Monthly Archives: October 2015

WEEK 47 / 15 – 21 MAY 2015

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323 FRIDAY 15 MAY 2015

NYC – Alicia Morton, Audra McDonald, Victor Garber, Andrea McArdle

Annie (Original Soundtrack)

You would think this is a song I would have placed on the list sooner. The thing is that I have five or six versions of this song in my iTunes Library. I’ve settled for this one from the 1999 TV movie because it features Victor Garber, an actor who is so easy to watch, and Audra McDonald – I haven’t included enough of her on the list.

In an earlier entry, I wrote about how despite Annie being a very popular show since the 1970s, it was only in 2011 that I discovered the musical. I always thought it was a kid’s show, but I was surprised to find out how smart it was.

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WEEK 46 / 8 – 14 MAY 2015

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316 FRIDAY 8 MAY 2015 (-50) – THE LAST 50 SONGS

King Kong March – Moscow Symphony Orchestra

Steiner_ King Kong

I always saw my maternal grandparents as individual beings. They were just “Abuela” and “Abuelo”. I never saw them as a couple. They were so different that I’ve always wondered what brought them together.

My grandfather Domingo was a peculiar fellow, to say the least. There are stories of him that, to this day, my mother and aunt can still marvel at when they reminisce. If the guy felt low on iron, he’d put iron nails on a glass of water, let them soak overnight, and drink the water the following day. He’d argue that getting his iron dosage was a practical way. Were there any pesky ghosts or apparitions disturbing your peace at home? Not a problem. As a self-taught scholar of spiritualism and founding member of “La Sociedad Espiritista de Maracaibo”, he could organise a séance at short notice to get all paranormal activity under control at your home.

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COMING UP – WEEK 46 PREVIEW

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HOW TO PACK 365 SONGS IN A SUITCASE

Week 46 Preview

317 I Wish I Were In Love Again – Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney … I’ve always been fascinated with this cleaver ditty’s lyrics. What is “the faint aroma of performing seals”? Is that a reference to the aroma of sex? I’ve always wondered.

WEEK 45 / 1 – 7 MAY 2015

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309 FRIDAY 1 MAY 2015

Hello, Hello – Liza Minnelli

Liza's At the Palace - Act II

God bless Liza! The woman has had her ups and downs for most of her career. The press well documented her struggles with drug addiction and alcohol dependency. However, no doubt La Minnelli got her mother’s performing genes. Just like Judy Garland did in her day, Liza has always managed to leave her demons behind every now and then just to give her audience some amazing live performances. Case in point, “Liza’s At the Palace”.

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WEEK 44 / 24 – 30 APRIL 2015

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302 FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2015

The Dance Sequence (It’s De-Lovely/Anything Goes/There’s Nothing Like Swimming/I’ve Got You Under My Skin/Get Out of Town/I’ve Got My Eyes on You/You’re the Top) – Orchestra  

057 Evil Under the Sun (Music from the Original Soundtrack)

This isn’t the first time I have included a cut from this gorgeous soundtrack. Mostly like with “The Grotto” (See Week 09 – 57. Friday 22 August 2014), The Dance Sequence is a medley of Cole Porter’s songs used in the 1982 film “Evil Under the Sun.” The Agatha Christie mystery featured many stars, including Peter Ustinov, Maggie Smith, Roddy McDowell and Diana Rigg. The fabulous piece is used to show a montage of the whereabouts of all the characters when a glamorous star is murdered on the beach. A particular Porter song is used throughout the film as a character’s theme. At this moment, all the tunes come together to frame the movie sequence. The superb arrangement comes courtesy of John Lanchberry, the only arranger I’ve given credit on this list.

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COMING UP – WEEK 44 PREVIEW

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HOW TO PACK 365 SONGS IN A SUITCASE

Week 44 Preview

The Dance Sequence – Orchestra

Don’t Rain On My Parade – Barbra Streisand

The Girl From Ipanema – João Gilberto & Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto

Guys and Dolls – Walter Bobbie, J.K. Simmons

Before the Parade Passes By – Carol Channing

Il Postino Poeta – Orchestra

Seeing Things – Brent Barrett