Notablog

Song of the Day: The Christmas Waltz, words and music by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, was written for Frank Sinatra and recorded in 1954 as the B-side to his version of “White Christmas“. Check out Sinatra’s original recording as well as other renditions by Nancy Wilson, Mel Torme, the…

Song of the Day: Action Jackson and The Magical Disappearing Sock [YouTube link], composed and arranged by Tyler J. Mire, features my long-time friend and coeditor Roger Bissell on trombone. One thing you DON’T want before Christmas is a Magical Disappearing Sock (or Christmas Stocking, if you will). Where will…

Song of the Day: Why Try To Change Me Now?, music and lyrics by Cy Coleman and Joseph A. McCarthy, was recorded by Frank Sinatra for his 1959 Gordon Jenkins-arranged and conducted album, “No One Cares“. The song was featured in Season 5, Episode 15 (“My Way”) of “The Good…

Song of the Day: Blue Windows [YouTube link], written by Joseph Curiale, is a jazz-infused piece originally performed by Doc Severinsen—no surprise since Curiale worked on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as an arranger and composer from 1982 to 1992. This rendition by the Academy of Saint Martin in…

Song of the Day: The Planets, Op. 32, IV: Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity, composed between 1914 and 1916 by Gustave Holst, is part of a seven-movement orchestral suite. Check out a wonderful recording by James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (below) as well as this recording of the…

Song of the Day: Big Energy is credited not only to the team that gave us “Genius of Love” and to Mariah Carey (who recorded “Fantasy“, featured yesterday), but also to the singer who recorded it, Latto. Released in September 2021, it reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and…