This is awesome! Steve Lawrence and Sammy Davis sing a medley of ‘not even nominated’ songs at the 1979 Oscars. So much better than the drivel of Hollywood awards ceremonies now.
Tag Archives: music
Vic Damone
One time when my dad was inebriated (which could have been one of virtually any night – or day – during a decades-long period) he told me that he thought there were “five great voices” out there. He began listing them: Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett and…he was stumbling around trying to remember the fifth and finally he added “Vic Damone!”
Totally agree. And I think this version of this song is magnificent. I seem to recall it was used in one of the early episodes (maybe the first) of “Mad Men,” when we saw what a cad Don Draper was.
In Lieu of New Year’s Resolutions
In lieu, I give you this very touching song – from The Big Broadcast of 1938. For people of a certain age – my age, for example – we grew up knowing this song only as a melody played when Bob Hope came out onto a stage. But this is truly a lovely break-up song, so I offer it as my adieu to 2017. Bittersweet.
Take on Me
The Meaning of “Eres Tu” in the Age of Nixon
It seems to me there is enough to analyse and criticize and investigate and report about President Trump and his administration without resorting to truly absurd stretches, such as this one. Despacito is a gorgeous song, and it is successful now for that reason. To suggest some deep relevance based on current affairs strikes me as a desperate attempt to tie virtually everything to Trump. Why not ask about the success of Eres Tu (an even more beautiful song, in my view) and its connection to President Richard Nixon, or even La Bamba and the importance of the Eisenhower administration in bringing about its popularity?
Seriously, media? Pull it together…and listen to this lovely song from my childhood, while enjoying the lead singer’s cute gapped teeth and her geeky, hairy bandmates. Clip is from the 1973 Eurovision song contest (it came second and it was cheated!):
Cranes
If you’re not watching The Americans you are a fool, and not just because it is the best show on TV. It is also a show that uses music magnificently. Last night’s episode featured Mark Bernes’ song, Cranes. Absolutely haunting. (Note: It says ‘with English subtitles,’ and yet, I see no subtitles in any language. That said, I know the song is about World War II Soviet soldiers being reincarnated into cranes.)
Because…
Stefano Ragni
When I study in Italy, this man is my music teacher. I could not be luckier — attending his lessons is worth the cost of the trip to Italy and then some. (Yes, his last name does mean ‘sp*ders,’ the creatures of which I am so afraid I cannot even write out the word. This tells you how marvelous he is — normally I could not sit in the same room with someone so named. But he is worth it.) Please enjoy this clip in which he discusses Lutheran music, the Reformation, Bach, and in which he uses my absolute favourite hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God, as a point of discussion.
Dame Vera Lynn
Today is Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday. I have posted about it on my other website (where I have also started posting letters, et cetera, again): please visit, and if you’re going to watch the Vera Lynn video, have some Kleenex handy.
New Years Wishes and Buon Capodanno
Friends, readers, please enjoy this New Year’s Eve greeting, brought to you by ABBA. May your 2017 be as excellent as ABBA’s lyrics. Not being ironic – I believe they were among the best pop music lyricists in modern times. And they weren’t even writing in their own languages. I love all the Scando-angst in this song, and the Bergman-esque angles in the video. (On another note, what I wouldn’t give for a dress like the one Agneta is wearing.)