Weekly Music Fest- In Memory

 

These are my dad’s medals from World War 2 and  they need a good clean and polish. My brother brought them because my hubby wants to create an art piece on my dad and he wanted to know what the medals were. ( hubby burns wood and..it’s amazing artistry but that’s for another day). Cathy, over at Curious as a Cathy and the co-host of Monday Music Moves Me was inspired by your Memorial Day. I thought this would be perfect for both my parents since they endured war, my dad as a soldier and my mom as a civilian on the German side…yes, the enemy. My mom could always speak to my dad who always said that war and the horrors of it showed no favourites. Considering my mom was part of the German Resistance and dealt with the Russians afterwards, I think she and her family qualifies.

1. DANNY BOY SUNG BY JOHN MCDERMOTT-2005

John McDermott is a Canadian institution who has a true and genuine appreciation of the soldier. He has sung this song more than once and I love it. I know my dad would have loved to have seen this singer and I was lucky to take my mom and my in-laws to see him. My mom was so overjoyed that she was on the edge of her seat singing with him albeit quietly. My ex’s dad  had a few tears in his eyes because this man knows how to celebrate the soldier. 

2. NEARER MY GOD TO THEE BY THE ANDRE RIOU ORCHESTRA-2020

Well, you all know my mom loved Andre Riou so I had to honour her with this beautiful piece often heard in conjunction with The Titanic since this was the last song played by the ship’s orchestra but Andre decided to play this in honour of the liberation of Holland by the Canadian and British forces of which my dad was a part of. 

3. TEARS IN HEAVEN SUNG BY ERIC CLAPTON-1991

This song was written by Clapton and Will Jennings when Clapton lost his 4 yr old son when his little boy fell from the 53rd floor window. I still shudder thinking about that day I heard of this tragedy but it’s also the first song that came into my mind because of my Uncle Joachim. My Uncle was born in October 1939 and was quite the surprise but loved so much. On December 13, 1940, my mom and her family were all outside when they heard a bomb dropping giving this whistling sound. They knew right away that it was the type of bomb that took the oxygen out of the air, for lack of a better word. Everyone knew to let all the air out of their lungs, bending down, hug their calves until the bomb exploded, all but little Uncle Joachim. My Oma had him in her lap and tried her best to have her son let his air out but it didn’t work. My mom, who was 12 at the time, remembered seeing her little brother slumped in her mom’s arms with blood coming out his mouth, ears, nose and eyes, dead, his lungs had collapsed. My mom said she remembered her mom trying to revive her son and after, for a month, all her mom, my Oma did, was wash his clothes, hang them up, iron them and put them away only to repeat the process. My Oma lost her youngest son to war and then, in 1945, lost her other youngest son, at age 19, to his war wounds along with 176 other young German soldiers in the hospital, on June 30th. Only a few Russian soldiers were left.  This story is one of thousands of mothers who have lost their sons so what better way than to pay tribute to all. 

For my mom and dad...

What I Watched in April

 

Am I a bit late? A bit!?!!  Oh yes, I’m very late with this because it’s lengthy but, I hope you enjoy. My hubby and I must be into war movies the last month as we watched a fair bit so here we go...

1. HART'S WAR- 2005

Set during WW2 in a POW camp starring Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell. Quite good because it's not just a war film but a who done it mystery with intrigue and even a court case. Not your typical POW movie

2. THE FLYING TIGERS-1942

John Wayne plays the head of a small air group trying to fight the Japanese while stationed in China. Funny, they show a quote by Ho Chih Min at the beginning. This film was done before Communism took hold. Quite good if a bit formulaic.

3. I. T. -2015

Pierce Brosnan is a billionaire who hires a nut that knows computers. Dumb, full of holes but ...no, still dumb.

4. RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP-1956

Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster on a sub during WW2. The men wished Lancaster was in charge instead of Gable but Gable may know more than what they give him credit for. Taut, well-acted film worth seeing.

5. HEARTBREAK RIDGE-2010

This is unexpectedly funny and in a good way when Clint Eastwood is sent in to get these kids ship shape for the army. They end up going to Grenada...yeah, Grenada but it was an invasion and men did die. It's a better film than I thought it would be and I love Mario Van Peebles in the role.

6. THE MONUMENT'S MEN-2005

True story based on the disgusting pillage of the Nazis, especially, Goring, of famous art to the amount of millions, not just money but objects. There were a small group of men and one brave woman, who helped retrieve thousands of pieces. The Movie could be better, but still engaging. 

7. THE FOUR FEATHERS-1939

The first of many remakes with this taking place during the Boer war. 4 friends, and the young lady that 2 men love, are ready to enter the war...well, except for one who does not see the reason to go and is given 4 white feathers, which means they think him a coward. When he finds out they are in trouble, he decides  to rescue them but, in disguise. It's well acted if a bit dated since I would never think of giving him a white feather for his decision. Remember, this film was done when Britain still ruled over quite a bit of land in the world. 

8. AUSTRALIA-2003

Nicole Kidman's husband owns a huge ranch in Australia so she must travel, from England, to see what all the fuss is about. She gets driven there by hunky Hugh Jackman. It's set during the war but you also have a meanie who wants the land plus you have an aboriginal kid who is trying not to be sent to a missionary. Its ok but it's all over the place...comedy, action, love story, epic. It never decides what it should be.

9. ENEMY AT THE GATES-2003

Excellent war film during the siege of Stalingrad. There is a famous sharpshooter, played by Jude Law, who becomes a hero to the Russian people. Rachel Weisz plays a fellow shooter and Joseph Fiennes is a reporter who places Jude in the headlines. Ed Harris is the nasty German Sharpshooter sent to take out Jude Law. The dread, bleakness is showcased well and it’s based on a true story.

10. MAN AGAINST THE MOB-1980

TV movie starring George Peppard as a PI with a special task force set up to catch some bad guys during the 1930s. I enjoyed this movie- fun  entertaining and surprising that it was made for TV.

11. VON RYAN'S EXPRESS-1965

Frank Sinatra is a pilot that crashes his plane, in Italy, during WW2. He is sent to a POW camp with  mainly British men. When they find out the US has broken through, they high-tail it out of there. They go through a number of hurdles but end up on a train making sure it goes to Switzerland. The Germans are hot on their trail. I love this move. Action, the cinematography is great when they are on the train. Fun to see.

11. THE CODE or THICK AS THIEVES-2009

Morgan Freeman is a famous thief who take Antonio Banderas under his wing to learn the ropes since Antonio shows promise. Meanwhile, the Feds are trying to nab this thief…will they? I enjoyed it and found it surprising in spots. Worth a look.

12. ROGUE MALE-1976

This was a BBC TV movie starring Peter O’Toole as an aristocratic man who tries to take out Hitler, fails, is captured, tortured but escapes. This happens in the first 10 minutes of the film. Well-acted, taut suspense movie.

13.  LAST DAYS OF PATTON-1986

George C. Scott reprises his Oscar winning( he declined the award and, unlike Brando, never did claim it later) role as the controversial General in the last year of his life. This was a TV movie played on regular TV which would never happen today. Again, well acted and thought out movie about this General. 

TV SHOWS

1. PICARD-SEASON 3-2023

Love it!! A couple of holes but I don’t care. Thoroughly enjoyed it and leaves a door open for another ST series starring Seven of Nine.

2. THE SALVAGE KINGS-2019-TO PRESENT

My hubby and I enjoy this Canadian show about a team of salvage people who go to homes, businesses, factories etc,,,, before the places are torn down, in search of treasures. They find everything from great old wood to signs, lights, tools, you name it. They sell it at their own store whether it is to individuals, collectors or film studios needing props. 

3. THE GREAT POTTERY THROWDOWN-2015- PRESENT

I my have spoken about this before but, I don’t remember, so that works for me. This is a British show about potters who wish to win the big prize and must create different pieces of pottery challenges which can include garden gnomes, lighting displays to working toilets. I have never bought much pottery but I do love anything creative plus the head guy cries at a drop of a hat. Love that!

Ok, this is late with a ton of movies. Have you seen any of these?

Oh My Stars! I Made Card

 

How long has it been?? Waaaaay toooooo looooonnnngg! My hubby's birthday was Thursday and he turned 66! He does not look it but he is not a happy camper. I was working but I bought him a cheesecake  and, this weekend, I made beef Stroganoff and he loved it. 

Ok...on with the card. The Library Challenge started up again and I'm so happy about that so I designed a card around the book they displayed. I created the background using alcohol inks. I stamped Mr. Ruggles, this stamp is about 2 years old, in black ink and placed him in the frame I made using a dye cut. I coloured it with distress sprays. I used double sided sticky tape and placed it all down. Stamped the sentiment in silver but used blue embossing powder and heated it up. I coloured the sticker borders in black and framed Mr. Ruggles. Oh, his first name is Percy. Poor guy is not a sports cat but he loves to read which makes him the perfect cat.

The Library Challenge-

HLS: Birthday -Anything Goes

Simon Says- Add a Sentiment 

Retro Rubber Challenge-Anything Goes rrcb207

The Male Room- Add An Animal

Thursday Movie Picks: TV Edition- Musical Theme

 

It's TV time again and this is a funny  theme that Wandering Through The Shelves chose. My mind went everywhere but I chose 3 that ended up being a theme within a theme within a theme. Also, have you noticed that today's shows have hardly any TV theme opening showing the casts' names etc.. I find that sad. 

Yesterday was pick the Oscar song theme so, without further adieu the Oscar winner was Windmill of Your Mind. The nominated one was Chitty, Chittenden, Bang, Bang and nada was Who Knows Where The Time Goes.

Now on with the show...

1. LOST IN SPACE- 1965-1968 COMPOSED BY JOHN WILLIAMS

Yup, before John Williams won Oscars and was Spielberg's go to composer he wrote many TV themes and was going by Johnnie Williams...or was that Johnny?? Well, this is a show, created and produced by Irwin Allen, I watched after school religiously to the point my mom asked if there was anything else but that on. Poor mom had to listen to this and Gilligan’s Island all the time. This show was about a family, with best friend in tow along with evil Dr. Smith, who get off course and crash land on a planet trying to get back to earth. The 3rd season they have the ship mobile going from planet to planet trying to get home. There are a couple of musical versions for this show but I chose the more popular one.

2. THE TIME TUNNEL-1966-1967- COMPOSED BY JOHN WILLIAMS 

This show, created and produced by Irwin Allen, only lasted 1 season and its a shame because it is quite good and it was solid for a Friday night but Execs canceled the series putting their bets on a show about Custer...it bombed. 2 scientists end up in a time machine going from one famous event( like the sinking of the Titanic) to  another all while trying not to change what happened. John Williams created the music for thos as well and it's excellent lending itself to what the show is about.

3. LAND OF THE GIANTS-1968-1970 COMPOSED BY JOHN WILLIAMS 

Take a guess who the producer and creator of this show was?? Yup Irwin Baby! He was all the rage back then and this is also about a group of people who went off course in their spacecraft landing on a planet that looks like Earth but everyone is huge and these guys are like Barbie and Ken dolls. The Giants are trying to find them and get rid of them so we often see the stars in predicaments where they need to be saved. This was a very expensive show to run with all the special effects and everything had to be made to scale. I loved watching this show too. 

Hope you like all my themes here but especially John Williams of Star Wars/Indiana Jones fame. What TV themes come.into your head?

Who Won the Oscar 1968

 

1968 seems like a good year to pick for this month so that’s what I went with. Nothing special why I chose this year so let’s see if you can choose who won the Oscar, who was nominated and who got nuttin’ honey. BTW, I'm entering this ro the Monday Music Moves Me hosted by Cathy from Curious as a Cathy.

1. CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG- SUNG BY DICK VAN DYKE & SALLY ANN HOWES

This song, composed, is famous and justly so because it is fun! It’s infectious and it plays more than once in the fun, family film of the same name that stars Penis Van Lesbian, er, I mean, Dick Van Dyke and the lovely Sally Ann Howes who has a very pretty voice. 

2. WHO KNOWS WHERE THE TIME GOES- SUNG BY JUDY COLLINS

Judy has such a beautiful voice and was part of the folk music scene of the 60s  but sang a lovely song, written by Sandy Denny, from the film, “The Subject Was Roses” starring Patricia Neal. This was the first film she made, winning an Oscar might I add, after suffering a debilitating stroke while pregnant 3 years earlier. The doctors thought she would never walk again never mind working gain and memorizing lines. This lady had quite the life and her autobiography is one to read because this gal went through some very difficult moments in her long life. I actually think she is pretty inspiring.

3.  WINDMILLS OF YOUR MIND SUNG BY NOEL HARRISON

This song, composed by Michael Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, comes from the film,  “The Thomas Crown Affair”, starring those 2 docile , likeable actors Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. Actually, they are notorious for being the most obnoxious people to ever have to work with. This song was famously sung by Dusty Springfield but also sung by many others as well as known just by its music.

So can you guess which won won, which was nominated and which one came up empty?

Thursday Movie Flicks- Stars from Yesteryear Who Would Now Have Their Own Reality Show

 

I don't know why my brain went to this theme but it did. There were quite a few "stars" back in the day that would have made it big today in the reality TV throw-ups. I have, thankfully, never seen the Kardashiasses show and never care to, but they made it big for being ultra fake. I believe the stars, I have chosen, would have been a lot better than many of the tv hookers of today. These 3 gals made movies but are more known for their publicity than their acting.

1. THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT-1956

This film stars the bodacious ta-tas belonging to Jayne Mansfield who milks it( pun intended) for all its worth. She is one, of many, to be another Marilyn Monroe. This film stars Tom Ewall( who starred with MM in the 7 Year Itch) as a boozy promoter forced by a mobster to make the mobster's moll a singing sensation even though she has no talent. What none count on is that the moll and the boozer fall in love. It's actually quite funny with some good songs from early rock & roll icons in this movie. This Dame doesn't seem all that bothered by how much the studio played her as a dumb blonde built like curvy Mount Rushmore. Jayne apparently had a figure of 40-21-35. Her IQ was supposed to be 163 and she knew several languages. She was most known for her pink palace with thick pink rugs in the bathroom ( ewww) and pink everywhere..my nightmare. She had 5 kids ( one is Mariska Hargitay), 5 husbands, many lovers and wanting to be in every photo shoot possible. Sadly, she died in a tragic car accident when only 34.

2. QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE-1958

This is a flick that’s so bad to fun! It’s even more fun because it stars Zsa Zsa Gabor famous for being…Zsa Zsa. She is the epitome of over excess in the Hungarian accent, furs, feather boas, husbands, lovers and 2 other famous sisters, Eva and Magda. I think Eva was more of the decent Gabor sisters famous for her tv role in Green Acres whereas Magda was the lone Redhead, least known, but just as crazy. She married George Sanders (a great actor) after Zsa Zsa was married to him. Darling, they would have loved to be in a reality series but they came from a different era. This is one film where Zsa Zsa was the lead as a beautiful woman on Venus trying to save the male astronauts who crash landed on the planet Venus. The Queen has a major hang up when it comes to men much to the chagrin of the female Venetian gals, no they are not from Venice but they all live on Venus who really miss a man’s …er. Moving on, the Queen hides her face behind a mask but is slowly losing her grip on power and reality. This is one of many outer space films from this decade and it’s fun…very stupid but so much fun. Apparently, Zsa Zsa was not happy being surrounded by very beautiful women who were younger and became quite the diva (big surprise) to the point where the director got an ulcer. 

3. GIRLSTOWN-1959

Another Monroe wannabe was, well, she is not dead yet, Mamie Van Doren who had ample bazongas and paraded around in many a tight sweater in Grade Z flicks. This movie actually has some famous faces, kinda sad, since this flick is …bad but, again, in a fun way but not as fun a Queen Venus. It seems Mamie causes the death of a bastard kid who tried to rape her but falls to his death. She is sent to a nunnery…yup, a nunnery…ok, ok…it’s a delinquent home for girls run by nuns but close enough, where Mamie causes quite the stir in her double D cup. What are the nuns to do? The other girls like or hate Mamie but, in the meantime, the head of the motorcycle gang, Mel Torme…yes! Mel Torme was a witness to what really happened on that cliff side. Paul Anka also appears in this flick. The title song is sung by Paul Anka with a blood curdling scream placed in the middle…quite jarring actually. Mamie is the only one still alive of these 3 divas at 92 and looks…scary, to be honest. She has also had multiple marriages but the last one stayed strong. She claimed to have had affairs with both John and Robert Kennedy plus many others and loved to be the centre of attention. 

What older stars can you think of that would have loved to be in a reality show? What movies were they in?

Music Fest Wednesday

 

I went for a walk with my brother now that I feel much, much better and we came across this fun garden scene. I thought it was very inventiveso out came the camera. You can see I am in my Met Gala outfit for the backwoodsman. I'm joining the wonder Cathy at Curious as a Cathy for the Monday Music Moves Me challenge all about songs and/or Groups/Singers that ate just one word/name. Here are mine...

1. RAPTURE BY BLONDIE-1980

I like Blondie and this was a different song that, at one time, I memorized the lyrics to. I had no idea this was one of the first hits for a "rap" song. I'm not into rap, for the most part but I do like this. 

2. PRIDE BY U2-1984

I love U2 and had a thing for Bono..still do:). It's also titled In The Name Of Love and has to do with Martin Luther King Jnr. I had no clue..just lovevthe song and it is one of the rare times I actually saw a band! I saw them back in the late 80s. 

3. BUMBLEBEE BY ABBA-2021

Well, you know ABBA would be here because I love them and they made so many songs with one word. This is from their newest CD about the plight of the bees dying. We better wake up and save these critters or we will pay for it. 

4. EAGLE BY ABBA- 1977

Since Mother's Day just passed, I am adding this because my mom loved this song. Bjorn and Benny both loved the band "The Eagles" so this is an homage to the band B & B loved.

5. CHIQUITITA SUNG BY ABBA-1979

Thos means "little girl" in Spanish and became a huge hit in Spain and Latin America especially when ABBA released their Spanish album with this song on it. I do have the Spanish album and love it.

There are quite a few more but I had to give 3 ABBA songs.

What would you choose?

Thursday Movie Picks-Period Drama

 

This is a wide open theme that Wandering Through The Shelves chose and I love it, but I narrowed it down a bit more. Here they are...

1. JEZEBEL-1938

This stars Betty Davis as a spoiled, willful brat from the South who loves the noble Henry Fonda and vice versa but she wants things her way. She demands rather than demures and, shocking, she decides to wear a red dress to the ball when virgins( Ha!) are to wear white. Well, that's just going too far and Fonda makes sure everyone sees her in red. I like this gal! He takes off but comes back with a wife. What will this Jezebel do? I mean, yellow fever is everywhere but this is love! This is an excellent vehicle for Bette who won the Oscar for her role as well as having a great affair with William Wyler, the director, who could match her punch for punch. Many years later, she said he was the love of her life and she was a fool for letting him go. 

2. ALL THIS, AND HEAVEN TOO- 1940

Based on a true story about a gentle governess, played by Betty Davis, to a French Duc, played by Charles Boyer, who has children by a bitch of a wife. The wife is not exactly cracker Jack and thinks they are lovers and will steal the kids away. Davis and Boyer do love each other but never give in to their love. When his wife is murdered all hell breaks loose with gossip being #1. I found this performance by Davis very understated which is unique because it’s Bette Davis, but she handles the character well and she has good chemistry with Boyer. The costumes, like Jezebel are great but I really liked the story and knowing it’s a true story makes it even more special. By the way, this scandal brought the end of the  French Aristocracy.

3. THE LITTLE FOXES-1941

Tallulah Bankhead originated the role on Broadway but Betty Davis secured the movie screen role and made the most of it as the shrewish wife of a noble but sickly, rich husband played perfectly by Herbert Marshall, one of my favourite actors. Davis has 2 brothers who are equally corrupt but can make it in the world because they are men while their sis is relegated to being a nice wife. Well, nice is the last word you would use for this character who should be considered one of the most evil for what she conjures up to make her wealthier than she already is. She will do anything to get ahead…anything. Bette was up for another Oscar but didn’t win and I think, maybe , she should have won. Love this film and it is a must see, in my humble opinion.

Which period dramas films would you choose?

Wednesday Music Fest-So Romantic

 

My sweet hubby often will draw a sun for me and he says that I am his sunshine. You can either say…awwwww or bleccch. For me, I melt and this brings out the romantic in me. There are many pieces of music that makes me swoon but I chose these 3 because I find them so ….what’s the word?? Yes, romantic:) I'm joining in with the Monday Music Challenge.  

1. SOMEWHERE IN TIME BY JOHN BARRY-1980

I must have been one of the few people who went to see this film in the theatre because I had a major crush on Christopher Reeve. I fell in love with this movie because of the fantasy of it and the music really moves this plot along. It just wouldn’t be the same without  this great theme.

2. THE KISS FROM LAST OF THE MOHICANS BY TREVOR JONES-1992

I saw this film in the theatre as well because, yes, I had a crush on Daniel-Day Lewis and he didn’t disappoint. This is a great soundtrack and should have been nominated for an Oscar but Trevor couldn’t finish the who project so Randy Edelman completed it. Since someone came n to fine tune it, it was disqualified. To me, this is an Oscar winner and just makes me feel all gooey inside.

3. HYMN FOR THE HEARTLAND BY JAMES GALWAY AND PHIL COULTER-1998

James Galway is a world renowned flutist who has established himself as one of the best in the world. With Phil, he created a CD, which I must get, which is all about the immigrant Irish who came to the States. It’s just so beautiful and dreamlike. I love it.

Which songs or musical pieces makes your heart go pitter patter?

Thursday Movie Films

 

I hope Wandering Through The Shelves doesn't mind me still using her logo since she went to bi-weekly...she is my inspiration to keep doing this weekly.  I was thinking of a theme and I thought of history, which I love. I looked up, " What happened in May," and found this quick history site about key events and birthdays and chose my 3 films and here they are...

1. CAREFREE-1938

This is a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musical ( sorry Shady) with tunes from the great Irving Berlin who was born on May 11, 1888 and lived to be 101 yrs old. The songs may not be as famous as some of his others but I love the dance, "The Yam" and always dreamed of being swept off my feet like Ginger in this number. Now, ...no, because it would end up.more like “The Yuck.” Anyhoo, Ginger ends up going to a psychiatrist, played by Astaire and falls for him. This is not a good idea so he hypnotizes her to dislike him and it works out too well. This is the movie where Astaire finally kisses Rogers and it was done in slo-mo much to Astaire's dislike ( he thought it all too icky) but the public were dying to see them finally kiss. This film did not do as well and seems to break the spell of their golden partnership. I actually find this film quite funny and it really showcases Rogers ability at comedy. It's better than I thought it would be since I had always read it wasn’t as good as their other outings.

2. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON-1939

This is a classic amidst a number of classics because it is 1939 and books have been written about the amount of great films that came out that year. Jimmy Stewart plays a young senator who comes to Washington all innocent and virtuous hoping to prove he is worthy as a senator. ( my, how times have changed) Jean Arthur is his secretary who knows all too well that his starry-eyed look at the world of Washington is just not going to cut it. When Stewart wants to create a park for boys to go to to get away from it all, he has no idea that his hero, senator Paine  played beautifully by the great Claude Rains, is up to dung wanting the same land for a business man who wants to make it rich. Stewart finds out all too quick that he was a stooge but when he visits the Lincoln Memorial, he weeps, but finds the strength to fight. It is so well acted that Jimmy should have won the Oscar( well, many deserved it that year). The character actors are great like Thomas Mitchell and Eugene Pallette and the director is top notch, Frank Capra, who was born on May 18, 1897. The main reason I chose this film? The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1922. Truly, I thought that was built long before. 

3. THE KING'S SPEECH- 2010

I find so many people hate this film today and I just don't get it...maybe it's a generation gap thing. I found both Colin Firth as the reluctant future King with a stutter and Geoffrey Rush as his tutor superlative. This film is all about this gentle, future king who stutters and has seen all sorts of people who are supposed to cure him but don't. You meet his wife, the Queen mum, and their 2 daughters as well as his snotty brother King Edward and Wallas who has him under her thumb. You see how a friendship is born and how he must be prepared to become King when his brother abdicates. I love this film, the acting and the cinematography. King George VI became King on May 12th, 1937. Hmm, close to when Charles is to wear the crown in only a few days. 

So, dust off some history and what movies can you think of  where the events happened in May? Or someone born in May? This shall be interesting.

Music Week

 

Not a care in the world! Our Harley can almost always make me feel better and I have been sick the last week so he has been my companion. I just had a nasty head cold all in the sinuses but I'm on the mend and Harley slept with me with his head on my lap or shoulder. Over at Monday’s Music Moves Me, Shady, aka Tom, came up with a great theme- music is medicine for the soul. You can take this literally or in the spirit of it, which is what I chose. This is not for all of you but I hope you take a listen as I listen to your heavy metal stuff :) 

1. MAURO MALAVASI- PIANISSIMO WITH ANDREA BOCELLI AND CECELIA BARTOLI-2020

This is from Andrea Bocelli's CD called  "I Believe" which, I believe, I need to buy:). Cecelia Bartoli is a mezzo- soprano who just sings this enchanting piece with exquisite control next to this famous man. I'll take this over screaming Mimi Carey any day. This is how to control a voice and sing well rather than sounding like a banshee.

2. PIANO CONCERTO IN A MINOR BY EDVARD GRIEG-NIKOLAI LUGANSKY AT PIANO-2020

This pianist is amazing and my favourite part is the 2nd movement at about the 13 minute mark  or thereabouts if you wanted to skip the 1st and 3rd. I find the middle section so moving it brings me to tears from its sheer beauty. It’s the only concerto Grieg completed back in 1868.

3. SIBELIUS'S SYMPHONY #5- JUKKE PEKKA SARASTE CONDUCTOR OF THE OSLO  SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA-2015

Way back in the mid 90s...ok, that feels like yesterday, my ex and I went into Sam the Record Man, a famous record store/ institution,  looking around at all sorts of records or cds to buy. As I wandered into the classical section I heard this ethereal music that seemed to come from a dream. I had to know what this peace was and once the surly snot saleswoman told me, I bought the CD. I can just sit back and listen to this piece and it makes me feel like gold.

So..one more...in honour of

GORDON LIGHTFOOT 

This man is a Canadian musical icon who died Monday at the age of 84. I love his smooth, haunting voice that can also bring me to tears, believe it or not. When I heard of his famous song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, written and performed by this great singer back in 1976, I thought it was like a dream and it transported me to another place. It’s one of the best tribute songs about men who make their living on the ships.

What music makes you feel better or any songs with a  more literal meaning?

Star of the Month

 

ALICE FAYE

BORN: May 5, 1915

DIED: May 9, 1998

AGED: 83 yrs

DIED FROM: Stomach Cancer 

REAL NAME: Alice Jeanne Leppert

MARRIED: Twice - Tony Martin; Phil Harris( until his death- 54 yrs)

AFFAIRS: maybe Rudy Vallee but she Vehemently denied this and I believe her. Valee's wife put Faye's name in the divorce proceedings. Rudy Vallee took her on as his protégé which sounds wrong but I have not heard too many others say the wifeceas right. Bob Stevens- a producer she dated before meeting her 2nd husband. Apparently, Phil  wanted to punch Bob's lights out.

CHILDREN: 2 daughters

NICKNAME: the Queen of Fox

FAMOUS PAIRINGS: Don Ameche and Tyrone Power often as a  threesome ..not that kind! And  John Payne 

TALENT: her beautiful voice

KNOWN FOR: giving up her career at the height of her fame. Except for a turn in the remake "State Fair", a couple of guest spots in movies and "The Love Boat", she did not come back to film but she did venture back to Broadway in 1974 with her old costar, John Payne. 

This is one strong lady who was born in the notorious Hell's Kitchen area of New York City. She said you either became a lady of the stage or a lady of the streets and she chose the former. She lied about her age so she could get on the stage as a showgirl  but she was only 13. She claimed she was 16. She already had a shapely figure and her voice was sultry, so she was good to go in the theatre. Rudy Vallee heard her sing and gave her a job in the George White Scandals and, when Lillian Harvey dropped out of the movie version, Alice became the lead. At this time, she was looking like a Jean Harlow type, brassy and tough talking, but Darryl F. Zanuck groomed her into a more wholesome looking gal which is why I have 2 photos of her. 

Her voice introduced 23 hits more than any other popular star of this time, even Judy Garland. Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin all preferred her singing and wanted her to introduce their songs. Her most famous is " You'll Never Know" which I showcased last week, but I didn't want her singing it because you would have guessed that won the Oscar for sure. That song and the song, " My Man" became her signature tunes even though she never made a recording of it due to her Fox Contract. 

She was a big name in the 30s and 40s but when Darryl Zanuck cut many of her scenes in " Fallen Angel" preferring Linda Darnell over her, she was deeply hurt because she thought she gave one of her best performances. She handed in her trailer keys, wrote a note to Zanuck using a few expletives and left! Fox put her on suspension but she flipped them the bird( not literally) and said she has more to do in life than be in pictures like taking care of her children and learning to cook. Her 2nd husband, known for being being on the Jack Benny show, a comedian etc... started a radio show with his wife which ran for 8 years and showcased her singing and comedic timing. 

She was a real trooper who did not think badly of people, had a great 2nd marriage that lasted 54 yrs, good children and a legacy that stands the test of time. More people need to know about her.

FILMS

1. George White Scandals of 1935-1935

2. Poor Little Rich Girl-1936

3. King of Burlesque-1936

4. On the Avenue-1937

5. In Old Chicago- 1938

6. Alexander's Ragtime Band- 1938

7. Rose of Washington Square-1939

8. Lillian Russell- 1940

9. That Night in Rio-1941

10. Hello, Frisco, Hello- 1943