A few posts ago, I was pondering the popularity of the extremely cool acapella group Straight No Chaser and came across a website full of information, song samples, and discography. I also discovered that a new song-filled recording is about to drop. And quite remarkably this little group was organized on a college campus just to our west.
Check out this video that brings back great memories of performing with America’s Finest Singing Machine! Just don’t ask me if it is better performed by a chorus of 80 or a small ensemble… just a bit biased.
On today’s beautiful, sunny, 40+ degree weather I did enjoy the company of my song filled ipod. However, I found an even better use for it. While cleaning the beauty shop, I had it plugged in and it made the time zoom by. Before I had finished, an hour had passed and it seemed like no time at all! The power of music… it is able to transport you to a “long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” or to “Space: the final frontier.” It can also take you to Neverland, Narnia, Krypton, Hogwarts, or Missitucky.
My ipod library is not limited only to film scores or Broadway shows. I do enjoy some popular music pas and present. For every selection from my vast collection of John Williams masterworks (from the 6 Star Warsmovies (even the prequels), the four Indiana Jones movies (have ‘em all), Superman, Hook, E.T., etc) and James Bond scores there is some Jason Mraz (I think I’ve read about him somewhere?) with some Elvis, Beatles, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, and Motown classics thrown in for good measure.
Of course when the (in my humble opinion) best recording of “This is the Moment” popped up… it was NOT the Hoff’s butchering, I had to sing along as I walked the sidewalk. Yep… one of those. I get carried away but still focus on little things like cars at intersections. I did feel like the pied piper on a recent walk as three dogs began following me until I turned around and they went safely back to their home. And, yes I did stop as a I came upon a school bus which was on its way back from the morning kindergarten return trip
Twenty-five years ago, a group of the best-known pop, country, and r&b artists gathered at a recording studio following the American Music Awards to record a song that would raise money to help the millions of needy people in Africa. Singers like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie. Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, Harry Belafonte, Willie Nelson, and stars like Dan Aykroyd in all 43 superstars from numerous genres were part of U.S.A for Africa.
Recently, a large group of today’s artists and some who have been around for a bit, gathered at the same recording studio to record an updated version of “We are the World” (including a hip-hop bit) to benefit the relief efforts of the devastation caused by the Haitian earthquakes. I don’t see many repeaters aside from Janet, Tito, and Randy Jackson. Janet will be performing the solo parts recorded by her late brother. Today’s pop stars like Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Celine Dion, and Rob Thomas joined with Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick, Jr., Josh Groban plus Faith Evans, Gladys Knight and Vince Vaughn? An astonishing 78 artists on one recording… the ego in the studio must have been great. Hopefully not only will the recording be sucessful artistically but also help the relief effort in Haiti.
For those of you too young to remember the original or for those of us who have not seen the once (now twice) in a lifetime gathering here it is. The new version is set to be released during the Olympics on NBC.
Call it my resolution for the year if you want but it seems that I have been walking a bit lately. Last week being my vacation, I walked a lot. Monday on the zoo excursion I’m sure was good for my daily walk (like to get in a mile or two a day). This Monday was my longest one yet. The weather was still nice so I grabbed my ipod and headed north along 49 and turned down a country road, walked to the next road going west and eventually walked a good country block heading up River Street back into town (that was a good 4 miles). I then continued walking through town in a roundabout way to eventually end up at the post office. Then back home. I must have gone at least 5 miles.
Tuesday was another story entirely. This time, I headed south on 49 and got about a mile out of town when I decided that it was just crazy cold. I then turned around and stopped by my oldest brother’s house to go in and warm up a bit before going home.
The long walks really are helped with my ipod mix. I have it on shuffle so that when an album that I really like comes on, I will switch it to play straight through. Before you know it, an hour and a half has passed. Particularly good when I downloaded one of my favorites that I had on cassette (there it is again) back in the day. You know one that you play continuously, rewind, fast forward, and then get it caught and eaten and there you go, no more tape. Oh, the recording: the 20th Anniverary Recording of the London version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Paul Nicholas as Jesus, Claire Moore as Mary Magdalene, and Keith Burns as Judas Iscariot. My favorite piece has to be “Could We Start Again, Please?” Upon hearing the song, it quickly became a favorite… maybe that’s why the cassette got eaten. Of course, another highlight is “Herod’s Song.” The entire recording is good for at least an hour and a half hike.
Hopefully, the temperature outside improves from the 19 degrees of today quickly so I can take another long walk instead of the walk to and from work.
Years ago, I came across a cassette tape of the Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan soundtrack. I loved it until I realized that it contained maybe a sampling of the entire score at best. A few weeks ago, I learned that a remastered edition with the entire score with all the musical cues had recently become available. I had to get it and I got it in the mail last Friday. EVERYTHING FROM THE MOVIE IS ON IT! Including the take of the first time that a character other than James Tiberius Kirk delivered the immortal “Space… the final frontier” soliloquy. If you know who it was don’t ruin it for those who are not in the know.
Following the disaster that was the overblown, overbudget, snooze fest that is Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Paramount Pictures demanded a totally new picture that would compete with Star Wars and hopefully win over a few of its diehard fans. This even included a desire to scrap the music from the previous film (although many of the themes would later be used in subsequent films and television series including the Main Title and Klingon themes). Ingenue James Horner was eventually chosen to compose TWOK.
There is not one bit of music in the score that does not stir. The Main Theme combines Alexander Courage’s fanfare from the television series with a heroic march for Admiral Kirk plus a breathtaking nautical theme for the Enterprise, herself. Captain Spock is given a mystical tune on the panflute that really invokes a sense of wonder into the character. A menacing piece led by the French Horn adds even more villany to my favorite Trek villain. (Where was I in 1982? Ok… so I was 9. Or better yet, where was I in 1963 when the character of Khan Noonien Singh was created? I was -10 years old.) ”The Battle in the Mutara Nebula” is an 8 minute 7 second masterpiece of space battle excitement.
I have been asked at which point I would introduce novices to the world of Star Trek. I always point to my introduction. Although the plot is a sequel to a then twenty year old episode, my favorite theme of the friendship between two heros is what draws me to it time and again: “You are my commanding officer; you are also my friend. I gave been and forever shall be yours.” So says Captain Spock as he relinquishes command of the U.S.S. Enterprise once again to Admiral James Tiberius Kirk after a little training cruise runs into a wee bit o’ trouble. I could sit and watch this movie once a day, every day. Twice on my days off.
Our two day Chicagoland adventure began yesterday around 1PM when Mare and I hopped onto the ‘pike and headed west. It was amazing to me how fast we flew there. We arrived at our hotel around 3PM (according to my chauffeur’s cell phone time… she did not realize that her device automatically accounted for the change in time zones).
Our journey was seemingly made even more quickly with our listening variety. I brought along my Carousel Score. Mary I believe said that she played the part of Cousin Nettie Flower in a production of one of my favorite musicals back in the early part of the decade. REALLY! WHERE WAS I when they staged it?! Then, we popped in some Josh Groban and by that time we were very close. So…. we let “Vera” guide us the rest of the way. Little to no traffic. Surprisingly, very little construction on our side of the highway. A very fun, easy trip.
Coming back, Megan joined us on the return trip. We made a slight detour to South Bend and took a drive-by tour of the perimeter of Notre Dame. Since it was rather rainy and a home football game, a more close up tour was out of the question. We did get a glimpse of the golden dome and Touchdown Jesus. Very fun!
One of the most interesting music selections in Mare’s catalog was a CD of Beatles hits recorded by some interesting actors. Imagine Robin Williams and Jim Carey giving voice to “Come Together” and “I am the Walrus”. There were lots of very interesting Beatles classics including a strangely bluesy rendition of “Hard Day’s Night” by an even more interesting actress choice who none of us could figure out was Goldie Hawn. But no recording of the classic William Shatner take on “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” A very fun if at times a bit strange tribute.
All in all, a very fun trip on the road. Stay tuned for my take on the big fun in the city.
The final selection on the Beatles tribute was by the best Bond that seemed a bit odd because he stated his dislike of the Fab Four in Goldfinger.
This morning, after she got out of preschool, my four-year old niece brought home a song to sing called “I Wish I Were A Juicy Green Grape.” Sydney ran to me and asked me to sing it. It is set to the tune of “If You’re Happy And You Know It.” Really, the exercise in song parody was not an easy one. My dad kept trying and sounded like he was singing The Oscar Meyer weiner song. See if you can make the melody fit the words”
OH, I wish I were a juicy green grape.
OH, I wish I were a juicy green grape.
When squeeze me
I will squirty
Onto everyone’s shirty
Oh, I wish I were a juicy green grape.
Of course, this presupposes that you know the tune and words of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” In elementary school, I remember having such an exercise in which I came up with a parody of “White Christmas” entitled “(I’m Dreaming of a) Cheese Pizza.” How adorable.
This morning before leaving for work, I was listened to our local Classic Rock station to see if I could listen and win. Thursday is the Three Songs with a Theme in which you listen to the three songs in their ENTIRETY. I listened to the first song then by song two had the solution. While the final song was playing, I put the station’s number up, waiting until the song faded, and hit the talk button. BUSY SIGNAL!? And Mr. Brigle came on and said… “Let’s see if we have a winner.” Sure enough, we had a winner. Someone must have been a little quicker on the draw than I.
OK… test your musical expertise and tell me what these three songs have in common. I can offer no more than your name and answer to be posted on my blog… but isn’t that reward enough?
“Kung Fu Fightin’”
“Come On, Eileen”
“Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”
In the past I have won a few prizes: a gift certificate to an area coffee shop, and two CDs (the soundtrack to one of the Scream movies and one by Daryl Hall and John Oates that must have been their attempt at a comeback). My mother won a phone-in contest years ago. Her prize? A trip on the Jet Express that ended at the end of the season. The end of the season being that very weekend. Unfortunately, she was not able to use the prize.
Today seems to be one of those moments when it appears that Beatlemania will abount however briefly. Not only is The Beatles: Rock Band hitting gaming systems the world over but many of the greatest albums are being reissued as remastered CDs. Abbey Road, Revolver, Rubber Soul, and the quintessential White Album are just four of the titles dropping today.
While I was cleaning the shop today, I glanced at a Parent and Child magazine and one of the cover articles pondered….”Why Kids Love the Beatles”. I don’t know how many parents today introduce their children to the Fab Four but I know of at least one father whose youngest can rip off lyrics during a game with the best of them… oven obscure songs that flew right over my head. I agree wholeheartedly with most of the article. I believe that the longevity is due in large part to the creative genius of Lennon and McCartney who penned some of the most memorable songs imaginable that still hold up 40+ years after the groups break up. Classic melodies and words from ballads like “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude,” and “Let It Be” to pop standards such as “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “Penny Lane” to the wildly odd lyrics of “Octopus’ Garden” and “I Am the Walrus (goo-goo-ga-joob)” are just a few of the hits produced from the Lads from Liverpool.
The article went on to give a small bio of the four gents. Who was the Cute Beatle, the Quiet Beatle, the Brainy Beatle, and the Sad Beatle? I did not list them in order they appear in the articel so if you decide to cheat you better make sure you read the question carefully. Not only did John and Paul contribute to the songwriting but George and Ringo wrote some classics as well.
No matter what kind of personal lives the quartet lived outside the stage or studio, one thing remains undeniably clear. Even after 40 years, millions are still listening to, singing along with, and commemorating the world’s greatest rock band. I’m not sure if The Beatles will hold up to classic composers like Bach and Beethoven 100 years from now and I don’t think I will be around to find out. Plus, we had an Elvis themed game night… why not a Beatles? At least we can introduce one of our friends to the classics who shall remain anonymous… unless they care to comment.
One of the many things I look forward to at the beginning of the school year is to check out the fresh faces of the new faculty of my alma mater, particularly in the spot that seems to be a revolving door as of late. Let me say that from experience and word of mouth the previous band director will not be missed. However, the new director had to jump in quickly as days after her arrival, she had to get the band ready for the Festival of Flags parade. A group of 20 marching down North Michigan Avenue doing the best they could under the circumstances.
Reading the new instructor’s bio in the hometown scandal sheet makes me think that she is very ambitious and hopefully will stick around long enough to bring some of these goals to fruition. Miss Reardon is a Sandusky native who graduated from UT. She plays the trombone, cello, piano, and sings. Very well versed. One of her goals is to bring musical theatre back to the EHS stage. AWESOME! It has been several years since Emily and I (can’t remember who the dramatic director was) brought the “Nifty Fifties” to the stage. More of a revue of car tunes strung together by a flimsy plot, but fun.
