NOTABLOG MONTHLY ARCHIVES: 2002 - 2020

FEBRUARY 25, 2007

Song of the Day: The Untouchables ("The Strength of the Righteous") is the main title to the 1987 film, composed by Ennio Morricone, who will be honored this evening at the 79th Annual Academy Awards with a long overdue Lifetime Achievement Award. The score to this film was nominated for a 1987 Academy Award for Best Original Score. Listen to an audio clip here. And so comes to an end our 2007 Film Music Tribute.

Comments

The Untouchables has a great score and is also a great movie. It sadly is not good history but who cares.

Posted by: Chris Grieb | March 4, 2007 07:32 PM

Agreed on all counts, Chris; I just can't resist the film, with its fine performances right down the line, especially Sean Connery, and, of course, Robert De Niro. That scene with him and a baseball bat brings new meaning to the word, "hit."

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | April 11, 2007 07:51 AM

FEBRUARY 24, 2007

Song of the Day: The Adventures of Robin Hood ("Duel, Victory, and Epilogue"), composed by the great Erich Korngold, is from one of the finest motion picture soundtracks of all time, winner of the 1938 Oscar for Best Original Score. From the rousing Errol Flynn swashbuckling adventure, listen to an audio clip here.

Comments

Many years ago I had a recording of Korngold's movie music. The Robin Hood score is one of his best.

Posted by: Chris Grieb | February 24, 2007 10:10 PM

Agreed, Chris; Korngold is one of the best!

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | April 11, 2007 07:49 AM

FEBRUARY 23, 2007

Song of the Day: Cheek to Cheek, music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, is featured in the classic Fred Astaire film, "Top Hat." It received a 1935 Oscar nomination in the "Best Song" category. Listen to audio clips of renditions by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and of course, from the original film, Fred Astaire. My favorite jazz rendition of this song is by alto sax player Phil Woods, "Live from the Showboat," an album that won the 1977 Grammy for "Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Group" (unfortunately no audio clip is available).

FEBRUARY 22, 2007

Song of the Day: Let's Hear it for Me is a John Kander and Fred Ebb gem sung in grand style by Barbra Streisand from the film "Funny Lady," the 1975 sequel to "Funny Girl. Listen to an audio clip from the original soundtrack here.

FEBRUARY 21, 2007

Spring Training is here, and that means that as the Yankees take Legends Field in Florida, Soap Opera takes Center Stage!

The media has been all over the changing relationship between Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter. A couple of days ago, A-Rod told reporters:

"Let's make a contract. . . . You don�t ask about Derek anymore, and I promise I�ll stop lying to you. Rodriguez went on to admit that he and Jeter were not the buddies they once were, while stressing that they function well as teammates. "We were best of friends about 10, 13 or 14 years ago, and we still get along well," Rodriguez said. "We have a good working relationship. I cheer very hard for him, and he cheers hard for me, and, more importantly, we�re both trying to win a world championship. We�ll leave it right there. . . . People are just assuming that things are a lot worse than what they are," Rodriguez said. "They�re not. But obviously, it's not as good as it used to be, when we were blood brothers. . . . You go from sleeping over at somebody's house five days a week and now you don't sleep over," Rodriguez said. "It's not that big of a deal."

Well, uh, A-Rod also got, uh, married. That could have helped to change his, uh, sleeping habits, no?

Oy vey. I could run with this one. (Biting tongue... trying hard not to say anything outrageous...)

So, Captain Jeter responded the day after:

"On the field and in the clubhouse, our relationship is fine," Jeter said before the workout. "Away from the field, people want to keep tabs on how many times we go out to eat. That has no bearing on what we're trying to do on the field. . . . I don't have a rift with Alex," Jeter said. "We go out there, we work together. This is our fourth year together. It's annoying to hear about it all the time. Everyone assumes they know what our relationship is. They see us on the field. If one person gives another one a look, it's a story. If we're at opposite ends of the bench, people say it's a story." Jeter, whose romantic life has turned up in the pages of gossip magazines, values his privacy. He said he considers his friendship with Rodriguez a private matter. "I understand my job is public," Jeter said. "But your private life is your private life. Once you open that door, it never stops. I don't feel it's necessary to talk about things that don't have to do with baseball. It doesn't have an impact on anything."

Asked to characterize his relationship with A-Rod, Jeter said further:

"How would I characterize it? I would characterize it as it doesn't make a difference," Jeter said. "I have a lot of relationships that have changed over 10 years. What we do away from the field, how much time we spend together, it makes no difference."

So, there you have it! Spring is in the air! Pretty soon we'll all be talking about the game, I hope!

Okay, so I have yet to watch this week's installments, but at least I know who the Top 24 are.

I'm very ambivalent... these folks have a lot to prove. In fact, my impression is that they may have gotten rid of a few people who should not have bit the dust.

What are your thoughts?

Comments

Back to AI 2007: I watched the guys last night and my verdict is in ... can we have a do over? Pathetic, absolutely pathetic. If the girls aren't any better, tomorrow will be the last show I watch this season.

p.s. Will someone shoot Ryan Seacrest? Please!

Posted by: Mick Russell | February 21, 2007 08:52 AM

Chris, I hate to give spoilers here, but...

I watched the guys last night and I've never seen such a group of tedious, lackluster, uninspired performers. Not even "Vote for the Worst" snark can make this group interesting.

I'm very disappointed. I hope the girls do better tonight.

Posted by: Peri Sword | February 21, 2007 09:02 AM

*breathes sigh of relief*

WHEW!

After Tuesday night's dismal performances by the guys, I was *this close* to turning off my television to AI this season and perhaps forever. On Tuesday night, I truly thought that Randy, Paula, Simon, Ryan and a dozen other insipid characters had pulled a Fonzie and collectively "jumped the shark." In a way, I was relieved--if this was the best the season had to offer, I would finally be loose from AI's iron grip.

Wednesday night sent the spector of "Jaws" back into the ocean. Leave it to the women to save the day. In the group of a dozen women, at least four of them were very good and one other came close to brilliant. With only two exceptions, the women's performances topped the gentlemen (true, the gentlemen set that bar very low, but still...)

Da*n. Looks like I'm hooked for another season. ;-)

Posted by: Peri Sword | February 22, 2007 09:28 AM

Good points here; but for additional AI discussion, see here.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | April 11, 2007 07:47 AM

Song of the Day: King of Wishful Thinking features the words and music of Martin Page, and Peter Cox and Richard Drummie of Go West. This hit song, an ode to heartbreak, was featured on the soundtrack for "Pretty Woman" (audio clip at that link).

FEBRUARY 20, 2007

Song of the Day: Star Wars ("Main Theme"), composed by John Williams, is from the classic soundtrack that won the 1977 Oscar for Best Original Score. Listen to an audio clip of this famous theme here.

FEBRUARY 19, 2007

Song of the Day: Singin' in the Rain, music by Nacio Herb Brown, lyrics by Arthur Freed, was first heard in the "Hollywood Revue of 1929," but was immortalized in the 1952 film by Gene Kelly. That film, with its classic screenplay by the late great Betty Comden and Adolph Green, is one of Hollywood's grand musicals. Listen to an audio clip from the film here.

FEBRUARY 18, 2007

Song of the Day: Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, was the 1955 Oscar winner for Best Song from the film of the same title. Listen to audio clips from the Four Aces, Frank Sinatra, and Barry Manilow.

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

Song of the Day: Ben-Hur ("Homecoming"), composed by the great Miklos Rozsa, opens my annual film music tribute, which will extend through Oscar Day, February 25, 2007. This year, I will feature a mix of cues and songs from the movies. Today also happens to be my birthday; as in 2005 and 2006, I choose a track from my favorite film score of all time. Listen to an audio clip here.

Comments

Happy Birthday, Chris!
I wish you all the best!
Just Ken

Posted by: Kenneth R, Gregg | February 22, 2007 10:08 PM

Ken, your kind words on the occasion of my birthday were most appreciated! A little late in replying... but never too late to say "thanks"...

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | April 11, 2007 07:48 AM

FEBRUARY 14, 2007

Song of the Day: K.I.S.S.I.N.G., words and music by Dana Merino and Guy Babylon, is only one of many kissing songs that could be noted on this day. This one is sung in grand style by Siedah Garrett; an audio clip of the album version is available here. That version, however, does not compare remotely to the Shep Pettibone and Steve Peck house remixes that Garrett recorded separately for a 12" vinyl single (a Brothers in Rhythm remix followed some years later). Happy Valentine's Day!

Comments

Hope you had a happy Valentine's Day!

I was talking about saying Happy Lupercalia!. To Pagan friends who may appreciate it. It's interesting to learn about the history of where modern day holidays came from too.

Posted by: Nick Manley | February 15, 2007 08:37 AM

Thanks for the pagan greeting, Nick; sorry my reply here has been so delayed. It's after Easter! Any thoughts about the Easter Bunny? :)

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | April 11, 2007 07:46 AM

FEBRUARY 07, 2007

Song of the Day: That's My Desire, music by Helmy Kresa, lyrics by Carroll Loveday, was a huge hit for Frankie Laine, who passed away yesterday at the age of 93. His voice was one of those heard in the household of my youth; I will never forget some of his famous recordings. Listen to audio clips of this classic here and here.

Comments

This is sad news. Frankie Laine would often perform at various venues in and around San Diego. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Laine when I donated a guitar to one of his charities. He was a genuinely nice man. You can read his hometown obituary here.

Posted by: Mick Russell | February 7, 2007 09:21 AM

The link I gave in my previous post was from the AP. The San Diego Union Tribune wrote a nice obituary for Frankie Laine here.

Posted by: Mick Russell | February 7, 2007 09:46 AM

Hey, Mick, this reply is late in coming... but thanks very much for the extra link on the Lane obit. A real loss.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | April 11, 2007 07:44 AM

FEBRUARY 01, 2007

Song of the Day: If You Go Away, words and music by Jacques Brel (English translation by Rod McKuen), speaks of a "summer day" ... which is precisely what I'd like right now. There's not too much to complain about this winter in New York City, as it has been milder than usual. However, we are expecting a bit of snow, ice, and rain tonight. Ugh. But hey, only 14 days till pitchers and catchers report to the Yankee Spring Training Camp! In any event, this is a terrific song that has been recorded by artists such as Damita Jo, Frank Sinatra, and Dusty Springfield (audio clips at those links). I first heard this song when my sister-in-law, Joanne Barry, performed it at Gil Hodges' Grand Slam Cocktail Lounge.

Comments

A big oops... I just added the famous pop hit of Damita Jo. Hat tip to JR.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | February 2, 2007 09:36 AM