Song of the Day: Time Remembered [YouTube clip at that link] is a magnificent composition written and performed by the timeless jazz pianist Bill Evans. It is posted in remembrance, today, of two members of the New York Yankees family who passed away last week: "The Voice of God" Bob Sheppard and the Boss, George Steinbrenner.
Song of the Day: Baby It's Cold Outside features the words and music of the great Frank Loesser, who was born 100 years ago today. This Academy Award winner was heard in the film, "Neptune's Daughter," but it always makes me think of the Christmas season. It has been recorded by many artists. Take a look on YouTube at versions by Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark, Dean Martin, and Natalie Cole and James Taylor.
Song of the Day: The Lady in My Life, words and music by Rod Temperton, is one of my all-time favorite ballads by Michael Jackson, who passed away one year ago today. This sensuously rhythmic song is featured on the biggest selling album of them all, "Thriller." Listen to the track on YouTube, in remembrance of a talented soul, gone too soon. Also, take a look at a really nice KurtHugoSchneider medley of Michael Jackson tunes.
Song of the Day: More Than You Know, music by Vincent Youmans, lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu, debuted in the Broadway musical "Great Day" and it has been recorded by countless artists. I enjoyed a version performed by Barbra Streisand, who sang it in the film "Funny Lady." Listen to audio clips of Streisand and jazz greats Anita O'Day and Dave Brubeck and take a look at a YouTube clip featuring Judy Garland. And tonight, celebrate the legacy that is Broadway and watch the Tony Awards!
Spring is here (as of 1:32 pm EDT tomorrow), and that means the Spring issue of The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies is here too!
Ah, if only publication schedules were as reliable as the Vernal Equinox. As reported here, the journal moved from Port Townsend, Washington to Reno, Nevada, and now all operations are out of Brooklyn, New York. I've had a few bumps in the road of my own to deal with, but I'm happy to report that the new issue is finally at the printer. This is our long-awaited symposium on Ayn Rand and Friedrich Nietzsche, and we should be getting the issue off to subscribers within the next two weeks. And yes, it is a Spring issue, even if our year is off a bit.
Readers will be treated to a provocative discussion of the relationship between the two thinkers, featuring the following essays and authors:
Egoism in Nietzsche and Rand - Stephen R. C. Hicks
Egoism in Nietzsche and Rand: A Somewhat Different Approach - Lester Hunt
Ronald E. Merrill and the Discovery of Ayn Rand’s Nietzschean Period - Adam Reed
Nietzsche, Rand, and the Ethics of the Great Task - Peter Saint-Andre
Will the Real Apollo Please Stand Up? Rand, Nietzsche, and the Reason-Emotion Dichotomy - Roger E. Bissell
Embracing Power Roles Naturally: Rand’s Nietzschean Heroes and Villains - Robert Powell
Abstracts for the new issue appear here; contributor biographies can be found here.
Our publication schedule will be getting back to normal in the coming months. A few back issues are still available, though hard copies are going fast, and we are working hard to digitize our oldest issues for the benefit of our readers. Most importantly, our subscription databases are up to date, and we encourage new subscribers to take advantage of our new Paypal Express (see our subscription page).
Subscribe today!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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