They Took it Away

Speaking of singing, I just wish that some of those called upon to sing the national anthem would learn how to sing it.

My view:

The National Anthem is a trying song,

One after another gets it ever so wrong,

O’, say, can’t you see,

It’s beyond hope for the likes of me?

Though we loyally try with all our might,

Any attempt singing it is a perilous fight,

Many renditions put us in an instant snit,

Surrender, quit trying and simply hum it.

This is MY FAVORITE Gershwin song. At the shop last month we were playing an older Frank Sinatra singing it. It was AWFUL. I asked the Media Manager to pull it, as it was offensive to George & Ira.

Bing REALLY?! for THAT song?! Bing has so many BETTER songs that that one. Makes you wonder what the voters were thinking at the time?

To have a Gentleman play or sing that song for me one day.. that would be the Best Valentine/I Love you ever ..I guess for now it will have to be in my dreams.... Sigh...

Fred & Ginger films are always on the list of HAvE to Watch. That kind of Elegance never goes out of style.

 Thank You everyone for your well wishes.

I think the interview went well & I hope they feel the same way. Should know next week.

Time for bed, have a lunch date with a Villager tomorrow.

Morning LOT & RINGS!
 
Loverly songs..................aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, to watch old movies all day..............
 
RINGS, STONEY, & TMBWITW.........................have a wonderful lunch together!
 
Great day all........................

A warning: if you plan on clicking over to peruse the "Sweet Leilani" lyrics, you might want to wear your barn boots so they can be hosed off before coming back to the village.
Diabetics are advised to avoid the experience altogether.

This may be a sunny omen: one of our smarter-than-me daughters, (they all are) has found a job significantly better, requiring less time and travel than the two she had.

A fellow worker and I strolling down the hall in our old office building, were made to jump aside to make way for a sleeping man who came flying backwards out of the men's room and slid across the floor.
A huge cleaning woman appeared in the doorway kind of bobbing her head and looking not completely satisfied.
We knew the guy and offered to get him out of there and  I asked: "Who should we say happened to him?"
"Leilani," she said, "and it was commentin' about that that winded him up on the floor."
Which was true as far as it went: He had gone into the closed-for-service restroom, taken a leak in front of her, and, when she said something about it, he'd asked for her name.
She must have figured in for a penny, in for a pound: If I'm going to get reported for something, it might as well be worth it but nothing ever came of it.

Best Original Song means just that. We have to remember that Hawaii was a mysterious world away in those days and Nebraskan Harry Owens came to the islands and integrated for the first time traditional Hawaiian music with haole instruments particularly the sound of the steel guitar an instrument my Dad played brilliantly. As a Gershwin lover it is clear what is timeless and I certainly 'won't take that away' from them but the Oscars are about capturing a particular year and in '37 it was as Mr. Owens used to broadcast "All Hawaiian All the Time!" I think Mr. Owens and his troupe Hilo Hattie deserve some kudos and thus made me think of Elvis who popularized Bing's earlier version of Blue Hawaii another great song of that type in the early 60's that was hauntingly bootiful. Mahalo

It is the thought of Hawaiian music that makes not having been there and not planning to go, bearable.
It is snowing in the upper Midwest and, dammit, we like it that way.

I am so worried about The American Songbook. Gershwin, Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Berlin, etc.....so much incredible music. How to even expose little ones to all the music when they live in a Joe Raposo world (which is also not a bad thing).

"They Can't Take That Away From Me" is such a great example of perfection. My husband and I chose "Our Love Is Here to Stay" as "our" song and my son and I recently sang it at a family gathering. My drive home from my restaurant years ago took exactly the length of "Rhapsody in Blue" and it would give me the boost I needed to become Mom on some extremely tired nights.

When I was schoolage, Channel 9 in NYC had a program called Million Dollar Movie and they would play the same movie all week. Even though I was not allowed to watch television in the daytime, somehow I would manage to see movies like "Shall We Dance" at least 5 or 6 times. My profound disappointment at not wearing long white gloves and dancing at the Plaza on Saturday nights has always lingered.

Thanks Mr. Peterman. What a great song to have in my head!

Happy Birthday to RINGS & the BEAUTY! We would ALL love to be at that lunch!

And wouldn't we love to have you here.
However, the pleasant snowfall has developed into a howling nor'easter (I can't see the house across the street or our back fence) and unless it eases up soon, we may have to reschedule.
rings90 ~
Take no chances… there are more days.

Happy cake and candle day to RINGS and BEAUTY.
Listen to STONEY, don't let the weather get you.

Happy Birthdays even if the weather prevents your plans.
Stuff like the Oscars has me scurrying in search of my half-read book. Frankly, my dears, I don't give a damn.

My profound disappointment at not wearing long white gloves and dancing at the Plaza on Saturday nights has always lingered.

Chefdeb - I feel the EXACT same way.

    Good luck rings90 with your job prospect, and Happy Birthday to you and Mrs. Stoney! I'm headed out for(a 40 min. ride each way) trip to the store before that sloppy weather hits here. We are expecting only rain but the temps will be in the 30's and winds will be gusty and blowing in the 40mph range tonight so, who knows.....  

MISS BLUE what will you be cooking? Hazel has inspired me to make Potato Leek Soup, beyond that depends on what I find in the market this morning.

Don't freeze Leek and Potato Soup. Better to say 'Sorry, sold out.'

The plows are out earlier than usual dealing with the snow and the white glove discussion has reminded me of a couple of those Masonic affairs I was invited to attend pre-Beauty in junior high.
If you cleaned up nice, had a suit and some semblance of manners, you were always at risk.
They were fairly pleasant events for the guys and a very big deal for the girls some of whom were unaccustomed to the undivided attention of a boy for a whole evening.
I wonder if they still try that kind of thing and what the boys dress like… probably better not to know.

Stoney - Having chaperoned several of those teen dances not to long ago, I guarantee that there are no long white gloves (or good manners)! The guys seem to think low slung pants and tight shirts are stylish, while the gals will come in low cut tops, or layered string strap knit shirts that reveal almost everything, and if we don't stop them, they will be hip synching doggie style! Honestly, I never thought I'd see supposedly "good" kids acting so cheap at a "dress up" school dance. The Prom was just as bad with the girls in gowns(?) of a bra top, bare midriff that shows off the belly navel piercing jewelry, and a hip slung long skirt that looks as if it could just slip off at the next swing. Of them all, I'd say maybe 10% are acting like that, but the others are just awkward and not sure how to dance. Perhaps they need a good lesson or two of Dick Clark's American Bandstand to show some acceptable moves, or even some Arthur Murray lessons.

Now, that is not ALL kids, but enough to be a problem for adults to have to intervene and say, "If you can't dance nicely with some decorum, you will have to sit down." Of course, the DJ's encourage raunchy behavior with their patter,too. If only they knew how fine was the talent and behavior of Fred and Ginger. I remember admiring Cyd Charisse,and Gwen Verdon, too. Why do you suppose the musical film has gone the way of the dodo?

It is hard to find a sexier voice in a love song that that of Elvis.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXp430ATiaI&feature=player_embedded

Not to say this is art, but it sure is snuggling music....! Makes me want to be there, on the beach at night, in a tiki hut, a little beach fire throwing out shadows, with a special someone, and a drink or two with rum and juice. anyone else like Elvis's love songs?

HAZE There's never any left to freeze! But on occasion I cook & puree leeks and freeze that in a baggie....

STONEY! Some of the Prom pictures I see are hilarious (nowadays it seems to be just called "Prom" and not "the prom"). the girls are dressed like Lady Gaga or Kim Kardashian and the boys have on slacks, collared shirt & tie with sneakers and baseball cap!

This article from the web explains that only songs written specifically for the particular film may be nominated (see explanation of why some Broadway songs are not eligible), and it lists the winners and other nominees for years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Original_Song

I know, I know, you guys who sniff at this source as unreliable, but this is close enough for me. It is more than I knew before.

Hazel, I can see why you are not interested in the Oscars, but tell us if the UK has a similar ceremony to honor the best of the movie output???

One thing I noticed as the winners were listed up through the years, is that more and more of the songs were from Disney studio! Who would have guessed that back in the 40-50's!!?

When I read "They took it away" - first thing I thought was "You can't take that away from me"...Cole Porter and Gershwin(s) were introduced to me early in my life by my Dad who took the family to musical after musical, and when he wasn't listening to "Victory at Sea" which he loved to death, the music in our house was Gershwin/Porter.  My husband is still amazed that I know all the words to almost all (and there are so many) of Gershwin and Porter's songs, he says it's unnatural, as though I was born in an earlier generation.  ... Anyway, as for "Shall We Dance" being ignored at the Oscar's, I do think Bing Crosby had an awful lot of influence in Hollywood, if you know what I mean....I'm such a cynic. ;)

CD--I remember the Million Dollar Movie very well. The music for it was the theme to GWTW.  I watched way too much TV when I was a kid (still do) and that brings back fond memories.
 
My mom and I loved to watch old movies together.  She turned me onto all the classics and the great movie stars.  I've probably forgotten more of the old B & W movies than many of my friends have ever seen.  Now I know people who have never seen a B & W movie--really!  Maybe all the buzz around the new movie, The Artist, will change some of that.  I do love the old Gershwin tunes and The Great American Songbook. Deb, I think it will survive.  Young people seem to rediscover that music all the time.  I did in my teens. Harry Connick delivered Gershwin very well in When Harry Met Sally, Tony Bennett is collaborating with many young artists on some of the old standards. The music will never die.

Wow--it's really snowing out there!

A Village lunchtime celebration for rings and stoney's Beauty.  What a good time.  Wear your snow plows.  That's not right.  Wear your mittens and hope the snowplows have been out.  Wouldn't you just know it would decide to half-blizzard today?  That was a cheap lead in to:  I guess "it's just one of those things."  Have fun!

Moose~ I think there's a thing called the Brit Awards, but I am soooooooo not interested.

My friend Jane knew all the words to the old songs from the movies. Half a bottle of petrol quality red wine and she'd sing all night if you kept her glass topped up. She insisted she only had one drink as she never emptied her glass.

Happy birthday, Beauty and Rings!!!
 
 
Thank you, Mr. Peterman, for the Oscar Snubs Series; it is worthy of passing along.
 
They did take it away. No cat-burglar will damage us more, and we are powerless to stop the loss. I fear for us when these songs are no more heard; if heard, not understood.  We've reared a generation most of whom apprehend none of the references in the witty lyrics of Gershwin, Porter, Coward, and their magnificent ilk.  (Today only Stephen Sondheim's work is remotely near, and not in the same category, so to speak.)
 
When "You came, you saw, you conquered me..." rings no bell, references no quotation, how can singer or listener interpret? How know where to send his thoughts? 
 
As Mr. Zinssler posits, and his life and work exhibit, good writing cannot be replaced. The lyricists we praise today wrote well.  Melody lingers, and may it long!  Words add meat to its bones. 
 
That the songs JP mentions are my favorites might simply 'date' me, were this not a serious matter. But serious it is.  And chiefly for want of hearing, that's the sad part.
 
introduce a summerfull of teens to this music, and when they produce a show in August, the sparks, questions, comments, births-of-enlightenment will stun.  (A friend has done that for years in a large city school system.)

ChefDeb the leeks looked terrible in the store today,so no leek soup here this weekend. I might throw together some onion/mushroom soup..like French Onion but with lots of mushrooms browned in butter added.I'll cheat as use canned beef broth/stock because I'm out of my homemeasde stuff.I did go by the seafood market and nab a couple of pounds of shrimp. No kid tonite so it will just be my hubbie and I .A fresh winter salad, garlic bread made with good multigrain seeded bakery bread,steamed shrimp with plenty of old bay and a few ice cold Golden Monkeys is what I have planned for dinner.I blought some cinnamon bread and apples to make fireplace apple pies with our pie irons for dessert. I have a take home essay test and a big lecture exam in A and P Monday and Wednesday respectively, so it's simple fare for the weekend.

blought? 

I have a pan of flourless brownies made with ground almonds I am trying in the oven now. Made the soup but haven't pureed it yet. Strip Steak & mushrooms with TATER TOTS and roasted Brussels Srpouts for dinner. Your shrimp sounds divine...........

BEBE--Yay for the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

to quote bebe, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmChefDebAre you trying to no/ low gluten it too?I  have some almond flour in the frig I recently purchased( I'm too lazy to make my own anymore) to make a flourless cake. After baking it is drenched in a syrup made of fresh orange squeezin's and Cointreau and sugar.

I am Wishing All the Villagers a Marvelous, Fun, and Pleasant Weekend ...
 
Be Safe, Be Well, and May The Be No Clouds in Your Skies .......
 
Forget About MOnday, Until Monday ... Do Not Let the devil Steal Your Joy !!!
 
 
To Those of You Who Do ... GOOD  SHABBOS !!!
 
I Wish You All a Sabbath of Peace, Joy, and Rest .......
 
The Lord is God, in The Heavens Above, and On The Earth Below ...
 
There is None Other ...
 
May Our Rest Be Pleasing Unto Him Who Made Us .......
 
Blessings Upon You All .......
 
IVAN

      Shabbos Blessings on you, Ivan!

    BTW....don't go away again...unless it's to a Tropical Island or something; I need these weekly blessings....

PARK4 and STONEY and BEAUTY AND RINGS,  On my way to the snow-birthday-party, as eager to meet all of you as to enjoy what STONEY promised earlier in the week to create for BEAUTY -- something elegant on toast points.  As I'll accomplish this miracle by imagination, no, they can't take it away....
 
You see, Villagers, "...you conquered me. When you did that to me, I knew somehow it had to be. ...the winds of March that made my heart a dancer, the telephone that rings, but who's to answer? Oh, how the ghost of you clings; these foolish things remind me of you."  From memory, singing at the computer, again barefooted, hot as hades here, so fill in the blanks if need be. I'll spare y'all my rendision and love of the other "list songs."  Oh, dear....  JP has put me in a mood, oh so easy to do.

PS Shabbos blessings on you, IVAN

rendiTion, I know, Mr. Editor.  Thank you for endearing enduring patience

Thank you, dear Ivan. x

"...the tinkling piano in the next apartment,
  those stumbling words that told you what my heart meant...."
 
JP, see what you did? To worsen matters, I read the new Owner's Manual.

Haze ~
I'm with you when it comes to the Hollywood crowd: both married, they fell in love on the set of….
Really? Is that what they're calling it?

Moose & CD ~
The deal with those Job's Daughters semi-formals was that a guy or at least this guy, didn't get to say no.
The cleavage thing would have been off-putting then and now.
The place for slut wear is on sluts not amateurs.

Lunch with rings90 was, as always, delightful. She just keeps getting prettier, smarter and more fun to talk to… a little old fashioned. That's nice.
Thank you my dear friend.
The Beauty as usual demurred wishing to keep real and virtual life separate.

Georgia ~
I know what you mean… I had Jud Frey on the brain for weeks.

Park4 ~What  you said about (not) cursing reminded me of something funny. I owe you that one.

Thanks Ivan.

 

More than any other truth, this one is far and above my
favorite.  They can’t take that away from
me. I keep everything that I cherish up here in my head and down here
in my heart.  Don’t tell me that I lost a
loved one because of death or departure; the loved ones are and always will be
with me. That is a simple truth that has worked for 60 years and I expect will
work for another 60 regardless of how forgetful I seem to be.  Somewhere in the depths of my soul they will
always be.  Somewhere in the depths of my
soul all y’all will always be and I thank the Maker of all things for this with
every breath I take. 

I have never given a second thought to the Oscars, but I do
know this, the award doesn’t impart truth or beauty and the award committee can’t
take either away.

Stoney, give my best wishes to TMBWITW.  Rings, the rule is if you share the birthday,
you share the best wishes.  That doesn’t
make them wished the less.

Y’all have a good weekend. 

I would link to a song but it’s hard to beat the opening
number.

It is, but you could always try paolos...and stoney, I'll be reminding you that you owe me that one.  ... But where did I say that?  It doesn't sound like me !

Cold, cold here. Brrrrrrr.

Mr. P will head to his farm.

Me?

I'm going to bundle up, stay warm, ignore the telephone, eat chili, watch a couple of movies and read, read, read.

And, of course, check in now and then to see what those of you in the Village are up to.

Enjoy yourselves.

You deserve it.

Happy Birthday, Beauty and rings90;****************** continue to enjoy your special day....***************************************************Bebruary 10th, 2012.
 Hellp me out I am not sure who Beauty is ; I have scanned the posts and relize I am not sure who this is.....anyone? ; just finally got in from the day out and about town...and will find a picture of my Dads hawaiian shirt; sure is a beauty...i wore all through college..a favorite of mine..Have a great weekend...its' snowing and I have to drive to Penn State Main Campus ...hope the snow is lite and wet....Good day!!!
' .

Someone tell me where RINGS' new job is, and whether or not UMGAWWAA's book is to see print.
 
STONEY, I know what you mean: when I sang "Jud Fry Is Daid, Pore Jud Frey is Daid" for you weeks ago, it bounced 'round in my head for days. Great songs from those wonderful shows. 
 
Ever, always, for thee, Renaissance Man, "Nessun Dorma,"  And for me.
 
RINGS, you are so lucky!  I may have to plan a trip to Chicago (or nearby? I'm geographically illiterate; y'all are learning all my secrets) just to meet STONEY.  If STONEY's there, can PL be far behind?  
 
Is anyone else, no matter your party, sick to death of politics? Especially of debates?

ps to Our Genial Host:  The Owner's Manual is a delight, and bless you for watercolors (rather than expensive photo shoots), 
 
But where, oh where are the '20s-flavored dresses for which I love you? Current movies offer more than a taste of the period; create hunger for more; and I depend on you....
 
"In the still of the night
  As I gaze from my window
  at the moon in its flights
  my thoughts all go to you...."
 
'Night, lovely people.  May you wake to unblemished snow.  Silence....

I should be asleep by now, but all this talk of songs has Georgia on my mind.

Lunch with rings90 was, as always, delightful. She just keeps getting prettier, smarter and more fun to talk to... a little old fashioned. That's nice.
Thank you my dear friend.

*Blushing*

Lunch with Stoney was also delightful on this end. It's fun to be able to hear all the tales he does not have the time to type up on a daily basis. I told the Bartender I was having lunch with an Elegant Gentleman, He seemed Skepitcal until Stoney came in.

A Very nice way to start off my Birthday year.

And your directions were Spot on - Thnak You.

Georgia - Beauty is Mrs. Stoney. I interviewed for a job down in Madison yesterday. village fingers are crossed that i will atually get it. :-)

RINGS, yes, I  know who Beauty is...add my ten to the fingers already crossed for you. I assume Madison means Wisconsin?  Your neck of the woods is exotic to me....

GEORGIA, Yes it will see print. I'm on my third and last proof printing and the missprints and grammatical screw ups have been addressed.

georgia - Yes Madison Wi - Lately the Protesting Capitol of Wisconsin, 

Shall we dance? What a silly question!!!