Song of the Day: Come on-a My House features the words and music of Ross Bagdasarian (yes, “David Seville” of “Chipmunks” fame) and William Saroyan. Based on a traditional Armenian folk song, it was performed in the off-Broadway production of “The Son” (1950) but became a huge #1 hit for Rosemary Clooney the following year [YouTube link]. Check out some other renditions by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Prima (with a few Italian delicacies thrown in), Kay Starr, and Julie London [YouTube links]. Today is Moderna Second Dose + 14 Days, which means that if you too have the proper paperwork, you can “Come on-a My House” and—as the song says—I can give you candy and figs and grapes and cakes and everything, even a Marriage Ring! Well, I’m not that easy. 😉
Roark Rolled
This one came out of a chat with philosopher and friend Roderick Tracy Long! For those who have been “Rick Rolled”, consider yourself “Roark Rolled.” For like Rick Astley, Howard Roark has Red Hair and Never Gives Up [YouTube link]!
“Lucky to Be Alive, & We Ain’t Kitten!”
Why anybody would attempt to rid themselves of a pet by throwing it in the trash is beyond me. Hopper the Cat is “Lucky to Be Alive” thanks to two sanitation workers in Queens, NY! Yay! Check out the story in today’s New York Daily News.
Be Kind …
This being the Greek Orthodox Holy Week, I can think of fewer messages more important than not giving into the very things you dislike in others. It reminds me of some great dialogue from “Ben-Hur” (1959). His family destroyed, his childhood friend (Messala), who betrayed him, is now dead, and Judah Ben-Hur is turning toward the dark side. Esther, who loves him, tells him:
“It was Judah Ben-Hur I loved. What has become of him? You seem to be now the very thing you set out to destroy, giving evil for evil! Hatred is turning you to stone. It is as though you had become Messala! … I’ve lost you, Judah.”
The “miracle” at the end of the film has less to do with leprosy being cured and more to do with Judah laying down the sword, upon which his own soul was being impaled.
Song of the Day #1862
Song of the Day: Tribute to Film Composers [YouTube link], arranged and conducted by John Williams, is a celebration of some of the greatest scores—and their composers—to have ever graced the silver screen. It includes wonderful cues from such composers as Max Steiner, Bernard Herrmann, Alfred Newman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Miklos Rozsa, James Horner, Henry Mancini, Ernest Gold, John Barry, Maurice Jarre, Malcolm Arnold, Jerry Goldsmith, Bill Conti, Elmer Bernstein, Randy Newman, Ennio Morricone (that “Cinema Paradiso” theme from yesterday), Nino Rota, and the maestro himself. The performance of this kaleidoscopic medley was a highlight of the 74th Academy Awards back in March 2002. Tonight, a new film score will take its place among those awarded over the last 93 years of Oscar.
(In the title YouTube link, Harrison Ford tells us back then that Williams had only 45 Oscar nominations, and 5 Oscars to his credit; he now has 52 Oscar nominations, second only to Walt Disney’s 59 lifetime nominations!)
Inherit the Wind … Still Riveting
This scene from the 1960 film, “Inherit the Wind” (which is on the local NY PBS station tonight), is one of the most riveting cinematic statements of the power of the individual human mind in the debate between science and religion. Based on the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, it features two giants of the silver screen: Spencer Tracy and Frederic March. Breathtaking…
Martin, Johnny, and Bette
This 1988 Martin Short appearance on Johnny Carson is full of hilarious impersonations… and Bette Davis is not amused! LOL
Song of the Day #1861
Song of the Day: Cinema Paradiso (“Love Theme”) [YouTube link] was composed by Ennio Morricone for the 1988 Italian film that won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 62nd Academy Awards. This is Academy Awards Weekend, which comes later than the typical February showing (that coincides with my Film Music February Tribute). So I’m featuring two additional film-related “Songs of the Day” to celebrate the art of the score. Listen especially to this lush, romantic theme as rendered by the great classical violinist Itzhak Perlman [YouTube link].
Oscar Funk You Up!
Kicking off Oscar weekend with “Uptown Funk” (by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars)—which has served as the inspiration for quite a few cinema dance mash-ups. Check ’em out! Lotsa fun!
Classic Movie Stars Funk it Up!
And finally, Take 4 (100 movie-scene mash-up):
Tomorrow and Sunday, two more Oscar-oriented treats, part of my “Song of the Day” series …
Sheep Labor!
This story in today’s New York Daily News, “Sheep Labor: 5 New Workers Sink Their Teeth in Job on Governor’s Island,” just made me go: “Awww…”
