Mark Blackburn

SINATRA - All The Things You Are The day before Nancy terminated her "Sinatra Family" dot com site (1/8/2021) I contacted a favorite contributor, "Lorenzo Tedesco" (Larry Daniels) who responded to this note: -- about my family's favorite Broadway show tune: "Always appreciated your comments, Larry. This one I happened on a moment ago, saving files from the Family forum to my home computer." THIS SONG CHANGED MY LIFE.... My lovely wife and I worked together in Boston around 1991 and I was simply mashugana about her. Alas she was not as enthralled about me as I had hoped and turned me down twice. Then I left a card on her desk with just the verse from this lovely tune: “Time and again I longed for adventure. Something to make my heart beat the faster. What did I long for? I never really new. Finding your heart I found my adventure. Touching your hand my heart beat the faster. All that I want in all of this world is you....” She thought that I had composed it. And we finally did get together and are still together almost 30 years and three wonderful kids later. Thank you, thank you, Mr. Hammerstein. And Diana.... " Best Version better audio and most appreciated with "550,432 views" -- this one (not the one below it which I can't remove).

TONY BENNETT / BILL CHARLAP – All The Things You Are At the former Sinatra Family Forum website (terminated last summer by Nancy after a 24 year run) we had a thread devoted to one song -- All The Things You Are -- my family's favorite Broadway show tune. The Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein masterpiece has become a touchstone for jazz guitarists for its melody -- simultaneously easy to hum or whistle but hard to play well: a riot of modulations that winds up, magically, back in the same key. At this moment, Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing my latter-day favorite version – Tony Bennett's Grammy-winning collaboration with jazz giant Bill Charlap. Tony, five years ago, on the brink of turning 90. Just listen to his high note, on the final “when all the things you ARE, are mine.”

MONALISA TWINS – Baby You Can Drive My Car Back in the 60's when all of us were in bands and doing Beatles covers (mine was 'The Suspects' – of Ottawa Canada – you may not have heard of us) I recall how difficult it was to do a good impression of The Fab Four on a song popular with audiences -- like 'Baby You Can Drive My Car.' An American guitarist friend (we trade Chet Atkins anecdotes) just shared this. Talented singer/musicians – the “MonaLisa Twins” – girls and boys having fun at 'The Cavern' in Liverpool, circa the Summer of '21. Their Wikipedia entry: "MonaLisa Twins are a pop rock band, fronted by twin-sister singer-songwriters Mona Wagner (vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion, harmonica, flute) and Lisa Wagner (vocals, lead guitar, ukulele, cello)." The twins were born in Vienna Austria (June 16, 1994) and based in Liverpool, in the United Kingdom. Known for their YouTube video covers of songs by The Beatles and other 1960's bands. They have toured with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, performed at the Glastonbury Festival, collaborated with American musician John Sebastian, and held a two-year residency at the Cavern Club." The band's producer is the twins' father Rudolf Wagner, who also plays the bass and piano, and co-writes and arranges their music, which is recorded in the Wagner family's own music studio.[2] Rudolf's wife and the twins' stepmother, Michaela Wagner, is the band's manager and assistant. The family lived in a small village in the Groß-Enzersdorf municipality near Vienna, Austria, until 2014, when they moved to a suburb of Liverpool.

MCCARTNEY – Kisses on the Bottom From his KISSES ON THE BOTTOM album released a decade ago (February 2012) Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio has been playing at least one track per day. The latest – the title track, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (“a lotta kisses on the bottom, I'll be glad I've got 'em”). With my favorite guitarist / jazz singer John Pizzarelli playing rhythm. Like vintage guitars and violins, this album just improves with age, you may agree. Some of these tracks are my 'all-time favorite' versions – case in point. This won a Grammy for Best Music Video. But you knew that.

SINATRA (live) – My Heart Stood Still Google the words “Sinatra live Dallas 87 My Heart Stood Still” and – there it is! Really, is there anything we can't find at YouTube circa 2022? Another reason to tell the grand kids that 'This is the best time in human history to be alive.' And 'Don't let any old sourpuss tell you otherwise.' ---- “Isn't that a pretty song? Beautiful song! Thank you!” says Sinatra, to rapturous applause at the close, after sustaining his final note (an E-flat) at full volume for fully 15 seconds. From “The Concert Sinatra” album of 1963 (my favorite) where Frank held a note even longer – 18 seconds in the middle of OLD MAN RIVER for the words: “ . . . and you lands in jail . . . [through to] I gets weary and sick of tryin'....”). ---- I'd just hit the “back 1 hr” button for Sirius radio streaming on my computer and as if to say “I think you need this today” – it's my favorite 'live' performance of my favorite Rodgers & Hart song, MY HEART STOOD STILL. If I could keep only one track from my favorite album by Sinatra it's this one: The singer considered his performances (of mostly Richard Rodgers songs) with an 80-piece orchestra on the huge Goldwyn sound stage in Hollywood in '63 to be the pinnacle of his career. Which is to say, “Thanks 'Jersey Lou' Simon for programming this one today. An official version was uploaded to YouTube in 2018, complete with spoken intro. Alas, “comments turned off.”

PAUL MCCARTNEY – The Glory of Love The recent loss of beloved actor Sidney Poitier (January 6 age 94 in Beverly Hills) brought back memories of the Oscar-winning theme song from one of his best movies, The Glory of Love – playing right now on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio. My favorite version by Paul McCartney. Hard to believe it has been exactly ten years (February 2012) since the release of his “Kisses on the Bottom” album of standards (and should-have-been-standards loved by Paul's father) that was recorded at Capitol Tower in Hollywood with a star-studded supporting cast of musicians – with three featured guitarists including John Pizzarelli. I never heard a better (easy on the ears and heart) rendition than Sir Paul's of this great old song. Love that the in-studio video included a shot of the original 78 rpm “Victor” recording by “Benny Goodman and his His Orchestra.”

KENNY COLMAN – My Funny Valentine Once or twice a year Siriusly Sinatra's programmer extraordinaire Jersey Lou Simon includes on his playlist a song by Winnipeg's Kenny Colman. Like right this moment – Kenny singing My Funny Valentine to mostly solo piano accompaniment with a sax solo by ... someone good. Plain and simple, the way Kenny performed in nightclub settings. From a two-decades old album that someone (his musical son I believe) uploaded to YouTube. On a personal note, I emailed some words of praise to Kenny Colman (15 years ago) and asked if he was aware he was getting regular airplay on Sirius/XM radio. He wasn't. And that's when we learned we two had some coincidences to share: He grew up here in Winnipeg (our poor 'North End') and a decade before me, he worked for the same radio / TV station in Bermuda "ZBM." Kenny shared that Sinatra once saw him perform and they spoke later. He quoted Frank as telling him, at the time, in the 80s, “There's only a few of us left Kenny – like you, me and Tony!” No Wikipedia entry for Kenny Colman but thanks to Jersey Lou Simon for keeping his memory alive by playing this particular song. A very good jazz singer, you may agree.

FRANK, GLADYS KNIGHT, STEVIE WONDER – For Once In My Life Funny how music can warm your heart and cheer you up 'body and soul' when you need it most! Today for instance, here in Winnipeg, the world's coldest major city (“Winterpeg” as we call ourselves) we're enduring our snowiest winter in living memory combined with unrelenting bitter cold. For weeks at a time here we can hit overnight lows – windchill factors – of minus 40 Celsius (down where the two temperature scales meet -- “be it Fahrenheit or Centigrade” as Peggy Lee used to sing Fever-ishly). Our latest blizzard brought another foot of snow overnight. I need my music to keep me warm, right this minute. As if to say, "Will this help?" Siriusly Sinatra is playing Sinatra's “Duets II” recording, Frank and Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder – “For Once in My Life.” On one of his 'live in Vegas' albums, Sinatra says: “This was [written] by your nephew, right?” – asking the question of his career-long pianist Bill Miller (who died in Montreal on tour with Frank Jr.) Sinatra did an early cover of this song for his 1969 album “My Way” and this recording is from his 1994 “Duets II” album. [Wikipedia notes] "For Once in My Life" is a song written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records' Stein & Van Stock publishing company, and first recorded in 1965. It was written and first recorded as a slow ballad. There are differing accounts of its earliest versions, although it seems that it was first recorded by Connie Haines, but first released in 1966 by Jean DuShon. Other early versions of the ballad were issued by Nancy Wilson, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Diana Ross and Tony Bennett, whose recording was the first to reach the pop charts. The most familiar and successful version of "For Once in My Life" is an uptempo arrangement by Stevie Wonder, recorded in 1967. Wonder's version, issued on Motown's Tamla label, was a top-three hit in the United States and the United Kingdom in late 1968 and early 1969. Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder In 1967, Tony Bennett's recording of the song peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart (number 8 on the Easy Listening survey)[14] and was the title track of his album For Once in My Life. "For Once in My Life" remained in Bennett's concert repertoire into the 2000s. In 2006 Bennett teamed up with Stevie Wonder to record a ballad tempo version for his Duets: An American Classic album, for which Bennett and Wonder received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Bennett also performed it on the grand finale of the sixth season of American Idol and in the Grammy Award-sponsored tribute Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life – An All-Star Salute, which aired February 16, 2015, on CBS.

JONI MITCHELL – Both Sides Now Channel 71 satellite radio is playing Frank Sinatra's version of Joni Mitchell's biggest hit song BOTH SIDES NOW. It's been two decades since Joni herself re-recorded it with a 70-piece orchestra whose arrangement won a Grammy. [note below] Composed in 1966, the first hit version was by Judy Collins – allegedly disliked by Joni – who forever after avoided being quoted on which were her “favorite renditions by other artists.” It is quite the eclectic list: ranging from Frank and Bing Crosby to Doris Day and Dolly Parton. Jazz giant Herbie Hancock won an 'Album of the Year' Grammy for his instrumental version on an all- Joni Mitchell songs album. A Financial Times article in 2019 noted the song's “lyrical sophistication” but that it was “the lovely melody that made it instantly attractive to a diverse range of predatory, hit-hungry artists.” Funny how a great melody – increasingly rare -- will have that effect: “I HAVE to record that song!” Her own re-recording, with a monster orchestra arranged and conducted by Vince Mendoza, reminds us of how Joni Mitchell always wanted to record her best-seller. 22 years on, it still goes straight for my heart. Yours too? Both Sides Now is a concept album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell that was released in 2000. It is her 17th studio album. The album won two Grammy Awards in 2001 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for the song "Both Sides, Now" and a Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Two of her own songs are included: "A Case of You" (1971) and "Both Sides, Now" (1969). The orchestra was arranged and conducted by Vince Mendoza. Co-producer Larry Klein in his liner notes, described the album as: "A programmatic suite, documenting a relationship from initial flirtation, through optimistic consummation, metamorphosing into disillusionment, ironic despair, and finally resolving in the philosophical overview of acceptance and the probability of the cycle repeating itself". A limited run of copies was released on February 8, 2000, in chocolate box packaging for Valentine's Day with several lithographs of Mitchell paintings. A jewel case edition was released on March 20, 2000. On tour, Mitchell performed the songs in the same sequence as the album, but she opened with the overture "Nuages" (Clouds) -- the first movement from Nocturnes, an orchestral suite composed by Claude Debussy.

JAMES TAYLOR / JONI MITCHELL - All I Want So many wonderful "replies" below the video. To single out just one that speaks to the hearts of millions of us 'of an age' -- THIS, from ANDREA MILLER (1 day ago): "No words can describe the gift that this is. I am 65 now, don't think I have heard this in 30 years, it was all I ever listened to 20 years before that and this has bent time and brought it all back - but in a way that just rounds everything out and leaves only the sublime feelings of relish and soaring joy. Impossible to even imagine at age 15, then age 35, that there would be a channel opened shooting me straight back to then, that brings James back to Joni to share with all who loved each and both of them, to listen again, and revel again, with the sagacity of age. It makes me feel complete. Thank you with all my heart."

TONY BENNETT / BILL CHARLAP – Look For The Silver Lining Listening at this moment to Tony Bennett and one of today's greatest jazz pianists Bill Charlap – in a live performance of the title track from their Grammy-winning album of 2015; “The Silver Lining” – celebrating the music of Jerome Kern, the acknowledged 'dean' of 20th century composers and “one of my own favorites” says Tony on his Facebook page. “The wonderful Bill Charlap” says Tony after his accompanist's solo on the musical bridge – at once evocative of Bill Evans, while retaining the distinctive Bill Charlap style; In just a few tasteful chords and phrases Mr. Charlap triggers harmonic memories of Tony with Bill Evans – their iconic 'alone together' albums shortly before Evans' early death in 1980. Hard to imagine any other living singer performing with such power at the start of his ninth decade. Recorded “August of 2015 in New York.”

JOHN PIZZARELLI - Our Love is Here to Stay [Left my favorite guitarist/jazz singer John Pizzarelli a note at his Facebook page:] My new favorite 'orchestral' arrangement for nylon-string guitar is around 44:46 in your latest "Virtual Tip Jars" show: The Gershwin brothers' final song together, (Our) LOVE IS HERE TO STAY is given a retire-the-trophy presentation -- with 'every note a chord' and in quick sequences that are breathtaking for any musician who loves that great tune. Bet the Gershwins would have loved your rendition. And George Van Eps (inventor of the seven-stringed Epiphone archtop guitar) who I imagine looking down this night and saying, "Well done, John!" [Hope this Facebook link works for you!] https://www.facebook.com/JohnPizzarelliOfficial

TONY BENNETT / LADY GAGA – But Beautiful Surely the best ballad in the year of my birth (1947) was Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen's BUT BEAUTIFUL. (Their other best collaboration – Here's That Rainy Day – had to wait another five years -- introduced in a short-lived Broadway musical). Playing right this minute on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio (now channel 71) is my favorite duet of this great song by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga eight years ago. I needed to be reminded that there's an official video, posted by the Lady herself. Everything a little out of sync, including the guitar solo by one of my heroes – Tony's longest-serving accompanist Gray Sargent. Playing his then- new 'Godin' -- a made-in-Quebec, archtop non-cutaway electric -- plain, But Beautiful! I see my namesake wrote a review for this one, "1 year ago" -- shared with the “Sinatra Family Forum” which Nancy terminated last summer (1/8/2021) after a 24 year run.

THE MOODY BLUES – “The Day Begins” Sometime when I wasn't looking, in late 2018, The Moody Blues decided to share composer/arranger Peter Knight's 'orchestral interludes' from their landmark album “Days of Future Past.” Around the 4:00 mark of Peter Knight's nearly five minute opening segment, titled THE DAY BEGINS, there is a brief spoken interlude by a superb narrator. 55 years after I first heard this album, for reasons I couldn't put into words, it still give me goosebumps! Still wondering his identity – who he is, or was. Peter Knight who was born the same year as my father (1917) died of cancer in 1985, and many of those then- middle-aged London Philharmonic musicians have surely left us as well. Wikipedia's list of The Moody Blues band members includes the names of three who have died, including most recently in 2021, percussionist Graeme Edge. All but one have Wiki entries of their own (below). I remember loving at first listen, the sound of that man's voice “Cold hearted orb, that rules the night, removes the colors from our sight, red is gray, and yellow, white – but we decide which is right, and which is an illusion . . . ” Main article: List of the Moody Blues band members Graeme Edge – drums, percussion, vocals (1964–2018; died 2021) Denny Laine – guitar, vocals (1964–1966) Mike Pinder – keyboards, vocals (1964–1978) Ray Thomas – flute, percussion, harmonica, vocals (1964–2002; died 2018) Clint Warwick – bass, vocals (1964–1966; died 2004) Rodney Clark – bass, vocals (1966) Justin Hayward – guitar, vocals (1966–2018) John Lodge – bass, guitar, vocals (1966–2018) Patrick Moraz – keyboards (1978–1991)

LADY GAGA – Do I Love You Just for a moment, I didn't recognize the singer – a beautiful woman's voice with a lesser-known Cole Porter love song: playing right this minute on Siriusly Sinatra “Ch 70 - Lady Gaga – DO I LOVE YOU.” With a brief but lovely instrumental solo on the musical bridge – by Tony Bennett's longest-serving guitarist Gray Sargent (who in recent years has been playing a Quebec-made “Godin” archtop – a Gibson L-5 'Wes Montgomery' sound-alike instrument). From their (6X) Grammy nominated all- Cole Porter album. At YouTube of course with “comments left on” where the most recent comment speaks for millions of us: JUST A LOST SOUL HERE ON YT: (3 months ago) Tony's right. Jazz music shall never die. This is pure gold. Their friendship is so pure and awesome?

KAREN CARPENTER – Little Girl Blue Hit the 'back 1 hr' button and my computer scroll screen says: “Channel 70 CARPENTERS – Little Girl Blue” Among male singers I love Sinatra's version of Little Girl Blue more than any other; but it's a 'girl song' – and whenever I summon it up, in my mind's ear, it's always Karen Carpenter's voice I hear. With “London Philharmonic” strings arranged by the late Peter Knight. Like many of us, Richard Carpenter was crazy about Mr. Knight's 'lush orchestral interludes' on the Moody Blues' DAYS OF FUTURE PAST – black vinyl LP released in 1967; though they waited five years to release the single “Nights in White Satin” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard chart in 1972. The year my Irene and I met in Bermuda. When the entire album became 'our song' – especially “Tuesday Afternoon.” ---- My favorite “Playing Favorites” show on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio was hosted by Richard Carpenter – who shared with listeners the name of the great English arranger Peter Knight whose Wikipedia entry now includes a relevant note that wasn't there before. [below]. This was his show closer. Rodgers & Hart – one of their best 'show tunes' from the 1930's and one of Larry Hart's more poignant, and alliterative lyrics – especially on the bridge: (“surrender” “getting slender” “send a tender”): When I was very young the world was younger than I As merry as a carousel The circus tent was strung with every star in the sky Above the rings I loved so well! Now the young world has grown old Gone are the silver and gold . . . No use old girl, you may as well surrender Your hope is getting slender Why won't somebody send a tender blue boy To cheer up little girl blue WIKIPEDIA Composer / arranger Peter Knight's involvement with pop music was varied. He became famous for his rich lush orchestration for The Moody Blues' Days of Future Passed, most widely known through the single Nights in White Satin. Richard Carpenter invited Knight to fly to Los Angeles in 1977 in order to generate a similar sound for The Carpenters "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" (1977). He also gave a similar treatment to The Carpenters' version of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". Knight collaborated with The Carpenters on their two Christmas Special Television Shows in 1977 and 1978, for which he was the principal arranger. On the special edition CD of the music from these two shows, Knight arranged three of the extended medleys and ten of the single charts. Knight also wrote arrangements for the King's Singers [England's most famous a capella singers] Married, with no children, he died of lung cancer, aged 68, in 1985.

SUE RANEY – Put 'em in a Box, Tie 'em with a Ribbon and . . . . . . throw 'em in the deep blue sea – Love is one thing you can keep! My favorite romantic/humorous lyricist Sammy Cahn wrote this song the year of my birth to a catchy tune by Jule (Just In Time) Styne. I would have been in a play pen at our cottage when I first heard Doris Day's hit version (the summer of '48). Bet I loved it! I haven't heard a recent 'cover' until tonight – playing on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio – by one of my favorite vocalists Sue Raney. I love Sue's way with a song – and her arrangers. Wonder who did this chart? I keep meaning to get the album, to find out. Since the last time I looked there is a brief Wiki entry [below] but no mention among the 'covers' of this winning entry by Sue. From Wikipedia: "Put 'em in a Box, Tie 'em with a Ribbon, and Throw 'em in the Deep Blue Sea" is a popular song. The music was written by Jule Styne, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was published in 1947, and was further popularized in the 1948 movie Romance on the High Seas, where it was sung by Doris Day accompanied by the Page Cavanaugh Trio.[1] The lyrics deal with a person who is through with love and therefore metaphorically wants to throw everything away in a box into the sea. [2] Popular recordings in 1948 were by Doris Day; Eddy Howard & His Orchestra; and by Nat King Cole.[3] Other recordings [edit] Frankie Laine- recorded for Mercury Records (catalog No. 5130) on December 1, 1947.[4] Danny Kaye and the Andrews Sisters - recorded for Decca Records (catalog No. 24462B) on June 4, 1948.[5] Hal McIntyre & His Orchestra - recorded for MGM Records (catalog No. 10193) (circa 1947/48).[6] Ray McKinley & His Orchestra - recorded for RCA Victor (catalog No. 20-2873A) on December 28, 1947.[7] Steve Lawrence - for his album Here's Steve Lawrence (1958).[8] Scot Albertson - Got a Date with Fate (2004).[9]

JOHNNY MATHIS & ALISON KRAUSS – Let It Be Me A French melody by “Gilbert Becaud” with an English lyric by “Mann Curtis” -- composed in the 1950's, just in time for The Everly Brothers to turn into their most beautiful, million-selling ballad. And when Johnny Mathis went to Nashville – for his album with my favorite Bluegrass singer/violinist Alison Krauss – this song was top of their list. A personal note: Delighted to be reminded by this version at YouTube, that the personnel for this date included my “other favorite living fiddler” Stuart Duncan who 'doubled on mandolin.' And, among the three Nashville-based guitarists playing on this number, there's a favorite of mine, “Brent Mason.” Compliments to the artist for the beautiful 'bucolic' album cover, and to Johnny Mathis for this upload to YouTube. Alas “comments are turned off” – always a pity!

ERIC CLAPTON - Our Love is Here to Stay Anticipating Michael Feinstein's 'GERSHWIN COUNTRY' album (due out March 11) by almost a decade, rock guitar legend Eric Clapton recorded The Gershwin brothers last tune together – Our Love is Here to Stay. Playing right now at a quarter to three when there is no one in the place except you and me. Thought I'd check to see what Jersey Lou Simon is programming in the wee small hours. From Eric Clapton OLD SOCK album (2013). A countrified arrangement complete with steel guitar solo on the musical bridge. It works, doesn't it?

JOHNNY MATHIS – Cottage For Sale The lawn we were proud-of, is waving in hay Our beautiful garden, has withered away Where you planted roses, the weeds seem to say . . . a 'Cottage For Sale' The most beautiful version I have ever heard, of one of the most poignant ballads ever written – “Cottage For Sale” – is playing right now on Siriusly Sinatra: Johnny Mathis, at the peak of his powers (wonder when?) with an achingly beautiful string arrangement by (wonder who?) with a violin obbligato on the opening orchestral flourish that brings tears of joy! He remembered to include the song's seldom-heard opening verse, I'd never heard before right this minute! “Love, in a bungalow high on a hill – that was the way we had planned it Now, it's a bungalow . . . needing your love to command it Our little dream castle with every dream gone is lonely and silent – the shades are all drawn, and my heart is heavy as I gaze upon . . . a 'Cottage For Sale' Solo piano accompaniment at first, and then the strings rise up, at the precise moment they are needed – for this imagery: “The lawn we were proud-of is waving in hay Our beautiful garden, has withered away Where you planted roses, the weeds seem to say …. “A Cottage For Sale” When was this recorded, I wonder? Just listen to that vocal instrument at its very best. Johnny Mathis still tours, and a dear friend, an American concert violinist, who has accompanied him on stage on more than one occasion, says: “He still has that audience in the palm of his hand.” Just one version at YouTube this night -- an official share. Thanks, Johnny Mathis.

SINATRA – Here's to the Band Just thinking of how Frank Sinatra liked to tell audiences the names of the great song writers and his “wonderful arrangers.” Listening now to one such intro that included the names of three obscure song writers who co-wrote a song just for him, titled “Here's To The Band.” My “other favorite show” on Siriusly Sinatra channel 70 is “The Chairman's Hour” produced by the “president of Sinatra Enterprises” Charles Pignone. We never hear his voice, but we know he's the one who cleverly interlaces accumulated bits of Sinatra monologues that provide perfect intros to overlooked gems like this one (a moment ago): “Here's a new song – or, comparatively new,” says an older Sinatra, with a smile in his voice for a song that celebrates the many hundreds of unsung heroes in his various bands and orchestras that accompanied Frank on stage: “It was written” he says, “by Arthur Schroeck, Sharman Howe, and Alfred Nittoli, and arranged by Joe Parnello. And I think you're going to love it!” Love the lyric, which culminates with words of praise for the musicians' Federation: “Here's to the ladies, and the gentlemen of the A-F of M …. ” A song that opens with a concise summary: "I've sung with the best, and I've had it all I've gone from neighborhood saloons to Carnegie Hall I've been down and out, and I've been in demand But I wouldn't have made it without them, here's to the band!" Best 'live' version at YouTube? Maybe this one from “London 1984” with Frank tweaking the lyric from Carnegie to “Albert Hall.” “Light 'em up!” he urges the assembled English musicians who really give it their all on the musical bridge. The poster to YouTube left in a little of Frank's 'extro': “Isn't that a nice piece of music . . . and dedication (to the bands). Without them I might be selling tires – or stealing tires!”

SINATRA – Body & Soul (2008 Torrie Zito arrangement) My new favorite Sinatra song – Frank's mid-80's recording of “the most recorded” jazz standard, BODY AND SOUL. A bunch of us were sitting around listening to tonight's replay of a 'Nancy for Frank' program on Siriusly Sinatra – from 13 years ago (1/18/2009). The arrangement is stunning. And it was as if I'd never heard it before. Turns out, I hadn't. I asked the Wise Men (and Women) at the “Sinatra Family Forum Alumni” (private) Facebook page: “From Frank's TRILOGY – “The Past” right? In which case, that beautiful string arrangement is by Billy May, no?” The within-the-hour response from our youngest Wise Guy, Matt M: “Recorded at the 'LA Is My Lady' sessions in 1984 with new overdubbed orchestration by Torrie Zito in 2007.”

JAMES TAYLOR -- Shed a Little Light Google for “MLK Birthday” and be reminded that “Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is celebrated on Monday, January 17, 2022. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. -- Almost immediately after King's death, there were calls for a national holiday in his honour. Beginning in 1970, a number of states and cities made his birthday, January 15, a holiday . . . ” I awoke today recalling a favorite line from James Taylor's celebration of his life: “Can't get no light from a dollar bill; don't give me no light from a TV screen . . . “ Where's a favorite version of that great 'birthday song' about shedding a little light? Here we are!

NATALIE COLE - Where Can I Go Without You? Whatever did we do before search engines? And Wikipedia! Thanks to which, I just learned that on my seventh birthday (3/13/54) Peggy Lee's WHERE CAN I GO WITHOUT YOU? reached it's “Peak Pop Chart Position” – No. 28 according to her “Chart Hits Singles” listings at Wikipedia. Peggy's Wiki entry is huge and keeps adding anecdotes: like this satisfying note with details about the Disney Corporation finally paying Peggy nearly 4 million dollars in long overdue royalties: Lee provided speaking and singing voices for several characters in the Disney movie Lady and the Tramp (1955), playing the human Darling, the dog Peg, and the two Siamese cats, Si and Am. She also co-wrote, with Sonny Burke all of the original songs for the film, including "He's A Tramp", "Bella Notte", "La La Lu", "The Siamese Cat Song", and "Peace on Earth". In 1987, when Lady and the Tramp was released on VHS, Lee sought performance and song royalties on the video sales. When Disney refused to pay, she filed a lawsuit in 1988. After a prolonged legal battle, in 1992, Lee was awarded $2.3 million for breach of contract, plus $500,000 for unjust enrichment, $600,000 for illegal use of Lee's voice and $400,000 for the use of her name. ---- I believe I CAN remember, age seven, hearing this song playing on our family's little “Viking” table radio (from Canada's Eaton's store) – a large-sounding 'tube' radio that proved indestructible, providing several decades of use! Yes, it took Natalie Cole to re-introduce me to this wonderful song with words by Peggy to a tune by Victor ('Stella by Starlight') Young. Playing “1 hour ago” on Siriusly Sinatra channel 70. Most recent upload to YouTube is this one (2020) with “comments turned off” (so we won't “learn more” will we?) I recognize the arranger – New Zealand born pianist Alan Broadbent. He conducted Winnipeg Symphony musicians on Diana Krall's last visit to our Jets hockey arena. How I miss Natalie Cole – waiting for her next album of standards, like this one, perhaps my favorite, STARDUST.

“Tony Bennett with Ralph Sharon and his Orchestra – Recorded Live at Carnegie Hall June 9, 1962” So says the scroll on my computer as Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio plays the most powerful version I never heard before of WITHOUT A SONG. [For over 500 Sirius radio weekly shows, Sinatra's 'swing' version of that Vincent Youmans song was the opening theme to “Nancy for Frank” – still in replays with weekly shows from 14 years ago.] 60 years ago, Tony Bennett's 'live' at Carnegie Hall performance came 16 years after the death of the song's composer Vincent Youmans [Wiki note below]. Just listen to Tony at the peak of his powers – the power and beauty of a voice Sinatra famously declared was “for my money, the best in the business.” Until quite recently, whenever Tony performed in a concert hall setting he would conclude every show the same way: by putting down his mic and singing 'unplugged' – a favorite 'show-stopper' like this one. His voice reached to the back rows of our sold-out, thousand seat, Winnipeg Centennial Concert Hall. [Permit a personal note:] ---- Unable to attend a strictly limited 'meet-and-greet' that followed his Winnipeg show, I was told by a sympathetic 'usher' that “He'll have a limo waiting for him out back.” And I drove past just in time to see him climbing into his Cadillac SUV – which took off right in front of me! I followed the few blocks to Winnipeg's most prestigious hotel and as he emerged from the limo with his daughter, I approached to say: “Mr. Bennett – that was not merely the best performance by an 83 year old singer – that was the best performance by anyone that I have ever seen.” “Really,” he said, and offered me his hand – warm, and frail, 'like my grandfather's' I remember thinking. I offered him my copy of his autobiography for inscription, and a young assistant offered his 'Sharpie' permanent marker. “No, no,” said Mr. Bennett, reaching into his jacket pocket -- “THIS deserves a better pen.” ---- Is that Carnegie Hall performance of 60 years ago at YouTube? Yes – a “Hi-Def” version posted January 5, 2020 to 167 “views” and 12 thumbs up. This deserves a wider audience, doesn't it?