183 FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER 2014

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive – Johnny Mercer

Here’s another song from the “Your Hit Parade” series. I’ve always liked the attention-grabber solo trumpet at the start of the song. It asks you to listen carefully to the advice they’re about to impart. It has a very church-parable type of narrative. It is one of the few songs from that era that I’m sure would still resonate with younger generations.

I first heard Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive on “Bugsy”, the 1991 film directed by American University alumni Barry Levinson. The film starred Warren Beatty as Benjamin Siegel, the notorious American gangster who basically created Las Vegas. The song is used within the first minutes of the movie to establish Bugsy’s first days in Los Angeles. It was an effective way to introduce Siegel’s positive attitude in life, even if he only applied it to his criminal life.

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Week 27

These are the songs I picked between 26 December 2014 and 1 January 2015. I’ll talk about them next time.

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive – Johnny Mercer

My Red-Letter Day – Bob Walton, Jim Walton, Karen Ziemba … I considered briefly giving it to Sigourney Weaver but decided against it. Yes, you didn’t misread, Sigourney Weaver, the actress; I worked with her a few years back.  

Overture To “Pretty Lady”/With Plenty Of Money And You – Kate Levering (Dance) and Men …The curtain went up, and musical number after musical number, I could hear the man sitting next to me, gasping in delight when he recognised each one of the songs.  

Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra: II. Adagio – Pepe Romero, Barry Davis, Academy of St. Martin In the Fields & Sir Neville Marriner

Praeludium and Allegro in the Style of Pugnani – Henryk Szeryng & Charles Reiner

El Año Víejo – Tony Camargo … My parents didn’t throw too many parties, but when they did they were epic. 

Boom Ditty Boom – “70, Girls, 70” 1991 Original London Cast

Week 26

These are the songs I picked between 19 and 25 December 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.

Le Jazz Hot – Julie Andrews

Wonderful – Joel Grey, Idina Menzel … I can say with confidence that this is the only song from “Wicked” that I’ll include. I kind of don’t like the musical, it never grew on me. 

Gin/Wild – Mandy Patinkin, Toni Collette, Eartha Kitt … However, an alcohol and drugs infested party and populated with egotistical depraved characters may not have been the best place I could escape the Summer of 2000.

Our Favorite Son * – Keith Carradine, Caddy Huffman

Magic – Olivia Newton-John … I stopped being a dreamer many years ago, but I don’t think I’ve ever stopped being a hopeful, in a way I still believe in destiny.

(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo – Glenn Miller Orchestra

Why Don’t You Do Right – Peggy Lee & The Benny Goodman Orchestra

* Top 10 Contender

Week 25

These are the songs I picked between 12 and 18 December 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.

Finaletto Act II (Through The Years) * – Bren Barrett, Heidi Grant Murphy 

Enter You – Tori Spelling

Theme From New York, New York – Frank Sinatra

Married Life – Orchestra

Águas de Março * – Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina

Around the World – Buddy Greco

Last Dance * – Donna Summer

* Top 10 Contender

162 FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER 2014

I’m A Brass Band – Jacqueline Dankworth – Top 10 Contender

This is the second appearance of I’m A Brass Band on the list. This time around it comes from a studio cast recording of “Sweet Charity”. When I first introduced I’m A Brass Band, (See number 82, Week 12) I praised its uniqueness and naiveté for expressing the feeling of being loved.

Originally directed by Bob Fosse in 1966, and starring Gwen Verdon, “Sweet Charity” tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, an ever-hopeful taxi dancer in Times Square. Its source of inspiration was Fellini’s “Nights Of Cabiria”, where Cabiria (Charity) is a prostitute searching for love.

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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

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