Monthly Archives: April 2015

COMING UP – WEEK 24 PREVIEW

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Week 24

These are the songs I picked between 5 and 10 December 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.

I’m A Brass Band * – Jacqueline Dankworth … I sensed my heart’s wings spread and seize my spirit to a glorious height that I hoped had a no-return way. 

There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This – Shirley Maclaine, Paula Kelly, Chita Rivera

The Surrey With the Fringe On Top – Phillip Sametz, Grahame Conlon – The Mell-O-Tones 

Taking A Chance On Love * – Ethel Waters, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson … You grow up with the idea that there’s someone for you … However, nobody tells you about the gambling game you’ll have to play to win everlasting love.

I’ve Gotta Hear That Beat – Ann Miller … Remember the over enthusiastic, hyperkinetic, eager girl who went to high school with you? Well, she grew up to become Ann Miller. 

Sweet Sue, Just You – John Green & His Orchestra

Gimme Gimme * – Sutton Foster

* Top 10 Contender

WEEK 23 – 28 NOVEMBER TO 4 DECEMBER 2014

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155 FRIDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2014

Processional & Maria (The Wedding) – Audra McDonald, Jessica Molaskey, Elena Shaddow & Christiane Noll

The Sound of Music (Music from the NBC Television Event)

Here’s another song from “The Sound Of Music Live”. I know many people hated it because; well, basically, because these days, people find it easier to hate than to praise. I enjoyed it because not only it was a live event and faithful to its original 1959 theatrical format, but also because of the influence it may have had on children watching it. While I watched the musical, I thought of the number of youngsters whose lives changed that night. I thought of the number of kids and teens who fell under the spell of musical theatre. I can only imagine the number of boys and girls who were moved to sign up for the next school musical, singing or dancing lessons. I can’t help but wonder how many people, a few years from now, will cite viewing this TV show as the source of inspiration for them to pursue a career in theatre.

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COMING UP – WEEK 23 PREVIEW

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Week 23

These are the songs I picked between 28 November and 4 December 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.

Processional & Maria (The Wedding) – Audra McDonald, Jessica Molaskey, Elena Shaddow & Christiane Noll … I know many people hated it (“The Sound Of Music Live”) because; well, basically because these days people find it easier to hate than to praise. 

Everybody Dance * – Gregory Harrison, Rosa Curry, Mary Illes, Sarah Solie Shannon

Second Chance * – Karen Ziemba, Daniel McDonald … Second Chance is considered by many (maybe only me) the most hopeful and poetic song written by Kander and Ebb.   

Strike Up the Band – Brent Barrett

Soon – Brent Barrett, Rebecca Luker

As If We Never Said Goodbye – Patti Lupone … I’m the first one surprise with the inclusion of an Andrew Lloyd Webber song on the list. I’ve seen many of his shows, but never really liked them.

La Candela / Bemba Colora / Quimbara / Yerbero Moderno – Angela Carrasco, Celia Cruz

* Top 10 Contender

WEEK 22 – 21 TO 27 NOVEMBER 2014

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148 FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2014

Shall We Dance? – Gotan Project – Top 10 Contender

Shall We Dance_ (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)

Just like cricket, ballroom dancing is one of those pastimes that I have never fully understood. I mean, don’t get me wrong, they do seem like fun activities, at least ballroom does. But I don’t see the point of both being taken so seriously, lest being professional disciplines with championships and world cups. However, I’m a sucker for movies where ordinary people get their moment to shine under the spotlight of such pastimes. That is why I’ve liked movies such as 1991’s “Stepping Out”, and 2004’s “Shall We Dance?”. In the former, La Minnelli teaches a group of misfits to tap so they get to excel in a dance recital. In the latter, La Lopez coaches another group of everyday people for a ballroom competition.

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COMING UP – WEEK 22 PREVIEW

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Week 22

These are the songs I picked between 21 and 27 November 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.

Shall We Dance? * – Gotan Project

Pedro Navaja – Rubén Blades

Good Morning * – Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds 

Reunion And Finale – Orchestra

I Could Drive a Person Crazy – Christopher Durang, Scott Frankel

So Many People – Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis

The Sound of Music – Carrie Underwood

* Top 10 Contender

WEEK 21 – 14 TO 20 NOVEMBER 2014

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141 FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2014

The Lady Is A Tramp – Frank Sinatra

The Reprise Collection (Disc 1)

Women are better than men at many things, that became clear to me early on in my life.

My mother was much better at managing our household than my father ever was. My elementary school teachers were all women, and they were great; a young man taught me in the 5th grade, and he was very *meh*. Women’s dominance became more evident when I started university. You see I had chosen a field of studies that had traditionally been dominated by women. At the time, Psychology was a career choice mostly for girls, that may still be the case. Right from the start, I knew that most of those young women were going to be much better in the field than I would ever be. It wasn’t a threat, it was a fact and I was okay with it.

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COMING UP – WEEK 21 PREVIEW

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Week 21

These are the songs I picked between 14 and 20 November 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.

The Lady Is A Tramp – Frank Sinatra … Right from the start I knew that most of those of young women were going to be much better than I would ever be. It wasn’t a threat, it was a fact and I couldn’t care less.

I Want To Be Happy – Ella Fitzgerald

I Will Never Leave You – Emily Skinner, Alice Ripley … Although the original staging may have flopped, it certainly made stars out of Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley, who both received a shared Tony nomination for their role in the show. 

A Wonderful Day Like Today – Cyril Richard, Anthony Newley

Shall We Dance? * – Ben Kingsley, Julie Andrews … Am I the only one who thinks Shall We Dance is a love-letter to one-night stands? 

Go Back Home – Brandon Victor Dixon, Cody Ryan Wise

It’s Not Where You Start – Tommy Tune

* Top 10 Contender

WEEK 20 – 07 TO 13 NOVEMBER 2014

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134 FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2014

Loving You – Judy Kuhn & Ryan Silverman

Passion ((2013 New York Cast Recording))

So, last week I left you with a cliff-hanger. I’m afraid Fosca is not dead yet.

She has already manipulated Giorgio into writing a letter where he claims he wishes he could forget her. Now she tells him what her love for him is all about.

Loving You is the song that unmasks Fosca as a conniving, manipulative, self-centred old twat who only cares about herself and uses her frail condition as a weapon to get what she wants. She may not have the strength of a wife-beater, but she certainly uses the same excuses an abuser would use to justify his actions. “Loving you is why I do the things I do. Loving you is not in my control.” In her little world, putting the blame on others is a valid reason to inflict pain and anguish on the people around her.

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COMING UP – WEEK 20 PREVIEW

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Week 20

These are the songs I picked between 07 and 13 November 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.

Loving You – Judy Kuhn & Ryan Silverman … I believe Sondheim, who has said he didn’t fall in love until he was 60, understood Fosca. At the end, he allows her to briefly see what love really is before she dies.

Haben Sie Gehört Das Deutsche Band? – Brad Oscar

I Wanna Be a Producer – Matthew Broderick, Ensemble

Our Love Is Here To Stay – Michael Feinstein … Ira poignantly penned the lyrics after George’s death, making it perhaps the ultimate song about fraternal love. 

Journey On – Peter Friedman, Mark Jacoby, Marin Mazzie … Father is touched by the sight of people arriving to the new country and salutes their courage, “You’re a brave man whoever you are; coming so far, expecting so much”

What A Game – Mark Jacoby, Alex Strange

The Coffee Song – Frank Sinatra