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Song of the Day: It's Easy to Say, composed by the magnificent Henry Mancini, with lyrics by Robert Wells, is featured in the 1979 film "10," where it is performed hauntingly and lovingly on piano by Dudley Moore and by Julie Andrews and Moore as well (full-length movie versions at those links). One of my all-time favorite Mancini compositions, take a look at a live version with Mancini and Moore and another played by the composer himself. The Academy Award-nominated song was performed on the 1980 telecast by Moore and singer Helen Reddy. And so ends my annual mini-movie music tribute.

Posted by chris at 06:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Film / TV / Theater Review | Music

Song of the Day: Wives and Lovers, a classic Burt Bacharach-Hal David hit, is one of the great "exploitation" songs in film history. Paramount Pictures asked the gents to write a promotional song that shared the title of the 1963 movie, even though the song is never actually heard in the film. Check out the great Grammy-winning waltz-time version by swinging, singing immortal Jack Jones (YouTube clip at that link) and the Jack Jones disco version with the sexy jazz sax solo, as well as wonderful versions by Nancy Wilson, Julie London, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra and Count Basie, jazz saxophone great Stan Getz, and one of my all-time favorite jazz guitar versions by the legendary Joe Pass playing a 12-stringer.

Posted by chris at 02:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Film / TV / Theater Review | Music

Song of the Day: Can't Fight the Moonlight, written by Diane Warren, is featured in the film "Coyote Ugly." Today begins my mini-tribute to film music, in anticipation of the 82nd Academy Awards to be broadcast this Sunday, March 7, 2010. Performed by LeAnn Rimes, it's a peppy track that's been remixed fabulously for the dance floor as well; check out various versions, including this YouTube moment, this remix and this one too.

Posted by chris at 04:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Film / TV / Theater Review | Music

Song of the Day: Ben-Hur ("Salute for Gratus") [audio clip at that link] is one of the grandest themes composed by Miklos Rozsa for my favorite film, "Ben-Hur." And so, it is fitting to highlight this one, from my favorite soundtrack of all time, on the occasion of my 50th birthday... today!

Posted by chris at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Music

Song of the Day: Improvisation #2 features the immortal gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, the centennial of whose birth (on 23 January 1910) we celebrate. Though well known for his work with the great jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli in the magnificent swing ensemble, Quintette du Hot Club de France, this particular track shows off the master stylist in a solo setting. Check out a YouTube excerpt, even if the video cuts the last part of the original recording. Long live Django! And a belated Happy New Year to All!

Posted by chris at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Music | Remembrance

Song of the Day: Merry Christmas, Baby, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore, is a bluesy celebration of today's holiday. Take a listen (or a look) to versions by Kenny Burrell, B.B. King, and Bruce Springsteen. And a Merry Christmas to one and all!

Posted by chris at 06:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Music

The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies has undergone a number of changes over the past year, not the least of which has been geographic! The office moved from Port Townsend, Washington to Reno, Nevada. Now, all business, subscription, and editorial queries should be directed to:

The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies
P. O. Box 230052
Brooklyn, New York 11223

Yes, Brooklyn! :)

Our Spring 2009 issue is obviously very late, but it should be out to subscribers early in the new year. Subscription databases are being updated, so if you've made an inquiry that has gone unanswered for a while, be patient. A batch of materials and letters went out this week, and more will go out in the coming weeks. If you'd like a subscription to the journal, fill out this form and mail it in today!

The next issue will complete our Tenth Anniversary celebration. It features a special symposium on Ayn Rand and Friedrich Nietzsche, with special guest editor Lester Hunt. Essays by Hunt, Stephen R. C. Hicks, Peter Saint-Andre, Roger E. Bissell, and Robert Powell are included.

More information on the issue will be posted here and at the JARS website soon. Stay tuned! And Happy Holidays from your friends and colleagues at The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies.

Posted by chris at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | Posted to Periodicals | Rand Studies

Song of the Day: Inventions (full version at that link) is a composition by the band Maserati. A stand-out from the band's album, Inventions for the New Season, the track has also been creatively remixed. Take a look at two YouTube moments: this clip of a live version from the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia, and this clip from San Antonio, Texas, recorded on 18 October 2009. The latter clip is all the more poignant to watch because it was recorded by the ensemble just weeks before the tragic untimely passing on 8 November 2009 of Brooklyn-based drummer extraordinaire Jerry Fuchs. Fuchs had worked prolifically with such bands as LCD Soundsystem, !!! (pronounced "chk, chk, chk"), and The Juan Maclean. I never met him, but I had heard wonderful things about him from those who knew him. His passionate devotion to his craft is evident in the remarkable musical legacy he has left behind.

Posted by chris at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | Posted to Music | Remembrance

Song of the Day: And the Angels Sing features the music of trumpeter Ziggy Elman and the lyrics of Johnny Mercer, who was born 100 years ago today. The most famous version of this song was recorded by the Benny Goodman Big Band, featuring the sweet vocals of Martha Tilton and a rousing trumpet solo by Elman. In celebration of the centennial of the birth of the Great Mercer, take a look at this YouTube moment of this terrific song.

Posted by chris at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Music | Remembrance

It's like New Year's Eve in the neighborhood right now... because the New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 4 games to 2, to earn their 27th World Series Championship!

CONGRATULATIONS to the greatest franchise in sports history!

Posted by chris at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | Posted to Sports

Last night, the New York Yankees won their 40th American League Championship Pennant, beating the LA Angels of Anaheim four games to two. The World Series opens in Da Bronx on Wednesday, October 28th against the Philadelphia Phillies. Yuck.

I can't stand the Phillies. Anyway.

I'll be root, root, rooting for the home team! Go Yankees!!!

Posted by chris at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | Posted to Sports

Song of the Day: One Step Beyond ("Fear"/"Weird"), composed by Harry Lubin, was the haunting theme music to an equally haunting TV series. Hosted by the elegant John Newland, the series offered dramatizations of real-life tales of the unexplained. These themes were among the spookiest in TV history and this show remains one of my favorite all-time TV series (one of the least typical episodes is the rarely seen docu-style, "The Sacred Mushroom," which is on YouTube; check out parts 1, 2, and 3, the last of which includes the theme music at the end). One day beyond last night's Emmy Awards, which kicked off the new television season officially, listen to audio clips from Lubin's soundtrack and from the ever-popular Ventures.

Posted by chris at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | Posted to Film / TV / Theater Review | Music

My favorite Yankee player just broke the all-time franchise hit record, held by the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, for the past 72 years. Derek Jeter's single in the third inning---his 2,722nd lifetime hit---pulled him ahead of Gehrig, for the lead in all-time Yankee hits. It was a thrill to watch. Even the principal owner, George Steinbrenner, had something nice to say about Jeter: "For those who say today's game can't produce legendary players, I have two words: Derek Jeter. ... As historic and significant as becoming the Yankees' all-time hit leader is, the accomplishment is all the more impressive because Derek is one of the finest young men playing the game today."

Amen.

And, for the record, Jeter added another hit during the game, increasing his franchise record to 2,723 hits. Bravo!

Posted by chris at 01:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | Posted to Sports

This year, as we mark the 8th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11, I have posted the newest installment of my annual series, "Remembering the World Trade Center": "Lenny: Losses and Loves."

It focuses on Lenny Trerotola and tells the story of the losses he endured, and the loves that have sustained him.

For those who would like to read previous installments in the series, here is an index:

2001: As It Happened
2002: New York, New York
2003: Remembering the World Trade Center: A Tribute
2004: My Friend Ray
2005: Patrick Burke, Educator
2006: Cousin Scott
2007: Charlie: To Build and Rebuild
2008: Eddie Mecner, Firefighter

Posted by chris at 07:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | Posted to Remembrance