of parlor song and college anthologies in the 1880s.[5] It was first recorded in 1889 on an Edison cylinder; this recording, believed to be the first Christmas record, is lost, but an 1898 recording also from Edison Records survives.

[Mark Blackburn]

SINATRA & RIDDLE – Time After Time

 

At this moment Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing my favorite version of my favorite song by Jule Styne  -- mentioned back on page one:  "Without the rendition, there is no song."  

 

Approaching song's end, (modulating up into B-sharp) the closing orchestral flourish includes the first five notes of 'The Sound of Music' – four years before my favorite composer Richard Rodgers would incorporate those same notes for “The hills are alive ...”

Do you hear it? Richard Rodgers surely did! Yes, one of my favorite orchestrations by Nelson Riddle – who once said  “I would trade all my arrangements to have written just one of Henry Mancini's” (hits). 'Admiral Nelson' as Sinatra dubbed him, had to settle for being most everyone's favorite arranger.

I see my namesake wrote a more comprensive review at YouTube "4 years ago."

 

The song's Wikipedia note, lists three of my favorites, from the year of my birth:

 

“Time After Time – Music & Lyrics by Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne. Performed by Kathryn Grayson in 'It Happened in Brooklyn' (1947).”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcZBxxQxWBk&t=3s

 

Edited November 20, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

ELEANOR POWELL & FRED ASTAIRE

In the original THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT (1st of 3 DVDs) Sinatra introduces this segment as only he could: "You can wait around forever but you'll never see the likes of this again." The simple truth, in so few words. Once a year I look for this TCM clip thinking, Will it still give me goosebumps? Every time! P.S. Eleanor Powell would have been 111 today (11/21/2023)

 

[Mark Blackburn]

RICHARD SMITH -- Bye Bye Blackbird

All fingerstyle guitar greats -- Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Lenny Breau, Doyle Dykes, Tommy Emmanuel   --  each of them eventually obtained what they agreed was "The world's finest nylon-string electric guitar"  crafted by "Kirk Sand of Laguna Beach California."  What do they sound like? At their best, in the hands of a master like English-born Nashville resident RICHARD SMITH, they sound like this.  Don't you love virtuosos who perform 'live' without making mistakes? None better than Richard Smith, you may agree.

Around 16:30 Richard plays "Walkin' the Strings" -- best rendition since Chet's (an improvement on Merle's according to Travis). Left a footnote (below) for Deuce: I'm 76 and remember buying all Chet's latest ('1956 - 1958') recordings and hearing all these techniques which Chet invented. Like Ray Charles, he had no influences. Completely original and as all the greats will tell you, he was alone in that regard. All that technique and the best tone EVER on his signature Gretsch Country Gentleman. Played through a Fender amp. No one has replicated (perfectly) that tone. Think about that. P.S. My new favorite solo guitar rendition of the Gershwins' EMBRACEABLE YOU at 22:47 mark. Richard Smith is a jazz artist too!

Edited November 21, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

IN THE COOL, COOL, COOL OF THE EVENING

 

My musical father's favorite singer was Margaret Whiting. He loved the sound of her voice – and her 'delivery' on all my Mom & Dad's favorite songs.  Google to be reminded that Margaret did a late-in-life, 'live' performance of Hoagy Carmichael's best collaboration with Johnny Mercer – IN THE COOL, COOL, COOL OF THE EVENING (a “Best Original Song” Academy Award winner).

With my favorite line that John delivered so well (around the 24:14 mark) on his latest '5 o'clock Somewhere' live stream show.

 

“If I ain't in the clink, and there's somethin' to drink, you can tell 'em – I'll be there!”

 

Imagine my delight to find Ms Whiting performing this gem with “The John Pizzarelli Trio” – from John's album with his brother Martin on bass, and pianist Ray Kennedy, for “Too Marvelous for Words: Songs of Johnny Mercer” (1997).

 

Love it when Margaret reaches the line about “your brother jackass” and turns and wags a finger at John's bass player.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVJLFxTs1ZA

At the 24:14 mark

https://www.facebook.com/JohnPizzarelliOfficial/videos/3730028460550286

https://www.facebook.com/JohnPizzarelliOfficial

 

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

It's quarter to three and there's no one in the place except you and me, and Siriusly Sinatra is playing heavenly Christmas music – “Matt Catingub: Away in a Manger / Hark the Herald Angels Sing” – with a choir of (talented) friends performing a capella.

 

Is it at YouTube? But of course. With a mysterious album cover that raises more questions than answers. Must research “Matt Catingub” but for now .... back to bed.

 

Oh no, followed by Marilyn Monroe – singing “Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.” Best-ever version. Sleep can wait a little longer.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htLV8UhXZEU&list=OLAK5uy_l1CP4ADlgfDTpwTI8dPLALLWxDelISuP0&index=15

 

"Musician MATT CATINGUB wears many hats: saxophonist, woodwind artist, conductor, pianist, vocalist, performer, composer, and arranger. Born in 1961 to parents of Polynesian descent, he was the youngest son of the late great jazz vocalist Mavis Rivers."

Edited November 24, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

WALTER RODRIGUES JR – Jingle Bells

My favorite living finger-style guitarist is 'Brazilian-born' American Walter Rodrigues Jr. Who for the past half-dozen Christmases, has treated us to a refreshingly new and different take on a seasonal classic, via YouTube. Last year Walter outdid himself with an I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS that, in his words, “had me going overboard with 26 tracks and several hours of video programming.”

This year? “Jingle Bells” – a seemingly simple, two chorus (under-two-minute) solo …. but what an arrangement: with most every note a chord – and in sequences of such breathtaking beauty. And Walter always achieves a 'texture and tone' that sounds perfect to our ears! Here he's playing a favorite weapon-of-choice – a special nylon-string instrument by 'Godin' of Quebec Canada; with computerized electronic 'assists' that make his bass string an octave lower. Of course like other virtuoso musicians Walter makes it all look easy! Really, isn't this just the best solo 'Jingle Bells' you've ever heard?

 

Below the video, a kindred spirit “TEX” has provided an update of links to Walter's previous Christmas videos: Dec-2022: Jingle Bells - Fingerstyle - https://youtu.be/ZxX33lYLMnU Dec-2021: I'll Be Home For Christmas - https://youtu.be/1F29TxRgb5s Dec-2020: O Christmas Tree - https://youtu.be/0fN-Y6p4e5c Dec-2019: Angels We Have Heard On High - https://youtu.be/jXWM19mR5wU Dec-2018: Silent Night - https://youtu.be/nD63hz8A9S0 Dec-2015: Winter Wonderland - https://youtu.be/uSTKmx1trKM

[Mark Blackburn]

QUEEN LATIFAH – Trav'lin' Light

 

It's "7:11 AM" (still dark outside here in the frozen North) and Siriusly Sinatra is playing my favorite version of Johnny Mercer's TRAV'LIN' LIGHT – Queen Latifah's beautifully orchestrated recording from 16 years ago.

 

A more obscure Mercer song beloved by jazz artists – like Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day and Chet Baker -- with a simple but effective refrain about 'lost love'

 

" …. no one but me, and my memories ….

Some lucky night, he may come back to me,

but until then, I'm trav'lin' light."

 

Whenever I think of this song I think of Queen Latifah. Sirius radio plays her version (just for me) about once a year.  Thanks to channel 70's programmer extraordinaire 'Jersey Lou' Simon.

 

Title track from her "sixth album in 2007" with a large Wiki entry reminding us that Diana Krall's favorite bass player John Clayton arranged this one.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQM-mzOF-OE

 

Wikipedia

 

Trav'lin' Light is the sixth studio album by American actress and hip-hop artist Queen Latifah. It was released through Verve Records on September 25, 2007.

 

William Ruhlman of AllMusic: “In song after song, she has come up with a character to portray through the lyrics, and that helps make her interpretations convincing. Sometimes, it is the songwriters themselves she seems to be channeling...however, it is the singer herself who deserves the credit for making the album work. As with her acting, Queen Latifah's singing is most laudable for not trying to do too much; she may evoke James or Nina Simone or Holiday (or Smokey Robinson or the Pointer Sisters), but she never tries to outsing them; rather, her versions are glosses on the greats she and her producers so admire."

 

 

Edited November 25, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

SINATRA - Wave

Still my favorite song from Antonio Carlos Jobim -- the Cole Porter of Brazil, as I like to say. You have to love a nation that names its international airport in Rio after its greatest composer. This is one song for which Jobim composed the words as well as the tune. And what a way to open a song:

 

"So close your eyes, for that's a lovely way to be, aware of things your heart alone was meant to see, the fundamental loneliness goes, whenever two can dream-a-dream together..."

 

On this, the definitive version, arranged by Brazil's Eumir Deodato, the 'The Voice' hits his lowest note ever (an E-flat). Most viewed version at YouTube -- this one. Thanks, Lee MacRealt for sharing.  Deservedly as of this date (11/26/2023) with  1,075,115 views 

 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

 

BEST INSTRUMENTAL VERSION? OSCAR'S

 

Sent my way by YouTube moments after posting the above.  I responded: "It doesn't mention (above) that this was arranged by Claus Ogerman -- who arranged Sinatra's first (1967) album with A.C. Jobim. Frank's retire-the-trophy vocal version was arranged two years later by Brazil's Eumir Deodato. Still arranging down in Rio as of this date (11/26/2023).

Looking now at the liner notes for my copy of this great album: "Produced by Claus Ogerman and a German Willy Fruth. The piano was recorded at MPS Studio in Villingen by Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer" and the orchestra was recorded "1969 at A&R Studio New York City. " But you knew that. Thanks for sharing Oscar Peterson.  P.S. That's Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar.

 

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

DIANA KRALL – What Are You Doing New Year's Eve

 

Right this minute the 'Siriusly Sinatra' satellite radio computer screen scroll reads:

 

“Ch. 70 – Best of Nancy for Frank 11/29/2009”

 

At the moment they're playing maybe my favorite version of Frank Loesser's other great 'seasonal' song – WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR'S EVE. Composed, words & tune, a few years after Loesser picked up his only 'Best Original Song' Academy Award for BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.

 

Google to be reminded this one was track 10 on an album that included (in addition to all the most beloved 'secular' Christmas songs) some unusual picks by Diana: like her album closer: Irving Berlin's “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” (Wiki note below).

I'm a sucker for solo guitar accompaniment, especially on a song's opening verse. None better than this, you may agree.

The Wikipedia “personnel” entry doesn't specify whether it's Russell Malone or Anthony Wilson on this, “track 10” (the only error I spotted in the Wiki entry for Diana's “Christmas Songs”).

An official version that was finally posted to YouTube “5 years ago” to 50K 'views' – “Comments turned off” so we won't “learn more” will we?

"Reissued on vinyl" says our resident 'group expert' "Bob in Boston."   

Two new color vinyl reissues with original cover art:

https://www.facebook.com/100044338.../posts/945186746969258/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac-S0dJy_eA

 

 

Wikipedia

Christmas Songs is the eighth studio album by Canadian singer Diana Krall, performed with The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. It was released on October 26, 2005, by Verve Records. This is Krall's first full-length album of Christmas songs (not counting her 1998 EP Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas), and her first studio album with a big band. The album was released on vinyl for the first time on October 14, 2016.

 

Critical Reception

John Bungey of The Times noted, "If your idea of a perfect Yuletide is Jimmy Stewart on the telly and Bing on the radio, and you believe that, musically, it's all been downhill since 1955, then Krall's album will suit perfectly".[7]

Dave Gelly and Nail Spenser of The Observer wrote, "This one proves she hasn't forgotten how to swing …. it is a terrific jazz-vocal album that will raise your spirits now and for several Christmases to come".[8]

Edited November 27, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

WALTER RODRIGUES JR. – America The Beautiful

 

In the space of just 70 seconds my favorite living Brazilian-born American guitarist Walter Rodrigues Jr., plays the loveliest – simple yet brilliant – arrangement of America's “other national anthem” (the one preferred by musicians).

 

The trick of course is to do what Walter always does:  make it look easy!  Or 'artless' like a lyric by Mercer, or a song sung by Sinatra. You listen and think, “With practice, I think I could do that.” Oh no you can't!

 

Thanks for sharing this Walter on a day (11/27/2023) when some of us needed to hear 'a patriotic song well played.'

 

I love it that some of your older videos now have up to 2 million “views” which is to say, you sir, are no longer “the best fingerstyle guitarist the world hasn't heard-of.”

 

Celebrated elsewhere, search “ Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central ”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q-DKquPqSM

https://www.facebook.com/mark.blackburn.3910/

Update: Walter's incomparable rendition of FLY ME TO THE MOON is nearing 6 million views -- gaining one million a year.  Guess we can no longer think of Walter Rodrigues Jr as "the greatest fingerstyle guitarist the world doesn't yet know about." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U5VdSQwkl4

Edited November 28, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

VINCE GUARALDI TRIO & KIDS CHORUS -- Christmas Time is Here

 

Most viewed (3.6 M) version of my favorite jazz piano trio recording of CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE.  Went there to post a 'review' -- but see my namesake already wrote one "4 years ago":

----
 

'Christmas Time Is Here' summons up special memories for post WWII "baby boomers" like me. Thanks Bob Barry for posting this delightful video version.

I'm old enough to remember the first Charlie Brown Christmas special (aired on CBS) in December of '65. We watched it on small-screen black & white TV (color programming arrived in Canada the next year). I was 18, a budding jazz fan, and was crazy about the pianist Vince Guaraldi's song. It would never have happened if the lyricist, a television producer named Lee Mendelson hadn't been crossing the Golden Gate Bridge one day in a cab, listening to Guaraldi's CAST YOUR FATE TO THE WIND and deciding to track down the pianist to see if he wanted in on the Charlie Brown Christmas special.

"Songfacts" notes that,

"Originally, this was an instrumental piece that Vince Guaraldi wrote to open A Charlie Brown Christmas. About a month before it aired, Lee Mendelson, who produced the special, decided it might work better with some words, so he wrote the lyric in about 10 minutes sitting at his kitchen table. "It was a poem that just came to me," he told PRI in 2014. "Never changed the words to this day. It was only about a minute long."

And the choir of kids?

"A Charlie Brown Christmas used real children (mostly culled from producer Lee Mendelson's neighborhood) to voice the characters in the special, so the voices on this song are also kids. They are not the same group of children though - "Christmas Time Is Here" is sung by a group of kids Vince Guaraldi put together."

Vince Guaraldi died in 1976 age 47 of a heart attack. His lyricist Lee Mendelson died on Christmas Day 2019, age 85.  

Favorite comment below video from: DR. SCOTT CASE (1 year ago):

"Born in 1955 I'm all alone now as all my immediate family and unfortunately most of my friends have passed away. However at the moment I hear those children sing I am instantly transported back to around 1966 or 1967 when all my family and friends were alive and we were children growing up. It is as if my voice is among those of the children singing and it captures a moment in time that provides me happiness. Peace."

 

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

DIANA KRALL / HANK JONES -- Dream a Little Dream of Me

 

Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio just played "Dream a Little Dream of Me" – Diana accompanied by the great Hank Jones in 2009 -- a year before the virtuoso pianist died in New York City age 91. Friends say Mr. Jones played this beautifully right up until his last days!

I love that Canada's “other greatest gift to jazz” asked to record this one 'alone together' with one of the truly great piano accompanists:  Hearing this for only the second time today on channel 70 satellite radio – and loving the piano solo on the musical bridge -- I thought, 'That's NOT Diana! I KNOW that unique style on keyboard!'  40 years ago in Bermuda, where I spent the 70s, I saw Hank in concert, accompanying Canada's vibraphone virtuoso Peter Appleyard (who left us at age 85 in 2013). Yes, no one else sounded like Hank Jones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_vsHWkY_pk

Born “Henry Jones” on July 31, 1918 in Vicksburg Mississippi, Hank was revered as a jazz composer and brilliant accompanist working with the greats including Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson and – finally – at her request, Diana Krall on this song. [In an online bio we learn]

“That year (2009) Diana Krall also sang "Dream a Little Dream of Me" with piano accompaniment by pianist Hank Jones. Her album 'Quiet Nights' was released on March 31, 2009. Krall produced Barbra Streisand's album 'Love Is the Answer' released on September 29, 2009.”

Edited November 29, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

SINATRA – A Hundred Years From Today

 

Yesterday ('First Fridays' on Siriusly Sinatra – when every song is sung by Sinatra) I enjoyed a late-in-life recording titled A HUNDRED YEARS FROM TODAY. 

My favorite singer made it to age 83 but was just 18 when he first heard, and fell in love with this one -- composed by future good friends Ned ('When You Wish Upon a Star') Washington and Victor ('When I Fall in Love') Young. I see that I celebrated this one (2 years ago) with a 'reflection' by a friend of a friend.  (More poignant for me on a day when my wife of 50 years was moved from hospital care to a 'geriatric facility.')  

 

 

Each time I hear Frank sing this one I'm reminded of something an American friend shared with me: Asked to write words of introduction to an inspirational book about another mutual friend's daughter who died at age 20 of cancer, Michael Josephson composed these thoughts concerning 'What will matter' after we have taken our last breath. 

-----

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, minutes, hours or days.

All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned, or what you were owed.

Your judgments, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from or which side of the tracks you lived on at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success but your significance . . . not what you learned but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence but your character. Not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNVcmNNR7Vw

 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

CALABRIA FOTI – Do It Again

 

It's quarter to 3, there's no one in the place, except you and me – and Siriusly (just for me?) is playing my favorite living singer CALABRIA FOTI – title track from my favorite of her albums “Lovely Way to Spend an Evening.”

Is it at YouTube? Alas never.

Google to find that, to my delight, from that same album: the sexiest song Gershwin ever wrote, DO IT AGAIN.

 

“Oh! Please, do it again …. and again, and again, and again ….”

 

I see my namesame gave this one a more comprehensive 'review' (“2 years ago”). Note: 20 seconds of silence before the music starts.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRJAhTRP3c

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRJAhTRP3c

Wikipedia

Gershwin recounted the origin of the song in 1934:   

I was in the office of Max Dreyfus, my publisher, one day when Buddy DeSylva walked in. DeSylva said jokingly to me, "George, let's write a hit!" I matched him by saying, "O.K.!" I sat down at the piano, and began playing a theme which I was composing on the spot... Buddy listened for a few minutes and then began chanting this title—"Oh, Do It Again!," which he had just fitted to my theme.[1]

 

 

Edited December 4, 2023 by Mark Blackburn