Notablog

Song of the Day: Golden Girls ("Thank You For Being a Friend"), composed by Andrew Gold, was the main title for this golden television comedy, which starred the late Bea Arthur, the late Rue McClanahan, the late Estelle Getty, and the very much alive Betty White, who, today, turns 90. As crazy and entertaining as ever, perfect in her comic timing, and still laughing it up on such shows as "Hot in Cleveland," the lady is poised for another 90 years! Take a look at the opening of this hilarious show, with its theme music, on YouTube. And Happy Birthday, Betty!

Posted by chris at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Posted to Music

Song of the Day: One Life to Live has featured many lovely opening and closing themes throughout its 40+ years on television, with words and music being contributed by composers as varied as Dave Grusin and Lee Elwood Holdridge. I started watching the ABC soap opera back in 1992, when I was hooked on a storyline about an out gay teenage character named Billy Douglas (played by Ryan Phillippe). I watched the show right through its last episode on Friday the 13th of January 2012, when it ended a 43+ year run on daytime television. Listen to these incarnations of its catchy theme: Peobo Bryson, a 1980s memory, one from the early 1990s, a 1991 incarnation, a turn of the century version, and a vocal performed by Kassie DePaiva (who played Blair Cramer). Today may start the The Revolution, but I say: Viva Life (in fact, some characters/actors will move to "General Hospital")!

Posted by chris at 09:19 AM | Permalink | Posted to Music

Song of the Day: Kiss From a Rose, words and music by Seal, went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, when it was released as the second single from the soundtrack to the 1995 film, "Batman Forever," starring Val Kilmer as the Caped Crusader. Nothing more appropriate on the day in which Pasadena, California hosts the amazing Tournament of Roses Parade. Take a look at this haunting, melodic song in two different music videos: the original and the one directed by Joel Schumacher, which is interspersed with clips from the movie.

Posted by chris at 05:33 PM | Permalink | Posted to Music

Song of the Day: Stomp!, written by Louis Johnson, George Johnson, Valerie Johnson, and Rod Temperton, was a #1 Dance Hit in 1980 for the Brothers Johnson. The funky track was heard everywhere, on the radio, on television, in film, and even on the original Jane Fonda's Workout Record. Listen to the original 12" dance single. And Stomp your way into a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

Posted by chris at 07:17 PM | Permalink | Posted to Music

Song of the Day: We Are Santa's Elves, words and music by Johnny Marks, is performed by the Elf Orchestra (actually Videocraft Chorus) on the classic stop-motion animation Rankin-Bass TV special, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Check out the song scene on YouTube. And a Merry Christmas to one and all!

Posted by chris at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Posted to Music

Song of the Day: Zanzibar, words and music by the prolific Billy Joel, is a selection from the #1 1979 Grammy Award winning Album of the Year, "52nd Street," a paean to that Manhattan Street known for its legendary mid-twentieth century jazz scene (including "Swing Street," between 5th and 6th Avenues). The recording features changing rhythms and hues, and scintillating solo work by the late, great jazz horn player, Freddie Hubbard. The second section of Hubbard's solo is faded out on the original album, but an "unfaded" version of the song is a highlight of the boxed set, "My Lives." Check out the original album version on YouTube, a "demo" version, and the "unfaded" version too, where Hubbard's extended solo is utterly stupendous. Whew! This is the first "Z" song to appear on "My Favorite Songs," and any tune that mentions "jazz guitar" gets extra points from me any time!

Posted by chris at 04:38 PM | Permalink | Posted to Music

Song of the Day: See The USA in Your Chevrolet, words and music by Leon Corday and Leon Carr, is one of the most memorable commercial jingles, highlighted today on the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet, a classic American car. Check out the equally classic Dinah Shore commercial!

Posted by chris at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Posted to Film / TV / Theater Review | Music

Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, made its debut in the 1937 Broadway smash, "Babes in Arms," which featured the choreography of George Balanchine. This famous Rodgers and Hart song, performed in the original musical by Mitzi Green, spoofs New York high society. The song can be found in several films as well: as background music in the 1939 film version, performed by Lena Horne in the 1948 film "Words and Music" (YouTube clip) and by Frank Sinatra in the 1957 film, "Pal Joey," singing to Rita Hayworth (YouTube clip). Check out these other clips: Tommy Dorsey (with singer Edythe Wright), Sophie Tucker, Ol' Blue Eyes again, swingin' at Caesar's Palace in 1978 and with Ella Fitzgerald, and, most recently, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, featured on "Duets II," the highest debuting #1 Billboard album by the oldest living artist. Bennett may have turned 85 in August, but on this date, 125 years ago, the Statue of Liberty opened in New York Harbor. "This chick is a champ" with a lamp, which is why she's getting a Fireworks Celebration Tonight! Happy 125th birthday, Lady Liberty!

Posted by chris at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Posted to Music | Remembrance

Song of the Day: West Side Story ("Dance at the Gym"), music by the incomparable Leonard Bernstein, can be heard in the score to the Oscar-wnning blockbuster film adaptation of the great Broadway musical. The film was released to theaters 50 years ago today. This particular composition was a highlight from a stupendous New York Philharmonic performance of the grand soundtrack in sync with the grand film, which took place at Avery Fisher Hall last month. What a poetically appropriate tribute, since the movie's opening sequence was filmed on the streets where Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts now stands, and Bernstein himself was the Philharmonic's long-time music director. The film soundtrack, boasting Bernstein's music and the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, spent 54 weeks at #1. Enjoy this YouTube moment of this classic dance sequence, Latin rhythms and instrumentation conjoined to the steamy choreography of the great Jerome Robbins.

Posted by chris at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Posted to Film / TV / Theater Review | Music

Song of the Day: Moves Like Jagger, words and music by Adam Levine, Benjamin Levin (Benny Blanco), Ammar Malik, and Shellback, was recorded by Maroon 5, and features a guest appearance by Christina Aguilera. I confess: One listen to this catchy #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit, which references Rolling Stones lead vocalist Mick Jagger, and I can't get it the hell out of my brain or my feet! Check out the Official Music Video and a live performance of the song on "The Voice."

Posted by chris at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Posted to Music

Song of the Day: I Fall to Pieces, words and music by Garland Perry "Hank" Cochran and Harlan Perry Howard, was the first #1 Country Hit by the immortal Patsy Cline. It was released on 30 January 1961, three days after Dr. Franklin Edward Kameny submitted a petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court to review his case, Kameny v. Brucker, which protested the U.S. Army's unjust dismissal of him in 1957 from his position as an astronomer in the Army Map Service for being gay. He lost the case, but not the cause. Frank was an indefatigable warrior, a great trailblazer, on behalf of individual rights. I corresponded with him a few times over the years; he may have been known for his thunderous style, but I was always warmed by his gentility. So it's no wonder that many of us fall to pieces over his passing at the age of 86 on 11 October 2011. Check out Patsy Cline on YouTube.

Posted by chris at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Music | Remembrance | Sexuality

Fifty years ago today, New York Yankees right fielder Roger Maris hit his 61st home run of the season, setting what was, then, the single-season home run record. 61 in '61. It was long said, however, that this achievement would always be tarnished by an asterisk, since the 61st home run came on the final day of a 162-game regular season schedule, whereas The Babe had hit his record-setting 60th home run in the old 154-game regular season schedule.

All the more reason to add a few asterisks to the "records" set by those players who "surpassed" Maris in the Steroid Era.

Be that as it may, here's a Salute to one of the Great M&M boys, as the Yankees win their first 2011 post-season game, tonight, beating Detroit, 9-3.

Viva Maris! And Go Yanks!

Posted by chris at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Posted to Sports

Song of the Day: I Am A Paleontologist, words and music by Danny Weinkauf of the Brooklyn-based band, They Might Be Giants, is my nod to current TV commercial fare, which hasn't lost its knack for using catchy tunes. The original full-length track can be found on the band's album, Here Comes Science, but it has gotten its biggest airplay, I suspect, from this TV commercial for Payless Shoesource (clip at that link). The original music video, with its animated dinosaur bones, is a lot of fun. I don't know if Payless is a sponsor of tonight's Primetime Emmy Awards, but they get Thumbs (Halluces?) Up as our annual mini-TV-oriented-music tribute draws to a close.

Posted by chris at 06:55 PM | Permalink | Posted to Film / TV / Theater Review | Music

Song of the Day: ILGWU (Look for the Union Label) (YouTube link), music by Malcolm Dodds, lyrics by Paula Green, gave us the best television commercial song from an American labor union, in my humble opinion, even if it was parodied occasionally. My enjoyment of the song was most likely colored by the fact that my mom worked in the garment industry her whole life; it appeals to the proletarian in all of us.

Posted by chris at 09:30 PM | Permalink | Posted to Film / TV / Theater Review | Music | Politics (Theory, History, Now)