Blue Skies is probably my favorite Irving Berlin song. I chose this song because it was on this day in 1976 that the Muppet Show premiered. One of the first times I heard the song was when it was sung by a bunch of Muppet Prairie Dogs on the show. Berlin composed the song in … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday – Blue Skies
Tag: Ella Fitzgerald
Great American Songbook Saturday – Stardust
Today, I want to feature the amazing Hoagy Carmichael song, Stardust. I'm positive that the first time I heard this song was in the late 70's when my grandpa used to play Willie Nelson's Stardust album on cassette. When they first got their trailer/cottage up north, they didn't have a TV right away, so we … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday – Stardust
Song Lyric Sunday – I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Every Sunday Jim Adams hosts Song Lyric Sunday. This week he's charged us with picking a song that mentions bare, birthday suit, buff, exposed, liberated, naked, naturist, nude, or skin. Now I admit that there are plenty of songs to choose from. However, and call me a prude if you want, many of those songs … Continue reading Song Lyric Sunday – I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Great American Songbook Saturday – I Got Rhythm
Gene Kelly's 114th birthday is tomorrow. Title: KELLY, GENE • Pers: KELLY, GENE • Year: 1954 • Ref: XKE001AD • Credit: [ THE KOBAL COLLECTION ] He has certainly sung his share of songs from the Great American Songbook. Everyone knows Singin' in the Rain, but he also did Almost Like Being In Love, Grand … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday – I Got Rhythm
Great American Songbook Saturday
One of the greatest men to tickle the ivories was born today 101 years ago. Oscar Peterson was born on August 15, 1925. He was born in Canada and is considered to be one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. He has released more than 200 recordings, is a winner of eight Grammy … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday
Song Lyric Sunday
It is Sunday once again and it is time once again for Song Lyric Sunday, hosted by Jim Adams. This week's challenge is to feature a song included in the “Great American Songbook.” The topic was suggested by my friend Nancy of the Elephant’s Trunk aka The Sicilian Storyteller. For someone like me, who loves … Continue reading Song Lyric Sunday
El That Jazz
The month is almost over, but did you know that it is National Jazz Appreciation Month? According to the National Day Calendar, "Throughout the month of April we celebrate the heritage and history of jazz. As a truly American art form, jazz's soulful and rich culture dates back to the 1890s." It goes on to … Continue reading El That Jazz
Tune Tuesday – Jerome Kern
Born on this day 141 years ago, one of the great contributors to the Great American Songbook - Jerome Kern. He was born January 27, 1885. Jerome Kern was one of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century. He wrote more than 700 songs that were used in over 100 stage … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Jerome Kern
Happy 79th Birthday, Pop!
If you have read my blogs in the past, you know that it consists of a mixture of pop culture things (like movie, TV and music thoughts) and personal things (radio stories, school memories, and things from my childhood). As I thought about today's blog topic, I realized that without this man in my life … Continue reading Happy 79th Birthday, Pop!
Torme’ Centennial
Happy 100th birthday to the late, great Mel Torme'!! Melvin Howard Tormé was an American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor, and author. He was a jazz icon. He won two Grammy Awards and was nominated a total of 14 times. Mel grew up in a largely black neighborhood and was heavily influenced by jazz. He was a … Continue reading Torme’ Centennial
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 