Even Educated Fleas Love Him! Happy Birthday, Cole!

June 9 is a red letter day for American music - it's the birthday of composer-lyricist Cole Porter! I'm a big fan of the Great American Songbook and Cole Porter is one of my favorite composers. His lyrics are so clever, and as my husband likes to joke - his slaw's not bad, either!

Here's a snippet from one of his many hits: 'Every Time We Say Goodbye'

When you're near
There's such an air
of Spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere
Begin to sing about it
There's no love song finer
But how strange the change
From major to minor
Every time we say goodbye

Of course, reading the lyrics doesn't really show the brilliance of the song, but Rod Stewart does a nice version on his 'The Great American Songbook' album. The Ella Fitzgerald songbook series also features several of Porter's greats, including 'Easy to Love'. And any singer who performs standards includes one or more of Porter's works - and then, we can't forget 'Kiss Me, Kate' the highly entertaining musical based on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew - the point of all this being, you don't have to look far or listen long to hear a little Cole Porter.

And when you're in New York, you can enjoy Cole Porter in a more intimate manner by having a drink within reach of his piano; the Steinway permanently resides in the lobby of the Waldorf=Astoria.* You can gaze at the piano while thinking of the intricate rhymes in 'You're the Top' - after all, who else could smoothly combine references to all these in one song: Mahatma Gandhi, Napoleon Brandy, Louvre Museum, Colosseum, Waldorf salad, Berlin ballad, Mae West's shoulder . . .

And here's the perfect birthday cake to go with the piano - it's from Jean Marie's Pattisserie in Great Neck, NY. I haven't visited Jean Marie's, or Great Neck for that matter, but a friend tells me their Napoleons are heavenly, so I'm sure the piano cake is quite yummy! Mr. Porter would probably compose a quick ditty about it!

Finally, if you're in the mood for a little YouTube, check out this wonderful rendition of 'You're the Top' as sung by Diana Rigg.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05pAP1kQ_JM&feature=fvsr

Or this original recording of Cole Porter himself from 1934:



Happy Birthday, Mr. Porter, and thanks for the songs!

*not a typo, the - has been replaced with the = , perhaps to stop people saying, "meet me at the hyphen"!

Happy Monday + Quiz Answers!

I hope you're having a great Monday - the sun is out here and Spring seems imminent. And some would say it's about time! Here are the answers to yesterday's television theme song quiz:

1. Til the one day when the lady met this fellow, and they knew that it was much more than a hunch
   This is perhaps the easiest question on the quiz - the answer is The Brady Bunch. We won't mention the recurring squabble that possibly nixed The Today Show reunion last week . . .
   
   


2. Their house is a museum, when people come to see 'um
   The next line might help here: "They really are a scre-um . . ." The Addams Family, of course. Based on characters created by Charles Addams, this show was pretty clever (or at least it seemed that way to me watching it in reruns as a kid). I still like the finger clicks ~snap~snap.
   
   
   


3. In West Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days
   Will Smith fans may recognize this as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme, sung by Smith himself. Who could have predicted his move from rapper-turned sitcom star to Oscar-nominated actor? Now that's jiggy . . . or do I mean fresh?
   
   


4. Hills that is. Swimmin' pools, movie stars.
   Another easy one - at least if you're my age. The Beverly Hillbillies seemed to be in syndication forever . . . even as a kid this show was too dumb to watch, but somehow you watched it anyway. Great theme song, though!
   
   


5. Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna go when they come for you?
   This is the theme from COPS - a show no one admits watching, yet it's in its 22nd season!
   
   


6. Set a course for adventure, your mind on a new romance.
   Did you recognize this line from The Love Boat theme? It was sung by Jack Jones and written by Paul Williams - how '70s is that?
   
   
   
7. They laugh alike, they talk alike. At times they even walk alike.
   This is from The Patty Duke Show - which was a staple on TVLand in the early days. Trivia Note: Patty Duke was once married to John Astin from The Addams Family! Perhaps it didn't work out because he liked hot dogs and she preferred Crepe Suzette . . .
   
   
   
8. Rain and wind and weather. Hell-bent for leather . . .
   Rawhide - 'nuff said.
   
   
   
9. Come and knock on our door. We've been waiting for you. Where the kisses are hers and hers and his.
   Picture John Ritter/Jack Tripper prat-falling over an ottoman and you've got the answer: Three's Company.
   
   
   
10. So let's make the most of this beautiful day. Since we're together we might as well say . . .
    Pardon me while I change into my indoor shoes - oh, and, the answer is Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.
    
    
    Feeling up to answering the bonus questions?
    
    
11. Ground floor perfumery, stationery and leather goods
    This British show has been shown continuously on PBS stations for decades, while in the UK it is not popular at all . . . perhaps it's the same factor that causes German television stations to show Hogan's Heroes and Dallas? Regardless, the show is Are You Being Served? and you either love it or can't bear to watch it at all.
    
    
    
12. Well, now, take down your fishin' pole, and meet me at The Fishin' Hole. We may not get a bite all day, but don't you rush away.
    Finally, these are the lyrics from The Andy Griffith Show theme - who knew it wasn't just whistling?
    

Thanks for joining me on this television theme quiz - I'd love to hear your comments about the shows or their themes!

The Queen of Sheba Returns - with a Harp!

What's better than one harp? Fourteen harps. This past weekend I saw (and heard!) 14 harps played by some of the most talented young harpists in the country. It was a performance of The American Youth Harp Ensemble, based in Richmond, Virginia. The AYHE is internationally known, and has performed throughout Europe and the US - including performances at the White House and Carnegie Hall and appearances on public radio and television.


Their music is amazing. The holiday concert, entitled "Harp! The Herald Angels Play!", included traditional harp pieces, jazzy renditions of familiar favorites like The Pink Panther theme and Scott Joplin's Entertainer, and Christmas standards like Carol of the Bells which seemed to be played by a complete orchestra.

One song I particularly liked was Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. It's one of those songs that's familiar, but you possibly can't name it. (Listen to a snippet here.) The song is from Handel's Solomon oratorio, and captures the excitement of the Queen's visit to King Solomon. This painting from the National Gallery imagines her departure. She brought the wise King great riches, including several tons of gold, but, the verdict is out as to whether she's the romantic subject of the Song of Solomon . . .

I think Handel himself would have approved of AYHE's rendition. It was joyful, energetic, and beautiful. If you have the opportunity to attend an American Youth Harp Ensemble concert, you should! You'll enjoy the wonderful music and perhaps see the harp in a whole new light.

I'm off to listen to a little Handel while I wrap presents - three guesses which songs!

Things for People Who Don't Like Things

Christmas Music performed by pop stars! Obviously for people who don't like Christmas or music . . . but, who must love the singers. Only a fan of them could appreciate their renditions of holiday classics that sound amazingly like the songs that made the singers famous. I'm from the 'holiday songs are best sung like standards' school. Perhaps I'm a musical victim of circumstances - when I was growing up everyone's parents and grandparents had the same Christmas albums: Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, Mahalia Jackson, Sinatra, etc. These are still some of my favorites.


If you want to perform a song in your own style - write your own song (think Brenda Lee and her Christmas Tree or McCartney's Wonderful Christmas Time or even Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song). What you should not do, however, is ruin a perfectly good song by singing it Your Way, I mean even Sinatra stuck to the basic tunes with his holiday renditions!

What I should do is stop tuning in to the all-holiday radio stations - every time I do I hear the same songs that prove this point (to me, anyway) - James Taylor's depressing Jingle Bells, Bob Seger's Little Drummer Boy (I do like Bob Seger, but he's more of a Night Moves kind of guy . . .), or Martina McBride's duet with Dean Martin (was there ever a stranger combination?).


But what actually prompted this post is Bob Dylan's new Christmas From the Heart. I confess I've never seen the genius in Dylan - perhaps I'm just too young. I think you have to be from his generation to think of his lyrics as poetry. With his most famous songs, though, I can see what appeals to the Woodstock generation. I even like his rendition of Froggy Went a-Courtin', but just a few notes of his nasal, raspy version of Adeste Fideles makes me want to punch the radio - or the myriad reviewers who have praised his album. Who are they kidding? This phenomena is a kind of Bob Dylan Rope-a-Dope - his reputation mesmerizes and no matter what he sings it's hailed as a brilliant addition to his body of work - a musical knock-out, if you will!


Of course, music is personal and there must be people out there who love Christmas music and also the James Taylor or Michael McDonald versions - so enjoy . . . and I'll stick to the songs that say 'Christmas' to me, like:

Any song from Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas score
Nat King Cole The Christmas Song
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Cannon
Andy Williams It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Harry Connick Jr I Pray on Christmas
Mahalia Jackson O Holy Night and One for the little Bitty Baby
Charlotte Church Ding, Dong, Merrily on High
etc.

Hope your weekend is full of the music you love!

Happy Monday

First things . . . first. Here are the answers to our Saturday music quiz:

1. Oh the shark has pretty teeth dear, and he shows them pearly white
   "Mack the Knife" which has a much longer history that I knew. Check out the history from 1920s Germany to Louis Armstrong to The Doors (who knew?) and Sting on Wikipedia
   
2. Love is a temple, love is a higher law
   U2's "One"
   
3. Summer fling, don't mean a thing, bu-ut, oh . . .
   "Summer Nights" from Grease
   
4. Yeah, they were dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'
   You probably knew the song - "Play That Funky Music", but can you remember the band that made it famous? Wild Cherry! Check out their performance on The Midnight Special on this YouTube clip (warning: serious 1970s bare chests and 'dos)
   
5. How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat. Some dance to remember, some dance to forget.
   Perhaps the easiest question on the quiz - the Eagles' "Hotel California". If you were between 14 and 40 in 1977, you probably had this album. Again, lots of info about this rock classic on Wikipedia.
   
6. But when you're walking down the street, and you ain't had enough to eat, the glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
   "On Broadway" - my college suitemates and I played the George Benson version of this thousands of times (it was an old song then, but for some reason we were hooked on it). I still love it, but only that version . . . sorry Drifters, I love all your other songs!
   
7. I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
   Of course this is Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" - were you shocked that he never spent time in prison? Which reminds me, did you know Roy Orbison isn't blind?
   
8. I laughed at all of your jokes, my love you didn't need to coax
   Rod Stewart's "Maggie Mae" - what can you say about Rod Stewart? He's still a great performer and hasn't lost that unique fashion sense . . .
   
   


9. And I got a song to sing, all over this land
   Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer" which was made famous by Trini Lopez or Peter, Paul, and Mary - depending on who you ask. The one thing all music lovers can agree on is that Leonard Nimoy's version is the worst!
   
10. When I come home feelin' tired and beat, I go up where the air is fresh and sweet
    This summertime fave is "Up on the Roof" by The Drifters. It may not be that popular in other parts of the country, but fans of Beach Music in this area can't get enough of the song or of The Drifters. After all, the Carolina Shag is the official state dance of both North Carolina and South Carolina!

I hope you enjoyed the quiz. I'll be out of town the next few days, but will be posting photos from a recent Day Trip to Chinqua-Penn (as seen on A&E's America's Castles - before A&E became the crime/bounty hunter channel). Here's a preview:

"And the boss don't mind sometimes if you act a fool"

Did you recognize that line? It's from Rose Royce's sing-along disco hit 'Car Wash'. It's really funny how songs can stay with us for years and just hearing a single line can bring to mind the song. Of course, many old songs are remade and remixed decades later. (Do you like Christine Aguilera's Car Wash remake? It never hit the Top 40 in the US while the original hit the Number One spot. Maybe the thought of not getting rich or meeting an Indian chief wasn't as appealing in 2004?)


Hearing 'Car Wash' on the radio a few days ago inspired this little music quiz. From the snippet of lyrics provided below, can you name the tune?

1. Oh the shark has pretty teeth dear, and he shows them pearly white
   


2. Love is a temple, love is a higher law
   


3. Summer fling, don't mean a thing, bu-ut, oh . . .
   


4. Yeah, they were dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'
   


5. How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat. Some dance to remember, some dance to forget.
   


6. But when you're walking down the street, and you ain't had enough to eat, the glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
   


7. I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
   


8. I laughed at all of your jokes, my love you didn't need to coax
   


9. And I got a song to sing, all over this land
   


10. When I come home feelin' tired and beat, I go up where the air is fresh and sweet

I hope you enjoyed this little walk through pop music history. Come back Monday for the answers or drop me a line or comment about your favorite music memory. Gotta run, it's a beautiful day and I have a sudden urge to wash my car . . . "work, and work, keep those rags and machines hummin' . . . "

The Song Tree graphic was provided by Dry Icons.

You Light Up My Life

No, this is not a tribute to Debbie Boone's 1977 hit, although I was a big fan of that song at the time. I had the 45 and the sheet music - wow, how old am I?? And, for the record, this is not a photo of my 45 - by the time I was a sophisticated high schooler, I had moved on and, therefore, have no idea where my record ended up.

What is lighting up my life currently is garden lighting. Now that the days are getting shorter and, despite my best efforts at Year Round Interest, my garden will soon be a bit blah, I'm very glad we installed low voltage lighting a few years ago. If you haven't tried it, you must! The low voltage system is a way for non-professionals to add lighting in the garden. Here's a peak at lights that line a walkway leading to the side of our house / basement:

This is a small light that gives off a subtle, cozy glow. (Don't you love the way it illuminates that weed?) Installing a low voltage system is an easy Saturday project - you'll need the lights plus a transformer. Details on figuring out the specifics can be found in this great article from Popular Mechanics. Basically a wire runs from the transformer into your garden and you clip each light into the wire - because it's low voltage you don't need an electrician. Experts seem to agree that you may not be happy long term with inexpensive lights, so check around before purchasing. We have good quality lights and an inexpensive transformer and have had no problems in 5 years - ours come on at dusk and remain on all night and we haven't even replaced any bulbs! We have replaced the transformer once ($35ish at Home Depot). When the transformed is replaced, you don't need to redo the wire/light connections, simply connect the existing wire to the new transformer.

I'm headed outside to look at the lights and try to get this song out of my head . . .

You light up my days,

And fill my nights with song

It can't be wrong . . .