Members Mark Blackburn Posted February 11 Author Members Share Posted February 11 (edited) AMY WINEHOUSE – (There is) No Greater Love It's four in the morning and Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing a seldom-heard jazz standard NO GREATER LOVE. At first I thought it was early Billie Holiday – or Dinah Washington and had to check the channel 70 'scroll' on the computer. “Amy Winehouse” [ ! ] Concerning which: In his 2021 masterpiece THE JAZZ STANDARDS (Oxford University Press) author Ted Gioia writes (after my own heart) “If music fans in the new millennium recognize the song, credit is mostly due to the late British vocalist who featured 'There is No Greater Love' on her million-selling 2003 album FRANK. That release is aptly named – hence the parental advisory warning label on the cover – but her ballad treatment of the Isham Jones standard is pure and heartfelt, and very much in the spirit of Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday.” Most viewed version (545K) at YouTube with a featured comment from “7 years ago” that speaks for younger, first time listeners: “I love the crickets and crackling record sounds on this track. Gives it an old-time intimate vibe, like sitting around a campfire and hearing Amy sing. I cried when I first heard this song.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWtZUujPRmQ Edited February 11 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted February 17 Author Members Share Posted February 17 A propos nothing but 'what's playing right this minute' on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio: “Tony Bennett & Alejandro Sanz – Yesterday I Heard the Rain” – I'd forgotten how beautiful a duet this was (from Duets II). Thanks, 'Jersey Lou' Simon, programmer extraordinaire at channel 70. At YouTube I see my namesake 'reviewed' this one "4 years ago" noting that, "It was the title track on an earlier Tony Bennett album: "Yesterday I Heard the Rain (Esta Tarde Vi Llover)" (Gene Lees, Armando Manzanero). For DUETS II this version playing on Sirius was with Alejandro Sanz -- a winner of 17 Latin Grammy awards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted February 19 Author Members Share Posted February 19 SINATRA - My Heart Stood Still Tony Bennett recalled a moment in Sinatra's NYC dressing room 70 years earlier, when Tony sought advice -- about being “very nervous” before a performance. Sinatra assured him it's the best thing that can happen to you – that it's good to be nervous, “the audience can sense it,” said Frank and “they'll be even more on your side.” Thought of that as I listened to my favorite latter-day 'live' concert performance at “Dallas TX Reunion Arena October 24, 1987.” – this, my favorite song from my favorite of his albums 'The Concert Sinatra' – Rodgers & Hart's masterpiece, MY HEART STOOD STILL. At the end of which, Sinatra says, disarmingly to his adoring audience, “Isn't that a pretty song? Beautiful song! Thank you very much.” He had flubbed a bit of his introduction – stepped on his words; and in the middle of the performance he forgot one line: “My feet could walk ….. and walk.” But the explosion of applause at song's end, reminds us that we were “even more on his side.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted February 19 Author Members Share Posted February 19 (edited) JUDITH HILL / STEVE TYRELL – I'll Take Romance I'll take a great modern arrangement over an old familiar one, any day -- like today! Vocals as well as the instruments of the orchestra are better recorded. Case in point, playing right now on Siriusly Sinatra -- “Steve Tyrell / Judith Hill – I'll Take Romance” – only Steve was listed on computer screen scroll: Google to be reminded by Wiki that “Judith Glory Hill is an American singer-songwriter from Los Angeles [who's] provided backing for such artists as Michael Jackson, Prince, and Josh Groben. In 2009 Hill was chosen as Jackson's duet partner for the song “I Just Can't Stop Loving You” during his THIS IS IT rehearsals.” She will turn 40 on May 6. Judith has a youthful, supple voice and she surely loved that Steve invited her to take the lead on their duet. Yes, my new favorite version of this great old standard. Arranged (as usual) by jazz guitar great Bob Mann. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=tMebvgIXSX0 An accomplished guitarist too! If, like me, you're a life-long sucker for 'funk' at its best, check out the first 5:00 minutes of this 'live' in studio performance -- with her parents as backup musicians! "The first KNKX session performance at our temporary location at Avast! Studios was a family affair. Hill's quartet on this trip to Seattle included drummer John Staten and Hill's parents, funk veterans Pee Wee Hill and Michiko Hill on bass and keyboards. Edited February 19 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted February 21 Author Members Share Posted February 21 (edited) JAMES TAYLOR -- You've Got to be Carefully Taught (I'll sing this) "Until it no longer applies" - John Pizzarelli says each week on his show re "You've Got to be Carefully Taught." To my ongoing delight, Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio continues to play select tracks from James Taylor's AMERICAN STANDARD album which won the Grammy three years ago, featuring inspired “arrangements for two guitars” -- by James and his good friend John Pizzarelli. John still closes his weekly live-streamed show “5 o'clock Somewhere” with his own version of this one – a song my musical father declared “the best song ever written about racial prejudice.” [I see my namesake reviewed this “3 years ago” noting ... ] 'That is Stuart Duncan on violin. My nomination, along with Mark O'Connor, as the greatest "sessions" player -- 'Nashville Cat' as Chet Atkins called them -- working today. Filmed in Nashville where James "spent a great week" working "with three of the very best players on this (or any other) planet." The other two: the King of Dobro (resonator guitar) Jerry Douglas, and Viktor (brother of Alison) Krauss on acoustic double bass.' James included on his “official music video” an informed comment: 'The song is a show tune from the 1949 musical South Pacific. At the time, South Pacific received scrutiny for its commentary regarding relationships between different races and ethnic groups. In particular, "You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught" was subject to criticism, judged by some to be too controversial or downright inappropriate for the musical stage. Sung by the character Lieutenant Cable, the song is preceded by a line saying racism is "not born in you! It happens after you’re born..."' Edited February 21 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted February 25 Author Members Share Posted February 25 (edited) It's 5:45 in the world's coldest major city (any Canadian can tell you where that is) and Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing a beautiful version of the Gershwins' THE MAN I LOVE: “The Girl I Love – Tony Bennett & Sheryl Crowe” says the computer scroll. Is it at YouTube? But of course. Even better, a video -- my new favorite from Tony's DUETS II. Don't you love it when they dance? https://www.facebook.com/sherylcrow Edited February 26 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted February 27 Author Members Share Posted February 27 ROD STEWART – For All We Know As I type this, Siriusly Sinatra “Chairman's Hour” show host Charles Pignone is “in conversation with Rod Stewart” – whose series of 'Great American Songbook' standards sold an estimated 40 million copies. Q: So you had great success with a series of albums celebrating the Great American Songbook. What made you go in that direction musically? And who are your favorite singers of that genre? A: Well I was brought up with that music – it was always being played in the house, and entered my psyche! It took a long time to convince a record company to let me do this. Warner Brothers – Clive Davis, actually – allowed me to do this. I had the voice to do it – I knew I had the voice to do it – so … Q: It's amazing that you have the voice to do this, 'cause there's a lot of people who do rock, who can't cross over! I went back – knowing I was going to talk to you – and one of my favorite tracks is FOR ALL WE KNOW. Which was produced by Phil Ramone. And has a wonderful string orchestration by Don Sabesky … a great arranger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv4u-6V0Ad8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 5 Author Members Share Posted March 5 (edited) It's quarter to two -- there's no one in the place, except me and you -- and Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing Jack Sheldon's version, “trumpet and vocal” of AVALON. A song jazz virtuosos like to play as fast as their hands can carry them. Just Jack, alone together with his favorite piano player Ross Tompkins. They loved each other's work, you can tell! The penultimate track on their one-hour 1992 Concord Jazz album. It starts at 51:08 – in case you need to put the needle down there manually. Why Jack Sheldon is my favorite jazz singer / trumpet player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCV5YXNPhhI&t=3068s Edited March 5 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 6 Author Members Share Posted March 6 (edited) My wife of 50 years is in a Care Home now, and wondering yesterday about what will become of her jewelry. "Who shall I give that ring to ... ?" Made me think of the best ballad from the perfect musical MY FAIR LADY I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face. Up early and right this minute (5:21) a mind reader at 'Siriusly Sinatra' satellite radio is playing my "new all-time favorite version" -- their Grammy-winning 'two-guitar' arrangement by James Taylor and John Pizzarelli. If I didn't know better I'd say, What a coincidence! Edited March 6 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 8 Author Members Share Posted March 8 (edited) THE LITTLE THINGS WE MISS ABOUT BERMUDA . . . “What do you call the large posts that support an outside railing?” Google, to be reminded: “balustrades.” Imagine your stepping out onto a little portion of that whitewashed rooftop. At high noon. There's an attractive, beige/yellow tiled floor on your balcony. Form follows function. Muted colors that make a 'statement,' both of modesty and money [ ! ] Just a little portion of your home …. but so inviting! I want to stay there. And duck inside, if there's sudden cloudburst (lasting more than a minute) then – stepping out again, to look out to sea ... 'beyond the blue horizon.' I feel a song coming on. A Grammy-winning arrangement by Nan Schwartz for Natalie Cole's last great ballad: HERE'S THAT RAINY DAY. Best song composed by Academy Award winners Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. Set to a rainy day video worthy of an Oscar, you may agree. Edited March 21 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 9 Author Members Share Posted March 9 VERONICA SWIFT – Getting to Know You "Are you still learning?” I told a favorite artist at Bermuda Daydreamin' that “It's a question I've been asking older people all my life.” My friend responded: “To cease to learn is to die!” And “In every single field of endeavor,” I said, “the 'masters' agree and every one of them says, Oh yes! – “I'm still learning, every day!” They'll warm to the question, with personal anecdotes about how 'the teacher is taught by the student.' So. It's midnight and I check Siriusly Sinatra – just in time to hear the opening verse of a song by my favorite composer, Richard Rodgers – GETTING TO KNOW YOU. Words by Oscar Hammerstein: It's a very ancient saying But a true and honest thought That if you become a teacher By your pupils you'll be taught. Raise your hand if you've heard-of “Veronica Swift” – I hadn't, until right now. The 'Great American Songbook' is still in good (young) hands! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWrOcp_0HSM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 9 Author Members Share Posted March 9 (edited) At this moment (7:57 Frozen Prairie Time) Siriusly Sinatra is playing SUMMER ME, WINTER ME from "The Summer of 42" Michel Legrand's haunting ode to summer at the beach. Words by The Bergmans, Marilyn and Alan. The glorious arrangement is by Don Costa (Nikka's Dad) who decided to pretty much stick with the original (gorgeous -- that word again) orchestration by Legrand. Quick, where's the nearest picture of Elbow Beach to go with this? Ah, from my friend Christopher Barbour: "Elbow Beach in October 2023. It was a glorious sunny day, with 80 degree air and water, a few days before tropical storm Tammy came in." Shared at BERMUDA DAYDREAMIN' this day (3/9/2024). Did I say thank you, Sinatra 80 for sharing this. Oh yes, two and three years ago! Edited March 15 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 11 Author Members Share Posted March 11 (edited) SUNDAY STRING-ALONG, 3.10.24 ("Confidence") “It's a lot of fun to come into KELLY'S music store,” says Doyle Dykes, in the upstairs room of his personal favorite guitar store -- in Texas where his good friend "Kelly Barber" (sp?) houses classic (costly) vintage instruments … like this one: “A Bedell,” says Doyle, “with a 'salvaged' Sitka (spruce) top, and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides ... Wow, what a great guitar!” Wow indeed: “With old strings” from which Mr. Dykes manages to elicit all sounds 'bright and beautiful.' [At the 4:45 mark] starting with Duke Ellington's IT DON'T MEAN A THING (If It Ain't Got That Swing!) – a ten-minute medley of (mostly) Chet Atkins' own personal favorite tunes; some of which I haven't heard in decades, but can whistle and hum every note! WINTER WALKIN', Three Little Words, (Do I love you?) 'DEED I DO, Bells of St. Mary … and a hymn I hadn't heard before, with the refrain, "Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord." “I'm just havin' fun – doing my thing! That's what you DO in a music store! Pick up a guitar and start playing. Now …. I don't think I brought my capo.” It turns out that didn't matter! Yes, when you're able to find ten minutes to enjoy -- pick it up at around 4:45 and watch in "full screen theater mode" please. Edited March 11 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 11 Author Members Share Posted March 11 (edited) SINATRA - Stormy Weather At this moment (1:20 Frozen Prairie Time) on a sunny winter's day in Winnipeg, I'm hearing George Benson accompanying Frank Sinatra with the best-ever Quincy Jones big band back in the 80s -- on a song Sinatra put off recording until that moment in time, saying that when he was younger, "You can't sing what you don't understand.' So `Stormy Weather' really didn't hit for me until later . . . " [ From his liner notes for my favorite of his compilation CD's.] "Everything Happens to Me" [ ] the perfect choice for album title, as his 1981 version of the Tom Adair/Matt Dennis classic-of-the-same-name, (with Gordon Jenkins conducting) could never have been done with such feeling during his younger days. The pure vocal skills may be less at age 66, but then the older interpretive genius really brings `gravitas' (as the Latins say) to updated lyrics like these: "But pal, you don't find rainbows in the bottom of a glass." And only an older and wiser man could deliver that believable blend of irony and humor dripping from the penultimate words: "(I) telegraphed and phoned, I sent an air mail special too, your answer was goodbye, and there was even (pause) postage due." "My singing career" (to quote from his own notes) "really began with two-dollar vocal lessons from John Quinlan, a crusty, Irish drunk who agreed to work with this skinny dago. His operatic training and knowledge of the human throat have guided me for sixty years. I owe him more than I can ever say. To this day, before EVERY performance, I use his vocal exercises to warm up, like a runner stretches, and I think of his lectures on respecting this delicate instrument: "Abuse it and you'll lose it!" Whenever I have neglected his advice, I've always paid a big price. If I was in pain, I would call Quinlan and John would mutter, "Shut up" -- he knew his business. "Just as simple and direct was his advice about material: `You can't sing what you don't understand.' All of us start out trying to sing like Crosby or Jolson, older and more experienced in life's struggles. So, `Stormy Weather' really didn't hit for me until later. You get the picture. But I learned fast and emotionally graduated to the songs of love, loss joy and despair, expertly conveyed by the best lyricists and songwriters in the world. These are the songs of the soul. These are my songs." Edited March 11 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 12 Author Members Share Posted March 12 (edited) PAUL MCCARTNEY - (I'd Like to Get You) On a Slow Boat to China A bunch of us from around the world were reminiscing, a moment ago at BERMUDA DAYDREAMIN,' about the days of “smaller cruise ships.” I shared Jimmy Buffett's over-the-top rendition of “(I'd Like to Get You) On a Slow Boat to China.” Immediately, the intuitive genius that is YouTube gave us THIS gem, I've never seen before, have you? Sir Paul, remembering his family's “New Year's eve sing-alongs, with my Dad playin' the piano – my aunties and uncles singing them. Right now I'd like to do one of those songs for you,” Frank (Guys & Dolls) Loesser's SLOW BOAT TO CHINA. Don't miss Paul's word's of introduction; but if you must, for now, pick it up at around the 1:55 mark. Edited March 12 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 15 Author Members Share Posted March 15 (edited) FRANKIE VALLI -- I'll Remember April Time for bed. But first .... better just check to see what I'll be missing, right this minute on my principal source of inspiration, “Siriusly Sinatra” satellite radio. Sure enough: Frankie Valli -- from his recent “Touch of Jazz” album, with brilliant jazz organ accompaniment that could only be Joey DeFrancesco: the best since Jimmy Smith. But who's the guitarist? He's channeling Wes Montgomery whose organist-of-choice was …. Jimmy Smith! Thanks to this video and its informed note we know it is “Paul Bollenback” – whose Wiki entry states that, Paul Norris Bollenback (born June 6, 1959) is a jazz guitarist who has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, The Tonight Show, The Today Show .... Born: 1959 (age 65 years), Hinsdale, Illinois, To my ears, jazz samba arrangements can't get better than this, may you agree! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkTnylUJWEw Edited March 15 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 15 Author Members Share Posted March 15 Canadian singer and actress DEBORAH COX is singing, right now on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio, my 'all-time favorite version' of a Dinah Washington signature tune: "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes." A lush and lovely stringed orchestra arrangement, in support of Deborah's artless delivery of a classic love song. [I see my namesake 'reviewed' this one, “1 year ago” with the alternate title, “What a Difference a Day MADE.” Both are correct.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOCl-NUusss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 20 Author Members Share Posted March 20 SINATRA – This Nearly Was Mine It was Frank's favorite among his own albums. Frank Jr., said so. The arranger and conductor Nelson Riddle said the orchestrations were in effect, the 'high water mark' of his own career; that he “never saw Sinatra more 'focused'” than on that enchanted evening in 1963. THE CONCERT SINATRA was recorded on 35mm tape with 82 musicians on the Goldwyn sound stage in Hollywood. We have a private members site at Facebook for “Sinatra Family Forum Alumni,” about a hundred of us. And I would wager that most would select as their favorite track, the one playing right this minute on Siriusly Sinatra: From Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC – “This Nearly Was Mine.” Listening to it, I realized for the first time tonight, that the final orchestral flourish is borrowed, 'verbatim, from Richard Rodgers' Carousel Waltz. The closing bars of crescendo are identical. How can I not have noticed before this? THE CAROUSEL WALTZ (in place of an overture) is my single favorite melody by my favorite composer! Best recorded version was posted to YouTube “2 weeks” ago, to 28 (correct) views as of this date (3/19/2024). The others, with thousands more views, don't sound as good! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUPDI2u7Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 20 Author Members Share Posted March 20 A bunch of us from around the world at BERMUDA DAYDREAMIN' are just admiring other people's flower-filled backyards. I shared that, "Coincidentally, or not, I'd just been humming a song by my all-time favorite female singer: That "you'll find that happiness lies, right under your eyes, back in your own backyard." Thanks for sharing Peggy Lee. Celebrated this day (3/20/2024)at " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 21 Author Members Share Posted March 21 (edited) SINATRA – Old Man River “What have we got now?” Sinatra asks his orchestra conductor, mid-way through a concert at Philadelphia's “Spectrum” arena. Before launching into Old Man River. In the studio recording of 11 years earlier (1963) Sinatra's sustained note is the longest in his career: 18 seconds. For those in the audience who expected him to do likewise in 'live' performance, a decade later, the singer didn't disappoint! The large orchestra replicates Nelson Riddle's stirring arrangement thanks to near perfect recording quality. The 'live at the Spectrum' recording is playing as I type this on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio. Just noted the concert date: October 7, 1974 – six days after Irene and I were married in Bermuda. 50 years come October 1. Edited March 21 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 21 Author Members Share Posted March 21 (edited) Sharing memories this day (3/21/2024) at BERMUDA DAYDREAMIN' [At some future date] HE: Do you remember back in June of '24 … that place Bev took us. The one with the beautiful white recliners …. SHE: With the turquoise pillows! Same color as the sea ... HE: And that evening we walked down the beach to the very end. No one there but us. And so we . . . SHE: That was another beach. But nearby! And yes ... I remember it well. HE: And you wore white? SHE: No, I wore blue. Am I getting old? HE: Oh no … not you! ---- You know me. I live my life in song lyrics. Thinking of “the most perfect song in all the world” as someone at YouTube described this. Hermione & Maurice and their show-stopper from GIGI. A kindred spirit wrote (4 years ago – with the largest number of 'thumbs-up'): "I have known my spouse for 45 years now. And I find myself not clearly remembering all the dates and details of our courtship. But as this song so eloquently demonstrates, it's the feeling of love that really counts in a relationship. And that is what I remember very well.” Hermione Gingold. Some of you, of an age, may remember her splendid voice for Disney's THE ARISTOCATS. And married for a time, to the fellow who wrote, "A cigarette that bears a lipstick's traces . . . an airline ticket to romantic places. Oh, how the ghost of you clings ... THESE FOOLISH THINGS remind me of you." [See p. 1 Rod Stewart's version. But this is where I came in.] P.P.S. The lighting! To match the 'setting sun' the whites begin slowly turning orange, imperceptably as he sings the bridge, "How often I've thought of that Friday . . . " Someone may have won a 'technical' Oscar for that. Or should have! I can't stop coming back to this share by Tisiana Fato which just turned 400K views since its posting "12 years ago." Edited March 23 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 22 Author Members Share Posted March 22 (edited) SINATRA – Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry At this moment Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing my favorite Sinatra ballad. From “my favorite year” (1958) -- a 'tale of two guitarists.' The solo guitar opening was originally played by George Van Epps, whose 7-string instrument (a jazz archtop) required a larger bass string - tuned to A. Which made the opening notes awkward (long story, not very interesting). Anyway, the recording was postponed because of this. And at a later date, another guitar virtuoso AL VIOLA made himself available at the last minute. Just before going to the session, he dropped into a pawn shop to purchase a 'gut stringed' classical instrument. The result? A Work of Art, you may agree. P.S. After typing the above I Googled and … sure enough: Is there anything you cannot search and find, in half a second? “For the [opening] verse of "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out", it was just Sinatra and Al Viola on gut string guitar. To get around the tricky F-sharps in Riddle's chart, Viola raised the low E with his thumb . . . “ I see my namesake reviewed this one '4 years ago' – the “remastered” version and the first offering at YouTube this day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By8KDLWtAAw https://www.facebook.com/mark.blackburn.3910/ Edited March 22 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 23 Author Members Share Posted March 23 (edited) Google to learn “How many Americans owned a TV in 1952?” “In 1946, there were approximately 20,000 television sets in the U.S.; by 1948, there were 350,000; and by 1952, there were 15.3 million. Less than 1 percent of American homes had TVs in 1948; 32 percent did by 1952.” Just in time to watch this gem in small screen black & white: “After Ricky and Fred get upset at their spending habits, Lucy and Ethel switch jobs – and go to work in a candy factory, while the boys do the housework.” You have to remember: average screen size was 14 inches. Color TV? An unthinkable, futuristic fantasy. How we would have loved this -- “Colorization” at its best. Like adding butter, everything's better in color! Including the “most watched clip” from the 180 'I Love Lucy' shows. Thank you Fathom Events and CBS for sharing. We now return to regular programming. Edited March 23 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 23 Author Members Share Posted March 23 We'll turn Manhattan into an Isle of Joy! Just for me, Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing my favorite 'NYC celebration' duet: Bette Midler guesting beautifully with Rod Stewart – on one of Rod's 'Great American Songbook' albums that sold 40 million copies, less than half his career total (so far!). Along with Vernon Duke's “Autumn in New York,” I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN is my favorite 'vacation destination' song from my all-time favorite composer Dick Rodgers. Did I ever tell you what makes him “the best”? Has it really been 20 years, since “Volume III”? Dare I say, “my favorite.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4GW7GFQVhA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mark Blackburn Posted March 24 Author Members Share Posted March 24 (edited) ”Moonlight Mountain Ride” -- “LAZY S RANCH – Tonight at 8:30.” Just a singin' cowboy and his best gal . . . and their endearingly cooperative horses, relaxing in 'moonlight through the pines' and doin' what comes naturally: Breaking into song. But what a song. I see my namesake reviewed this '1 year ago' and quoted informed kindred spirits: DAVINDAIR (3 years ago) “This tune is one of the glories of the American songbook with its ravishing, dreamy melody line. No wonder every jazz artist of note recorded it.And then there's Dick Foran's lilting, lullaby voice: a sound like no other. Thanks for this priceless upload. ANTHONY WILLIAMS (2 years ago) I have been playing this beautiful song on guitar in various jazz groups for more than sixty years, without knowing where the song came from, and having just stumbled upon this upload, I feel humbled by the beauty and unashamed sentimentality of the romance from which it was first sung. This version is without doubt the best of the best renditions, and I think that I have heard them all. Thank You. A musical 'screen gem' set in the middle of a low-budget Abbot & Costello comedy – something Turner Classic Movies may never get around to celebrating! The actor's name is Dick Foran. He died 45 years ago at age 69 at his home in Los Angeles. His IMDb entry says, “ Dick Foran was the matinée idol of the B movies. He started as a band singer and then sang on the radio. Wiki adds: “Known for his performances in Western musicals and for playing supporting roles in dramatic pictures. He appeared in dozens of movies of every type during his lengthy career, often with top stars leading the cast.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pZAIaN86-E Edited March 24 by Mark Blackburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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