GREAT MELODY, GREAT LYRIC, GREAT RENDITION

[Mark Blackburn]

All my life I've told my musical sister Andrea that she has the “most perfect singing voice I have ever heard.” Still true to this day (12/5/2023). She just emailed:

 

"I don't know if you would remember a lovely record we played at the cottage a lot, one summer. Can't remember the album cover or what other songs were on it, but one song has haunted me, all these many years – A LA NANITA NANA. I don't know what the words mean, or anything. I just remember the tune was so beautiful."

 

Permit an aside: As a student in her teens at Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music my older sister's 'coloratura' (highest soprano) voice brought her a record three victories in some competition previously won (twice each) by Robert ('If Ever I Would Leave You') Goulet, and by “Canada's gift to Opera” Teresa Stratas.

 

Andrea's musical knowledge is encyclopedic. But every now and then …. she will ask me “Do you remember the name of . . . ?” (someone or something musical, from 60 years ago).

A moment ago Andrea shared a video of a children's choir and I thought at once of the name. “Norman Luboff.”

Google to be reminded that Mr. Luboff became history's wealthiest choir director! (Wiki note below.)

 

The song Andrea shared was “A La Nanita Nana” asking “Does the tune ring a bell with you, and do you remember the record we played at the cottage?”

First offering at YouTube this day when you search for this song and include Norman Luboff's name. From a New Mexico choir competition, posted to 12,895 “views”

 

“Deming High School Women's Chorale performing at the New Mexico State Choir Competition …. on April 16, 2016. We are the bottom of the 6A class and this choir only received comments and were not part of the competition. Had they been, the score they received would have placed them 1st. They received a Superior Rating.”

Larry Martin - Conductor

Susan Allen - Accompanist

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yiSCY7AcEE

 

P.S. The actual musical video that my sister Andrea had shared of “A La Nanita Nana” was of a New Year's Eve performance (2015) by THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S CHOIR. I agree that “this choir, their arrangement, and the recording quality is just so beautiful.”

But with “comments turned off” I couldn't “learn more” apart from a one-line description: “45,475 views – December 31, 2015

The Texas Children's Choir performing at OLLU, San Antonio Texas”

 

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

 

 

Wikipedia

 

Norman Luboff (May 14, 1917 – September 22, 1987) was an American music arranger, music publisher, and choir director.

 

Luboff was the founder and conductor of the Norman Luboff Choir, one of the leading choral groups of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. They came to prominence through their participation in the very successful Christmas broadcasts with Bing Crosby which ran from 1955 to 1962.

History was made in 1956 when Luboff and his choir recorded with Harry Belafonte on "Calypso", the first album to sell one million copies. The choral group toured yearly from 1963 to 1987, and recorded more than 75 albums. The holiday albums Songs of Christmas (1956) and Christmas with the Norman Luboff Choir (1964) were perennial bestsellers for years. Luboff and his choir won the 1961 Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Chorus.

Luboff was also a guest conductor at many choirs in the United States and abroad.

Luboff died of lung cancer[3] at his home in Bynum, North Carolina, in 1987 at the age of 70. The Norman Luboff Collection was donated to the Music Division of the United States Library of Congress in 1993 by his widow.

 

Edited December 6, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

She died six years ago. But we know her name and we will remember you, LARI WHITE.  She was 31 when she flashed that beautiful smile at Tom Hanks. And 52 when she died, of a rare form of cancer. [IMDB says]

Actress: Lari White was born on May 13, 1965 in Dunedin, Florida, USA as Lari Michele White. She was an actress, known for Cast Away (2000), Big Eden (2000) and No Regrets (2004). She was married to Chuck Cannon. She died on January 23, 2018 in Nashville where she was a Country singer and record producer.

Forever young, in our hearts, as generations of film goers can always say of those who've left us.

Yes, her two-minute scene that is “my favorite ending” to any Tom Hanks movie. America's great lyricist Johnny Mercer's favorite of his musical children was I REMEMBER YOU. Thinking now of that song and of Lari White -- of its last words and how they must have applied in her mind to her precious on screen moment with Tom Hanks: "When the angels ask me to recall, the thrill of them all, then I will tell them – I remember you."

Maybe my favorite movie scene: the closing moments of one of several favorite films “produced and directed by Robert Zemeckis” – each and every one of which features haunting (Oscar-nominated) theme music from my favorite living composer Alan Silvestri.

The scenes preceding this one were all at night, in the darkness of suburban Memphis – in drenching rain as Tom Hanks' and Helen Hunt's characters embrace one last time before saying goodbye for good.

And suddenly we're in brilliant sunshine, a clean-shaven, suddenly younger looking Tom Hanks is driving down the straightest of highways in his black Jeep Cherokee through flatlands we in western Canada call “Big Sky Country” – where you just find it easier to breathe. (Love it that the word "Canada" is actually referenced in the final dialogue!)

"Jack" has just delivered the battered FED EX parcel, with its distinctive angel wings to its final destination – a deserted farmhouse (everywhere decorated with those same stylized angels' wings) and leaves it leaning up against a screen door, with the note: “This package saved my life. Thank you. – Chuck Noland.”

Back at the crossroads, as he looks at a map, we see an old (mid-fifties) Ford pickup truck approaching. It pulls up next to him; a beautiful young woman, dark red shoulder-length hair blowing in the breeze, climbs down – and graces him with a breathtaking smile and says . . .

SHE: You look lost!
HE: I do?
SHE: Where ya headed?
HE: [obviously taken aback by her beauty] Well, I was trying to figure that out.
SHE: [points] Well, that's 83-South. And this road HERE will hook you up with I-40 East [moving closer – they're now a “socially distant” 12 feet apart ]
SHE: And . . . if you turn RIGHT . . . that'll take you to Amarillo, Flagstaff and . . . California!
[Pointing back behind her, down her own road]
SHE: And if you head back in THAT direction . . . you'll find a whole lot of nuthin' – all the way to Canada.
[She hasn't relaxed her radiant smile for a moment, as if taking a liking to him, while they 'consider' each other in silence]
HE: [moving his head quickly in all directions] I got it!
SHE: Alright then! [climbing back into her dusty truck] Good luck, Cowboy!

She drives away slowly -- a female hound dog, sitting in the back with some equipment, stares back at him; he spots those same angel wings to the right of the FORD logo. He'd been leaning against his Jeep and suddenly stands up straight, in recognition of who she must be: The Wings Lady. He stares for a time, his silent expression conveying so much – as it's dawning on him that this intersection really is now the crossroads of his life. He moves to stand in the middle of the highway, looks in all four directions with a peaceful smile. Fade to black. '

 

 

 

[Mark Blackburn]

TONY BENNETT – O Christmas Tree

 

Quick, what's the oldest of all 'secular' Christmas songs? The one with a melody that's been dated back to the 16^th century (1550) and whose German lyric was translated into English 200 years ago (1824). You guessed it. O TANNENBAUM.

At this moment I'm enjoying my all-time favorite rendition by Tony Bennett – set to a beautiful slide show, sent my way by the intuitive genius that is YouTube.

I wrote in an Amazon review for Tony's “A Swingin' Christmas with the Count Basie Orchestra" (2008) that

 

For the 'closer' here, Tony turned to his regular quartet pianist and musical director Lee Musiker who provides a hauntingly beautiful, solo accompaniment for my new favorite version of an old carol, "O CHRISTMAS TREE." It's the gentlest of readings by Tony -- with majestic, sustained chords by Lee: kindred musical spirits, 'alone together,' gifting us with an `O TANNENBAUM' simultaneously new and fresh . . . even as it retains that reverential feel (such dignity & grace) to which a two-century-old, German carol is entitled!

 

The video presentation hits all the right notes including Charlie Brown's little tree.

 

I needed this tonight. It's like someone at YouTube realized how I'm feeling -- at a time when my wife of 50 years has been transferred from a hospital to a Geriatric Center care home. My Irene was assured today, by an optimistic nursing assistant, that “There's no reason you won't be able to make it home for a Christmas visit.”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21vKKk1yukU

 

[Mark Blackburn]

JAMES TAYLOR & NATALIE COLE – Baby, It's Cold Outside

 

It's 5:55 – still dark outside, and cold!  Just for me, the 'Siriusly Sinatra' computer scroll reads:

 

“James Taylor feat. Natalie Cole – Baby, It's Cold Outside”

 

I have umpteen favorite versions of this song --  composed words & tune by Frank Loesser (it won him the 'Best Song' Oscar that year, 1953). But this duet by two of my favorite people remains the star at the top of the tree.  Not least for the concluding seductive banter.

 

HE: Darlin' … as a friend …

SHE: Sure, James.

HE: As a friend – you MUST stay – warm up by this fire, and let me get you a hot toddy or something …

SHE: Well … I really can't. I mean my mother will really worry about me.

HE: People are so suspicious! It's just an innocent suggestion that you stay warm. Keep yourself healthy, that's all. It's nippy out there – it's cold!

SHE: Well … you know that drink does look kinda nice ….

HE: It IS a perfectly nice drink.

 

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

 

 

 

[Mark Blackburn]

TONY BENNETT  –  Oh! You Crazy Moon

 

"When they met, the way that they smiled, I saw that I was through.

Oh! You Crazy Moon, what did you do?"

 

Siriusly Sinatra just played my 'new favorite version' of Oh! You Crazy Moon – by Tony Bennett. Tony would be the first to tell us that Sinatra's orchestral version, with a classic Nelson Riddle arrangement for his “Moonlight Sinatra” album (1966) was in its way 'definitive.'

 

But Tony recorded his version – with the Ralph Sharon piano Trio – two years earlier; and in that more intimate 'club' setting, Sinatra would surely agree that Tony's was the best ever. Frank famously declared that “For my money Tony Bennett has the best singing voice.”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8u9KT6kLbo

 

Wikipedia

Oh, You Crazy Moon or Oh! You Crazy Moon is a traditional pop song by Jimmy Van Heusen, with lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was recorded by Tommy Dorsey in 1939, with at least six other recorded versions following Dorsey's in 1939. It was recorded by Mel Tormé in 1960 and Frank Sinatra in 1965.[1]

 

Mel Tormé - Swingin' on the Moon (1960)

• Stan Kenton - The Romantic Approach (1961)

• Sarah Vaughan - Snowbound (1963)

• Tony Bennett - When Lights Are Low (1964)

• Wes Montgomery - California Dreaming (1966), Willow Weep for Me (1969)

• Frank Sinatra - Moonlight Sinatra (1966)

• Peggy Lee - Extra Special! (1967)

• Chet Baker - Blue Room (The VARA Studio Sessions in Holland) (1979)

• Mel Tormé and George Shearing - An Elegant Evening (1985)

 

 

 

[Mark Blackburn]

DOYLE DYKES – Little Drummer Boy

 

My musical father (a composer and very good pianist) shared my early appreciation of Chet Atkins recordings – of 'standards' like Irving (God Bless America) Berlin's YOU'RE JUST IN LOVE – a song that required 'Mr. Guitar' to play two melodies simultaneously.

Just imagined my Dad appreciating this one: the best-ever solo guitar rendition of LITTLE DRUMMER BOY. A song my father actually hated for its repetitive 'ba-ruppa, bum-bum' lyric. But I'm certain he would have loved this instrumental by Doyle Dykes.

Not least for the arresting snare drum effect that Mr. Dykes elicits from this, one of his two favorite guitars – a 'Kirk Sand' nylon-stringed instrument – the “best ever made” according to all the finger-style giants who've owned them.

 

I see my namesake already reviewed this one “2 years ago” at YouTube.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de06TkAnr8g

 

CHET ATKINS – You're Just in Love

You have to understand, that in 1958 none of us budding guitarists had ever heard anything like Chet Atkins – the quality of sound, the dazzling technique(s).

Recorded (on single track 'monaural' sound) in Chet's elaborate basement studio in Nashville; his signature Gretsch 'Country Gentleman' played through a Fender amp.

Every single bit of his technique was uniquely his own creation. Like Ray Charles he had no influences: completely original.

 

I remember my musical father listening with me to YOU'RE JUST IN LOVE -- waiting to see how Chet would handle two melody lines at the same time. (“Is that two guitars?”)  Pick it up at the 1:44 mark.

Thanks OverJazz for sharing. Celebrated elsewhere this day (12/6/2023) search “ Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central “

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVSZvbrNseM&t=4s

 

 

Edited December 6, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

JENNIFER WARNES – O Little Town of Bethlehem

 

My father's favorite Christmas carol. It came to be mine too, with each passing Christmas. Best ever recording? This one. Dad agreed when I sent him a cassette tape with this version by “Jennifer Warnes and The London Symphony” (1991).

Dad who nearly made it to age 90, was about my age now. He thanked me on the phone and said:

 

"I find myself crying more these days. Do you find yourself suddenly crying?”

 

Meaning 'tears of joy' -- usually when “seeing little children” at their happiest! At our home, that meant Christmas Day.  You too?

----

Just went in search of a YouTube version and find I reviewed this twice, and included a letter I wrote exactly 20 years ago to my eldest son, back when his own two children were “still in the future.”

 

Dec 2, 2003

Dear David, Hope this finds you and Laura Lee in good health and excellent spirits. I tried to think of a special Christmas gift for you this year and this 'labor of love' was the best I could come up with!

It's impossible to create the perfect Christmas compilation for someone else. But I pray you find 'comfort and joy' in at least SOME of these. Let's talk at Christmas! Disc 1 Track one Jennifer Warnes and Bob Farnon's 'personal band' the London Symphony.

Jennifer, who won two Best Song Oscars and was nominated for a third, combines vulnerability and strength in her own unique way: a lovely version of my father's favorite Christmas Carol. And oh the joy of finding it at YouTube!

I told Dad on the phone one night that my favorite line was this one:

“Yet in thy dark street shineth, the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight.”

My father agreed, adding: “Do you find yourself suddenly crying? It's happening a lot these days.” Yes, Dad – listening now to this, my favorite version of O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM . . . tears of joy.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPKAb_yatk8

 

As for the best-ever rendition of GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN . . . Jennifer Warnes has just the right voice to convey such a range of emotions of comfort and joy. Listen to the festive change of pace in her vocal timbre after the solo violin musical bridge around 3:14. Each time she sings "comfort and joy" it sounds a little different. Her singing is deceptively simple -- artless (heck, I could sing that!) but to these 71-year-old ears her voice is uniquely beautiful. God bless us every one. 

 

 

Edited December 7, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

It's quarter to eight and still dark outside, here in the "world's coldest major city" (any Canadian can tell you where that is) and Siriusly Sinatra is playing Judy Garland's original recording of HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS with a graphic of the movie theater poster -- with prominent second-billing to "Margaret O'Brien" a then- six-year-old actress who is still with us for Christmas 2023. 

 

Just about my favorite moment in any of the great film musicals. Yours too?  Most viewed 1.6 million 'views' and a review by my namesake atop the 19 hundred "comments" [ ! ]

Favorite personal quote from Margaret O'Brien:

"I met Shirley Temple on Valentine's Day in 1945. To this day, I've never forgotten it. I was in red, she was in black, and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner together. We didn't immediately become best friends, but every winter my husband and I would send a Christmas card to Shirley and she and her family would send one back. So we kept in touch that way. It helped that we both had wonderful parents who saw that we stayed on the right path. My husband always had a crush on Shirley, but he ended up with me instead. Sometimes people put a stamp on the world, and Shirley certainly did."

Next month (January) Margaret O'Brien will be 87.  Best recent interview from 4 years ago:

Turner Classic Movies' "Bring TCM to Your Town" event brought actress Margaret O'Brien, and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz to the Tivoli Theater to screen Meet me In St. Louis with a hometown crowd. STL TV's Steve Potter sat down with them to talk about the movie and Margaret's acting career.

 

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

JOSCHO STEPHAN -- The Christmas Song

Totally endearing 'live' jazz treatment of maybe the best-loved, 'secular' Christmas Song ("Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire") by outstanding musicians -- the quartet of JOSCHO STEPHAN. Had Oscar Peterson played guitar, I'm thinking he'd sound a lot like Joscho -- playing Wes Montgomery's weapon-of-choice the Gibson L-5. Beginning around the 1:05 mark and again at 1:53 . I think the other guitarist is armed with a modern version of Django Reinhardt's favorite -- the MACCAFERRI (Gitane D-500?). Did I say this is my new favorite jazz rendition of THE CHRISTMAS SONG? Well it is.

P.S. Even the 'commercial' that follows immediately at song's end is interesting, right down to the last note -- Chet Atkins' fingerstyle hit recording of "Mr. Sandman."

 

 

[Mark Blackburn]

TONY BENNETT  --  Snowfall

The Tony Bennett Facebook page just asked this day (12/8/2023) "What's your absolute favorite track on SNOWFALL?"  Had to respond: "Hard to pick just one! (Did you know that half the tracks on this classic album were recorded in New York, the other half in London?) During his time in New York, Tony found accomodation for Canadian-born arranger Bob Farnon in a residence next to Tony's mother's home.

A personal note: My father had a life-long friendship with Mr. Farnon, who spent most of his life in London – in recording studios, conducting London Philharmonic / Symphony musicians (which is to say among the very best). Every great arranger acknowledged Bob's influence. Tony Bennett said “Canadians should raise a statue" in his honor. Sinatra dubbed him “The Guv'nor” and Andre Previn told Johnny Mercer that “Robert Farnon is the greatest string arranger in the world.”

Okay then, Tony's take on Claude Thornhill's SNOWFALL is extra special to me, for reasons I can't put into words.

 

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

 

"Two pianos, eight hands” (from a 160 year old French opera)

 

My sister Andrea (“best singing voice I ever heard”) just shared a video of something our Mom's musical parents had “played as a duet.” Sis didn't mention her own (spotlighted) 'comment' on this one “4 years ago” at YouTube; I'd not seen it before. Andrea wrote:

 

"My darling grandparents used to play this as a duet, for all their house guests, whenever they had parties in their home. It was fabulous! This is a very well-done rendition in this posting, and thank you so much for sharing it!

[I responded:]

Love it, not least 'cause we shared the same grand parents -- Arch & Alice Fortington. I remembered at once hearing them, sitting at Grandpa's Steinway and dueting on this. Haven't heard the melody in 60 years! Funny how our musical memories (as Dad said of his musical friends with Alzheimer's) "are the last things to leave us." Thanks again for sharing this one, Sis.”

 

[Minutes later from Andrea:]

 

"What was most remarkable about our Grandparents' duet version of this marvelous tune was that Grampa (who played the treble) could only read music, and Grannie (on the bass) couldn't read music but had an incredible 'by ear' gift and provided her own arrangement with generous flourishes and dramatic emphasis, all from her 'photographic memory' for hearing tunes once and being able to play them in their entirety afterward. Their performances for guests were always absolutely thrilling, and all without any mistakes."

 

[Mark Blackburn]

CALABRIA FOTI / JUDY GARLAND – Merry Christmas

 

If I didn't know better I'd say, 'What a coincidence!' After posting the above YouTube video of Judy Garland (her original movie version of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas') YouTube just sent my way a “Merry Christmas” song by Judy -- a new version of which I'd just been enjoying - shared by “my favorite living singer.”

Calabria Foti and her husband trombone great Bob McChesney just shared at YouTube the very same song! The show closer (track 15) on their “Together for Christmas” album.  Love the opening "Over The Rainbow" quote from Grammy-nominated pianist Christian Jacob.

My favorite question: Who wrote that song? Google to be reminded it was composed by the team of “Fred Spielman & Janice Torre” (who wrote some songs for Elvis, and had one 'Top 5' hit – Anita Bryant's 'Paper Roses'). Raise your hand if you remember any of this. You have to be 'of an age' I think …. or not? You be the judge. Judy and the original (1949) film version first and Calabria's latest rendition.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUEHM6NutKk&t=113s

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UbHHv0i73s

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

TONY BENNETT – All I Want for Christmas is You

 

At this moment Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing Tony Bennett's version (my favorite) of a Christmas song composed by Johnny Mandel and 'The Bergmans' – Alan and Marilyn.

Tony recorded “All I Want for Christmas is You” 20 years ago (2004) but had to wait another four years to include on his 'next seasonal album' -- “A Swingin' Christmas with the Count Basie Band.” Thus, the album's only track with a full stringed orchestra, arranged and conducted by Mandel himself.

 

Johnny wrote the melody first then asked his accomplished lyricist friends to come up with some perfect words with artful rhymes, like these:

 

Finding every sweet surprise, wrapped up in your eyes

Waiting there for me, underneath the tree

We'll spend the day exchanging kisses

Smile, and say 'What a Christmas THIS is!'

 

Belgium's “other greatest gift to jazz” after Django – harmonica giant Toots Thielemans – plays an exquisite solo on the musical bridge.

 

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

 

That's Monty Alexander presenting the perfect turkey, a la Norman Rockwell's classic FREEDOM FROM WANT painting. But you knew that. 

A link to Monty's Sinatra tribute ('Come Fly With Me') at Lincoln Center.    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=359215763367633

 

 

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

JAMES TAYLOR   –   River

 

Just listening to my "other favorite version" of Joni Mitchell's best seasonal song, RIVER. (Alas, "comments are turned off" so we won't "learn more" will we?). From his Christmas album chock full of versions that our favorite singer/composer manages to make 'all his own.' You'd swear he composed 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' -- it's pure James Taylor. Same with RIVER. I think Joni would agree. Just left her Facebook page this note:

 

Author Mark Bego (now 71) in his 2005 book “Joni Mitchell” has the best quotes about Joni's childhood in small town rural Saskatchewan:

“When the War ended my father found us a little house by the highway with a picture window. And I think that set up a permanent longing to take off and go somewhere, in me.”

 

The trains ran so close to their tiny home that Joni would sit in that window and wave to the railroad conductors and engineers as they went by. Said Joni:

 

“Years later my mom and dad were at a party and they met a conductor on that railroad. He said, 'The only thing I remember [about that little town] was that there was a house with a big window where they left the Christmas tree lights up, and a little girl used to wave at me.' It was the same guy! It really makes you want to think that every prayer, every message we send eventually gets answered.”

 

Her town Joni said was “a small third world town, where the mail still came at Christmas on open wagons with sleigh runners!”

 

P.S. Favorite quote about her first box of crayons:

 

“Color is my first priority in the arts, before form or anything else …. in the public school system I craved to have the box of 24 crayons. I only had the box of 8; we couldn't afford the box of 24. But the 24 had magenta and turquoise, and chartreuse, and gold and silver and blonds in it. Oh, I wanted the 24!”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4WnmdTYPb8

 

[Mark Blackburn]

TOOTS THIELEMANS – Sinatra Medley

 

Two of the greatest jazz harmonica virtuosos (the two best according to all the other players) are Stevie Wonder - now in his 70s and Belgium's other “greatest gift to jazz” (after Django Reinhardt) Toots Thielemans who left us a decade ago, age 94.

 

Just thinking that I've never celebrated Toots in these pages -- although he and guitar giant Wes Montgomery are my personal 'top two' favorite jazz soloists. Prompted to do so right this minute, after watching a late-in-life 'live' performance by Toots, and Brooklyn-born pianist Kenny Werner, of a two-song "Sinatra Medley." 

 

Google to learn that “Kenny Werner and Toots Thielemans continued to play duo for seventeen years” and had one Grammy-nominated album together.

 

For fans of Frank, who know all his tunes by heart, their closing allusions to other songs by Sinatra are a joy to spot!  At songs' end, Toots alludes to 'Witchcraft' (“those fingers in my hair”) before Kenny quotes, ever-so-softly from 'Strangers in the Night.' Toots has the final say, with a snippet of 'Second Time Around.'

 

The medley itself – just two songs played rubato, out of tempo provides an achingly beautiful interweaving of 'All The Way' and 'My Way.'  See if this doesn't affect you!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx5lWt3xhbk

 

“And the Grammy for 'Best solo on a Christmas tune' goes to …. Toots Thielemans!” – words I'd longed to hear at the 50^th Grammy awards show (2007) where “James Taylor At Christmas” was Grammy-nominated. “Track 8 – with solo by Toots Thielemans” says the Wiki entry for this album.

 

Wikipedia

 

James Taylor at Christmas is the 17th studio and second Christmas album by singer-songwriter James Taylor, released by Columbia Records in 2006. It was his last release for Columbia since signing with the label in 1977.

 

The album is essentially a reissue (with a new title and slightly altered track listing) of James Taylor: A Christmas Album, a limited edition title distributed by Hallmark Cards in 2004. 

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," originally issued on Taylor's October Road in 2002, and "River" were not included on the original Hallmark release. Additionally, the original album featured a version of "Deck the Halls" which is not on the standard Columbia CD. (The Barnes & Noble chain, however, issued a version of the new title with "Deck the Halls" included as a bonus track.)

 

The album was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Album at the 50th Grammy Awards

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEKFEolkx9Q

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

Moments ago -- after posting the above -- as if to say, 'Excuse me, I do believe THIS was your favorite solo by Toots!"  Siriusly Sinatra played Natalie Cole's retire-the-trophy version of LOVE LETTERS (straight from your heart).  From perhaps my favorite of Natalie's Grammy-winning albums  -- Natalie singled this one out on her liner notes -- her deep gratitude for Toots' breathtakingly beautiful solo.

 

 

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

Edited December 16, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

DIANA KRALL  –  Where or When

 

I'm nearing 77 and losing my memory – for short term stuff like “coffee in the microwave” ('out of sight, out of mind,' right?) But not for really important things – like song lyrics!

 

Home alone again (my wife of 50 years now in geriatric care) I found myself singing the words of WHERE OR WHEN – a favorite Rodgers & Hart song, from 10 years before my birth (1937). First song ever written apparently, about the phenomenon we call 'deja vu.'  Music by my favorite composer Richard Rodgers, and a lyric only Larry Hart could have written: Just three short stanzas, and an even shorter 'bridge' (from memory imperfect).

 

It seems we stood, and talked like this before …

We looked at each other, in the same way then

But I can't remember where ... or when.

 

The clothes you're wearing, are the clothes you wore

The smile you are smiling, you were smiling then,

But I can't remember where ... or when.

 

Some things that happened for the first time

Seem to be happening again …

 

And so it seems, that we have met before

and laughed before, and loved before,

but who knows … where or when?

 

So. What's playing on Siriusly Sinatra a moment ago? My favorite version:  A 'live in Rio' performance by Diana Krall with my favorite opening scene of any of her splendid concert videos – a candid camera view of thousands having fun on a beach – the world's largest, and most famous – that can accommodate millions (and has).

 

I see my namesake reviewed this version “4 years ago” – at this exact time of year – “Summer in Rio.”  Really, isn't this lovely?

 

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

 

Edited December 17, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

SINATRA – My Heart Stood Still

 

Call it the 'convergence of all my favorites' – the singer, the album, the arranger, and the song --  playing right this minute on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio. Thanks, Jersey Lou Simon, programmer extraordinaire.

 

Rodgers & Hart's “My Heart Stood Still” – recorded with an 80 piece orchestra according to Frank Jr., who was present getting goosebumps at Hollywood's largest sound stage on some  enchanted evening in 1963.

 

From an album comprised mostly of Richard Rodgers compositions, this remains my all-time favorite Sinatra recording.

 

I see my namesake reviewed this in detail “3 years ago” with 'quotes from notes' by Nancy Sinatra and her late brother Frank Jr.

 

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

 

P.S.  Sarah and Ella also recorded lovely versions, each in its own way "the best recording" for a lot of people. And we can't forget this version, by Peggy Lee -- with a smaller Nelson Riddle orchestra, conducted by .... Frank Sinatra! Six years before his The Concert Sinatra (1963) recording. I'm thinking that as he conducted this recording by Peggy, Frank must have thought: "I've got to do this myself one day!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2-mSIyew8o

 

 

Edited December 19, 2023 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas,  Silent Night,  O Come All Ye Faithful,  Jingle Bells,  Where is Love?”

A truly inspired medley, playing right this minute on Siriusly Sinatra in answer to a question posed earlier at Tony Bennett's Facebook page:  “What's your favorite track?” – from Tony's classic SNOWFALL album -- with orchestras in New York and London arranged by Canada's Robert Farnon.”

Inspired is the word for the sequencing of this blend of sacred and secular tunes -- especially the concluding song -- a love ballad (from the '60s English musical “Oliver”).  It's a song Tony Bennett always cherished. 

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

 

 

 

[Mark Blackburn]

Hard for me to believe it's been 20 years since James Taylor's first “Christmas Album” – produced by Hallmark Cards -- re-released two years later, with two extra tracks, by Columbia Records.  

Dave Grusin – an Academy Award winning composer arranger jazz pianist and band leader (who won 10 Grammys, and was nominated for this album)  did most of the orchestrations; but not this one:  an old 'spiritual' – GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN.  As he often does James manages to make 'all his own.' Chord sequences that are 'pure James Taylor' and a great rhythm & soul rendition:  If you didn't know better you'd swear he wrote this one.

 

That's Dave Grusin at the piano (a Yamaha, I believe). And that's Michael Landau playing electric lead (on a rare, early 60's, 'Les Paul' Gibson pre - SG models).

 

Until this night I'd not seen this video. I turn up the volume and let it just wash over me. The sound of goosebumps.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifEUn1AxDYo

 

One other seasonal song from James Taylor you may not have heard-of:  from the 1988 album “Never Die Young” - HOME BY ANOTHER WAY. A reference to the Biblical quotation about the three Wise Men (Magi) who – “warned in a dream of King Herod's scheme” (the 'slaughter of the innocents') “they went home by another way.”

 

Among the versions offered at YouTube (all featuring the 'howling wolf' album cover) is one inspired “video of the Wise Men set to James Taylor” by an artist, Jane Mellett, three Decembers ago.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMNWOLzRgpI&t=38s

 

[Mark Blackburn]

 

Favorite versions, old and new  -  CLOONEY & PIZZARELLI

 

So love me tonight, tomorrow was made for some
Tomorrow may never come, for all we know.

Same year (1934) that American composer J. Fred Coots wrote his biggest hit – 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' – he penned his best ballad – FOR ALL WE KNOW. Beloved by jazz greats like Nat Cole, Billie Holiday and Wes Montgomery; all of them long gone. At moments like these I imagine them looking down on us with love. For words like these especially:

“I'll hold out my hand and my heart will be in it.”

I never heard a lovelier rendition than the one John Pizzarelli featured as his show-closer, and with such disarming words of introduction!

“Don't know if I've ever played this one . . . ”

A gem lasting barely a minute-and-a-half at the 41:40 mark.

 

https://www.facebook.com/JohnPizzarelliOfficial/videos/354251303905701

https://www.facebook.com/JohnPizzarelliOfficial

 

Coincidentally, Siriusly Sinatra right this minute is playing Rosemary Clooney's superb 'orchestral' recording.  As if to say, "Wasn't this version -- by George's Aunt Rosemary -- once your 'favorite version'?"  Yes indeed. Thank you, Jersey Lou Simon, programmer extraordinaire for the timely reminder.  Isn't she lovely?

One version posted to YouTube.  "Comments are turned off" so we won't "learn more" will we?

 

 

 

As if to say, "Aren't you forgetting his OTHER "best ballad"? Siriusly Sinatra is playing Frank's definitive rendition of Coots' YOU GO TO MY HEAD -- with lyric by his favorite collaborator, Haven Gillespie.   Recorded with the Nelson Riddle orchestra in 1960 and "remastered in 1999."  First offering at YouTube this day (1/8/2023) with informed comments like this:

"This is one of Nelson Riddle's most romantic arrangements and Sinatra rises to the occasion - he combines his exquisite phrasing e.g. "spinning roooouund in my brain" with a breathy intimate tone, slurring words, and using his lower register at the end. Sublime."

 

 

Edited January 8 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

PAUL MCCARTNEY – My Echo, My Shadow, and Me

 

“We three, we're not a crowd, we're not even company

My echo, my shadow and me . . . ”

 

Siriusly Sinatra is playing my favorite version of WE THREE (My Echo, My Shadow and Me) – Paul McCartney with all-star jazz musicians including Diana Krall as well as guitar giants John Pizzarelli and his father “Bucky” – for the “Kisses on the Bottom” Grammy-winning album “recorded live at Capitol” (2010).

 

A charming little song introduced by The Ink Spots in 1940 (their first No. 1 hit) and recorded the same year by “Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.” The Wiki entry lists Paul McCartney's version as the most recent. And yes, 'best ever' says me (three).

 

A song that alludes to a very old (1678) English saying which in 1850 America became “Two's company, three's a crowd”.  Interestingly the proverb's American version contains contractions: You never hear it quoted as “Two is company, three is a crowd.”

 

We three, we'll wait for you, even till Eternity

My echo, my shadow, and me.”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h47hxMK9ns&t=24s

 

From “Grammerist”

 

Two’s company, three’s a crowd is quoted when two people want to be alone together and the presence of a third person stops that from happening. Usually, when a couple invokes the proverb two’s company, three’s a crowd, they are romantically involved. However, sometimes the proverb is used when two friends do not enjoy the company of a third person ...

 

 

Edited January 8 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

“Hey, this is Harry Connick junior on Sirius/XM 'Siriusly Sinatra' playing favorites ...

“Louis Armstrong is one of my biggest influences: I think it's not only because he's from New Orleans – and I grew up playin' and singin' in New Orleans -- but I think it's 'cause he's one of the greatest musical minds of all time. And such an incredible representative of American Music.

“And with Louis Armstrong (like Sinatra) it's tough to pick one favorite, because … he changed and evolved so much, over the years.

“But he did a recording on an album (I believe the album is called 'The Silver Collection') of NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN. Which is truly one of the great heartfelt vocals of all time … but when his trumpet solo comes in, you can see why Louis Armstrong is in a class all by himself.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHFveRxXfM4

https://www.facebook.com/harryconnickjr

 

Edited January 10 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

ROB BOURASSA – Maria Elena

I was about to joke with my friend Rob Bourassa that he's “not merely the greatest guitarist to emerge from Wyandotte, Michigan ...” but then spotted his 'views' total for this one: 7.2 million. That's a lot of people who may love the tune just as much as I do! I see my namesake described this one “2 years ago” as “another vivid reminder of why Rob Bourassa may be the 'greatest guitarist you never heard-of!”

My generation of budding guitarists was introduced to 'Maria Elena' by “Los Indios Tabajaras" – a pair of native Brazilian brothers who were self taught on guitar; their hit recording sold a million copies, circa 1963: They gifted Chet Atkins with a resonator-type guitar that they'd used on their recording, and Chet in turn included it on a later album. Rob Bourassa borrows 'the best of both' recordings and it makes my heart sing. Yours too?

 

 

Edited February 1 by Mark Blackburn

[Mark Blackburn]

DOYLE DYKES – Wabash Cannonball

Google to be reminded that this Bluegrass classic “with a tune from the 1880s” was originally made famous by “Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys” circa 1936. Best ever instrumental version? This one (says me) just posted (2/8/2024) by Doyle Dykes. Some devilishly difficult picking that Doyle delivers perfectly, beginning to end, managing to make it look (almost) easy.

Doyle was playing this instrument, his signature model TAYLOR, when my guitarist son Ben saw him perform at a Toronto music store (15 years ago) and telephoned to say “Best guitarist I have ever seen, Dad.” So, like father like son. By the time Mr. Dykes begins to accelerate the pace around the 1:39 mark, I'm getting goosebumps. You too?

 

Edited February 11 by Mark Blackburn