With a million neon rainbows burning below me, And a million blazing taxis raising a roar, Here I sit, above the town, In my pet pailleted gown, Down in the depths On the ninetieth floor. While the crowds in all the nightclubs punish the parquet, And the bars are packed with couples calling for more, I’m deserted and depressed In ... Read More »
Category Archives: All Posts
Till Love Touches Your Life
There are times when I think I’ve heard almost every song, especially those sung by the one and only Johnny Mathis. Just recently though, I bought a new Johnny Mathis disc that I did not have. Although I had some of the songs on this disc, I didn’t have all of them and I felt the need for more Johnny. ... Read More »
George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin: Fascinating Rhythms
Some people are gifted with long, happy lives. Some are just gifted with long lives, the happiness being questionable. Some people are given short lives, but with the kinds of gifts that are given to very few. Such was the life of George Gershwin. When I was 10 years old, I was asked to do a report on one of ... Read More »
Xavier Cugat, Desi Arnaz, and Linda Ronstadt: Let’s Rhumba!
We all know how one thing leads to another. About a month ago, I saw a wonderful movie called Neptune’s Daughter with Esther Williams. All of Esther Williams’ movies had a feel good atmosphere about them. You knew you were in for gorgeous scenery, beautiful music and some hot bathing suits. . . for the time! This particular movie also ... Read More »
Happy Holidays and Sleigh Ride
When I was young, my favorite holiday song was Sleigh Ride. I didn’t care who performed it. I liked every version. I was so disappointed when the holidays were through and for some reason everyone stopped playing Sleigh Ride. I didn’t have the money to buy the music, so all I could do was wait for the holiday season. When ... Read More »
Bonanza, Adventures in Paradise and Route 66
They say that 1939 was the golden age of movies. In that year, ten movies were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. These included Stagecoach (which introduced us to John Wayne), The Wizard of Oz, Good Bye, Mr. Chips and Gone with the Wind. I believe 1959 and 1960 were the golden age for television. At least for ... Read More »
Linda Eder and Josh Groban . . . Paradise!
When beautiful voices come together with exquisite music it is paradise. I remember when I first saw Linda Eder on Star Search. I thought she was so beautiful and her voice was magical. I knew she would be successful: she had it all. I believe that was when composer, Frank Wildhorn saw her and a wonderful collaboration began. A few ... Read More »
Oh Baia!
Many of you know my passion for the song, Baia, by Johnny Mathis. I personally listen to it all the time. One of my favorite stories is that when I first heard this song I fell in love, and was determined to find out where the music came from. It turns out it came from a Disney film from the ... Read More »
Movie Overtures
I love movie soundtracks. For those of you who share my passion please tune in on Monday, June 8th, at 1 pm Eastern / 10 am Pacific time when Movies Broadway Singers & Beyond plays some of my favorite soundtracks. Some of these you may recognize but there will be many new ones for you to appreciate. It has fascinated ... Read More »
The Crooners
It’s been described that the word crooner was given to male singers of jazz music either backed by a full orchestra, big band or piano. What allowed the crooners to perform with such finesse was the invention of the microphone. Before the mic, singers had to project their voices to the back of the theatre. I describe crooners as singers ... Read More »