NOTABLOG MONTHLY ARCHIVES: 2002 - 2020

JUNE 30, 2006

Song of the Day: The Frog, words and music by Joao Donato, is a highlight from "Look Around," a Sergio Mendes-Brasil 66 album. Listen to an audio clip of that version here, and to a recent "Timeless" version as well (featuring Q-Tip).

JUNE 29, 2006

Song of the Day: All Night Passion, words and music by Rick Tarbox, was a hot mid-80s dance hit recorded by Alisha. Listen to audio clips of the original version and the extended dance remix here.

JUNE 28, 2006

Song of the Day: Climb Ev'ry Mountain features the words of Oscar Hammerstein II and the music of today's birthday boy, Richard Rodgers. It is a highlight from one of my favorite all-time musicals, "The Sound of Music," sung in the 1965 film version by the character Mother Abbess, played by Peggy Wood. Listen to audio clips of this uplifting song from the 1965 soundtrack album, as well as from the original 1959 Broadway production, the 1961 London production, the 1987 studio cast album, and the 1998 Broadway revival.

Comments

Thank you for the much-needed reminder of this song. It's one of my favorites, from a movie I also enjoy very much.

Posted by: Sunni | June 29, 2006 10:14 AM

As an aside: I just saw an article in that bastion of intellectuality, "People" that four great-grandchildren of one of the real Von Trapp children perform as singers today, and they are making a Christmas movie.

Posted by: Peri | July 1, 2006 12:26 PM

Sunni, glad you liked the selection, and Peri, thanks for that reminder. I saw a feature on that as well...

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | July 7, 2006 06:11 AM

JUNE 27, 2006

Song of the Day: Just in Time, words and music by Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Jule Styne, has been performed by many artists through the years (and it has been spoofed too). Listen especially to audio clips of renditions by Tony Bennett, Nina Simone, and Judy Garland, whose funeral was held at the Campbell Funeral Home in New York City on this day in 1969. It was the same day that many gays, in mourning over the passing of this cultural icon, took to the streets in response to a routine police raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. And so was born the Gay Liberation Movement.

Posted by chris at 07:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | Posted to Music
Comments

Chris,
What kind of involvement, if any, did you have in the Gay Liberation Movement? Sounds like it had it's beginnings in your part of town. You've been a NYC boy all your life, right?

Posted by: Nick Manley | June 29, 2006 01:52 AM

Nick, the Gay Liberation Movement long precedes my adult years. I was 9 years old when the Stonewall Riots occurred, and was a sickly teenager throughout the 70s.

But I was a bit of a campus libertarian radical in the early 80s, and did take many principled stands on gay and lesbian issues in my role as Chair of the NYU chapter of Students for a Libertarian Society.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | July 7, 2006 06:10 AM

JUNE 26, 2006

Song of the Day: Making Love, music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, was the title song to the 1982 film about the love that dare not speak its name. Listen to an audio clip of the original, sensitive, understated rendition by Roberta Flack.

JUNE 25, 2006

Song of the Day: It's Raining Men, words and music by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer, was performed with Diva gusto by those "two tons o' fun": The Weather Girls. Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead tore up the dance floors with this one. The song was re-recorded by Geri Halliwell for the soundtrack of the 2001 film, "Bridget Jones's Diary" (audio clip at that link). But nothing compares to the original (audio clip at that link). Just the right song for a Gay-Day Parade in NYC, even it has been raining (literally) on and off for days.

Comments

Hi Chris, are you attending the parade today? If so, have a great time!

For years, I lived in the midst of San Diego's equivalent to NYC's Christopher Street and San Franciso's Castro district, Hillcrest. Pride Weekend was always a lot of fun; I could watch some of the parade contingents line up right outside my window. One of my neighbors had children who set up a lemonade stand on Pride Weekend every year: Michael and I called them "the budding Capitalists." Those kids always had a lot of business that weekend!

I lived in Hillcrest during the search for Andrew Cunanan. A lot of that story was kept quiet by the local press because the publisher's son was a major closet case and...well, who knows? Our underground weekly had a lot more news about the case than our local mainstream press ever did. To the relief of the community, the search for Andrew Cunanan came to its sad end right before Pride Weekend (rumors had been flying that he would show back up in San Diego that weekend and do something monstrous). It was surreal to see my little neighborhood on national news broadcasts that weekend and see people I had actually met in my neighborhood being interviewed by nationally-known broadcast journalists.

Sorry to go off on a tangent there...your mentioning Pride just brought back a lot of memories of living in Hillcrest, which is one of my favorite San Diego neighborhoods.

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 25, 2006 11:38 AM

Not a tangent at all, Peri: This was all very relevant. Thanks so much for the story about San Diego, and about that tragic Cunnan business.

No parading for me today, but lots of celebrating. If you folks ever come out to NYC, let me take you on the Stonewall Tour. :) I'll be mentioning Stonewall in a couple of days, on the occasion of the anniversary of that great libertarian event.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 25, 2006 03:39 PM

JUNE 24, 2006

Over the years, I've watched more than a few Aaron Spelling productions. I learned late last night that Spelling, 83, passed away.

I know, I know, some of you will say: Mindless Entertainment. But from the Eighties Excess of "Dynasty" to the Nineties Nightime Soap "Beverly Hills 90210," his productions provided me with many entertaining hours.

He was a major force in television for many years, and also played an important role in bringing quality productions, such as "And the Band Played On," to the small screen.

Comments

I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Spelling's death. You know, we need "mindless entertainment" every once in awhile, and my college memories would be less colorful without having the "Dynasty" parties to look back on.

I had no idea Spelling had a part in brining "And the Band Played On," to television.

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 24, 2006 10:05 AM

Peri,
This is off topic but just wanted to alert you to this.

Was happy to see a fellow Joseph Heller fan ( :

Posted by: Nick Manley | June 24, 2006 10:23 PM

I was reminded that Spelling, of course, produced "Charlie's Angels," about which I wrote this spoof. That was, apparently, linked at The Women's Center at UMBC, seriously? That's what I was recently told!

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 25, 2006 03:36 PM

Wasn't Spelling the guy, who also produced "Charmed", which actually wasn't a that bad show (despite the sometimes feel-good solutions).

Posted by: Max | June 25, 2006 05:25 PM

What I didn't know, but learned from the obit, was that he was married to Morticia Addams!

Posted by: Aeon J. Skoble | June 26, 2006 09:05 AM

Aeon: Morticia wasn't Tori's mother, was she? If so, no wonder Tori is SOOOO scary!

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 26, 2006 09:54 AM

No, Tori's mom is the second wife.

Posted by: Aeon J. Skoble | June 26, 2006 10:51 AM

Sorry to hear that Mr.Spelling passed away ) :. Didn't mean to detract from the sad theme of the post by mentioning something irrelevant.

Posted by: Nick Manley | June 26, 2006 09:02 PM

It is my understanding that this year's Emmy Awards broadcast might feature a tribute to Spelling. So stay tuned; it is shown live on NBC on Sunday, August 27th---and, not so coincidentally, my "Song of the Day" postings will be in the middle of my Second Annual Tribute to TV Themes. :)

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | August 13, 2006 09:07 AM

Song of the Day: One More Night features the words and music of K. Kama, Frank Berman, Christian Berman, and Marie Claire Cremers, who recorded this hypnotic club hit, and who goes by the name of Amber. Listen to audio clips of different remixes here (very few of which even get to the vocals!).

JUNE 23, 2006

Song of the Day: Sunshine of Your Love, words and music by Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Peter Brown, was a huge hit for Cream. Listen here to an audio clip of this steamy track with its classic rock guitar riff. And for a change of pace, check out an audio clip of a rendition by Ella Fitzgerald!

Comments

A classic, to be sure, and it also has sentimental appeal to me: it was the very first song I learned to play when I was learning guitar. (I'm hardly unique in that, I'm sure!)

Posted by: Aeon J. Skoble | June 23, 2006 09:20 AM

Ella covered this? Amazing! Thanks for the tip, Chris!

(And Aeon, I got a chuckle about your memory of this song being the first song you learned to play on guitar. I remember so many long-haird would-be rock gods I knew in my misspent youth who quite proudly would play that riff to their friends.)

Posted by: Peri | June 25, 2006 12:05 PM

The Ella recording surprised me too!

But that riff... so many cut their teeth on that. :)

Other classic rock guitar riffs? Black Dog?

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 25, 2006 03:33 PM

JUNE 22, 2006

Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime (La Valse Des Lilas) features the music of Michel Legrand and E. Barclay, the French lyrics of Eddie Marnay, and the English lyrics of Johnny Mercer. Listen to audio clips of sensitive renditions by Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Blossom Dearie, trumpeters Chet Baker and Miles Davis (with Gil Evans), and one of its composers, on piano: Michel Legrand.

JUNE 21, 2006

Song of the Day: So Nice (Summer Samba) features the music of Marcos Valle and the lyrics of Paulo Sergio Valle (audio clip of the original Portuguese lyrics at that link) and Norman Gimbel (writer of the English lyrics). So nice to hear this on the day of the Summer Solstice, which arrives this morning. Listen to audio clips of this lovely tune by Nancy Ames and a famous organ rendering by Walter Wanderley.

JUNE 20, 2006

Song of the Day: So Many Tears, words and music by Z. Mark and O. Oestricher, originally appeared on Regina Belle's album "All By Myself" (audio clip at that link). Listen also to an alternative audio clip of this R&B track here, featuring a jazzy saxophone in its opening bars.

JUNE 19, 2006

Song of the Day: So Many Stars, words and music by Sergio Mendes and Alan and Marilyn Bergman, is a lovely ballad featured on the Brasil 66 album, "Look Around" (audio clip at that link).

Comments

You can't go wrong with anything by Brasil 66. Lani Hall is a fantastic vocalist. I wish her solo recordings from the 70's would be reissued on cd. Her version of "Come Down In Time" is sublime.

Posted by: Mick Russell | June 22, 2006 12:44 AM

Some really love stuff has come from Lani Hall, Mick. And I'm a long-time B66 fan.

Just wonderful.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 25, 2006 03:31 PM

JUNE 18, 2006

Tom Stone continues to post draft chapters on his all-time baseball teams. Yesterday, he posted on his selections for the Yankees All-Time Team, and I largely agree with all his choices.

If Alex Rodriguez ever comes into his own at third base, he might give players like Graig Nettles a run for the money, but Lord... the jury is still out. (I used to have debates all the time with a friend, who used to be a fan of Clete Boyer, and who insisted Boyer was better than Nettles. But I keep thinking of Nettles flying through the air and that's enough for me.)

My only possible divergence from Tom is in terms of the Extra Spot on the roster. I know Dave Winfield had good numbers, but I can't shake that impression of him as "Mr. May"... whereas when a guy like Thurmon Munson was in the World Series, he was a real clutch hitter.

In any event, it's a very enjoyable discussion for Yankee fans... check it out!

Comments

Okay, you intrigued me ... I looked at his chapter for the Cincinnati Reds, and he's mostly spot on. Where I---and likely many people who saw both players in action---would differ is his putting Barry Larkin ahead of Dave Concepcion. But that isn't surprising, because Concepcion seems to be destined to be the greatest but most forgotten shortstop in baseball.

Posted by: Sunni | June 21, 2006 09:52 AM

I always think of Dave Winfield as a Padre. In fact, I'm pretty sure he entered the Hall of Fame as a Padre.

Posted by: Mick Russell | June 22, 2006 12:54 AM

Ah, Dave Winfield, the arrogant bastard who got away from us in San Diego...to the YANKEES! :*(

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 25, 2006 12:06 PM

LOL... well, I think Winfield did enter a Padre!

And Sunni: Good points about those Reds.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 25, 2006 03:30 PM

Song of the Day: Song for My Father, written and performed by hard-bop pianist Horace Silver, is perfectly appropriate for all the fathers out there, to whom I wish a Happy Father's Day. And listen here to an audio clip of this ever-quotable track (hope you enjoy this one, Peri!).

Comments

Thank you for posting this song, Chris! :-)

Michael and I had the pleasure of seeing the "Hard Bop Grandpop" about ten years ago at the original Yoshi's in Oakland.

Mr Silver put on a wonderful show and was extremely approachable...and how! Michael and I went to chat with him during the break and stood by the stage. Mr. Silver took an unfortunate step and started to fall off the stage and Michael caught him as he fell! (Lest this be misconstrued, please let me emphasize Mr. Silver was completely sober and just took a bad step!) So, in a way, it was a mutual approachment...:-)

He was a sweet, jolly and kindly person and it makes me smile to think of him working with the tetchy Miles...

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 19, 2006 09:44 AM

What a great story, Peri!

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 25, 2006 03:29 PM

JUNE 17, 2006

Song of the Day: Got To Get You Into My Life, words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, was a hit for the Beatles, from their album, "Revolver." Tomorrow, Paul McCartney turns 64. Yes, Sir Paul: We still need you! Like so many of the Lennon-McCartney songs, this one has been covered by many other artists (including my sister-in-law). Listen to audio clips of a hit rendition by Earth, Wind, and Fire and another by Ella Fitzgerald.

Comments

I'm so glad you brought up the Lennon/McCartney! I'm a Beatlemaniac; became one 6 years after they broke up. (I guess I was a little slow on the uptake there, but I was only 6 months old when they first landed at JFK).

This is such a happy song, full of energy. I'm glad you had a link to the EW&F version...one of the few bright spots the cinematic mess that was "Sgt. Pepper" movie of 1978, starring the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton (although I saw it 8 times in the theater when it was originally released--Peter Frampton and Barry Gibb were SOOOO CUTE! ***squeals like the 13-year-old she was at that time***).

Thanks for bringing back some memories.

Sir Paul could probably use our support right now, too. :-)

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 17, 2006 12:17 PM

Yes, indeed, Peri---and I too love the Beatles. :)

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 25, 2006 03:28 PM

JUNE 16, 2006

Song of the Day: Kissing a Fool features the words and music of George Michael, who first recorded the song in 1987. It has a retro jazzy feel that has been captured as well by Michael Buble. Listen to audio clips by George Michael and Michael Buble.

Comments

"Careless Whisper" would have been my first choice of George Michael songs, although this one's a goody, too.

I heard "Careless Whisper" for the first time in a dance club in the 80's (ah, my misspent youth!) and even on first hearing it sounded to me like a classic song that had been around forever. Once heard, you cannot imagine life being without it. The haunting sax solo taking off from the chorus...timeless.

Posted by: Peri | June 17, 2006 02:43 PM

I liked "Careless Whisper" too; in fact, I think Michael has had, through his recording career, a nice R&B sensibility, and have enjoyed him a lot.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 25, 2006 03:27 PM

JUNE 15, 2006

Song of the Day: Devil with a Blue Dress On, words and music by William Stevenson and Frederick Long, was made famous by Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels. It's a rockin' rock 'n roll record, which sports a "Good Golly Miss Molly" interlude. And it's oh-so-appropriate as Song of the Day #666. Listen to an audio clip here.

JUNE 14, 2006

Song of the Day: Around the World in 80 Days features the music of Victor Young and the lyrics of Harold Adamson (with an uncredited tip of the hat to Kurt Feltz and Gasta Rybrant). It was heard in the 1956 film of the same title. Victor Young's score (audio clip at that link) won an Academy Award in the category of "Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture." Listen to audio clips from the 1956 soundtrack (unrelated to the soundtrack to the 2004 remake). Also check out audio clips of lovely vocal renditions by Bing Crosby and the McGuire Sisters.

JUNE 13, 2006

Song of the Day: All Around the World features the words and music of Ian Devaney, Andy Morris, and the woman who sang it: Lisa Stansfield. Listen to an audio clip of this soulful R&B-laced hit here.

Comments

Good call. Lisa Stansfield was pretty underrated 10 years ago, and is now largely ignored, but I always thought she had a great voice and terrific soul stylings. Retro in a good way, not cliched or plagiaristic.

Posted by: Aeon J. Skoble | June 11, 2006 02:28 PM

I agree, Aeon; she has a genuine soul voice and nice phrasing. She is still performing in the UK, and has recorded a few American standards as well. See here.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 16, 2006 08:01 AM

JUNE 12, 2006

Song of the Day: Dear Alice, music by Chick Corea, lyrics by Gayle Moran, is from one of my favorite Chick Corea albums of all time: "The Mad Hatter." Listen here and here to audio clips of this highlight from the album, featuring a superb bass solo by Eddie Gomez. And Happy Birthday, Chick!

Comments

Wow. A song I actually like. I knew it had to happen at some point.

Posted by: Jamie Mellway | June 11, 2006 12:20 PM

Hey, Jamie, just go to my Master list here and do a search for Chick Corea, and I bet you'll find more than one area of intersection between us. :)

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 16, 2006 07:57 AM

JUNE 11, 2006

I'm going to be away from the computer a few days; please do not hesitate to continue posting comments on the various open threads. They will be approved for posting upon my return.

Since my absence will be brief, I've decided to post-date two "Songs of the Day." I just couldn't let Chick Corea's birthday go unnoticed. See you soon...

Song of the Day: Have You Met Miss Jones?, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, is from the 1937 Broadway musical "I'd Rather Be Right." My brother, guitarist Carl Barry, along with his guitar pal Jack Wilkins, played this tune at a jazz guitar tribute to Tal Farlow, and the guys brought down the house. I don't have an audio clip of that duet, but you can listen to a full-length live club clip of Carl with guitarist Joe Giglio (Carl is in the right-hand speaker). Today is the 60th annual Tony Awards ceremony at Radio City Music Hall; listen to audio clips of renditions of this Broadway nugget by Louis Armstrong, a scatting Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Robbie Williams, Phil Woods and Stephane Grappelli, and a live version by Tony Bennett.

Comments

Your bro rocks! Whew.

Posted by: Elaine | June 15, 2006 08:51 AM

Hey, thanks! Nepotism aside, if you're in the NYC area in July and August, Carl is appearing at 107 West. Check out his upcoming gigs here. Yes, "Barry" is shortened from Sciabarra. :)

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 16, 2006 08:05 AM

JUNE 10, 2006

I am a bit behind in my newspaper reading, so I was particularly surprised by an article published in Thursday's New York Daily News. Written by Rabbi Michael Lerner, "The Right Way to Fight for Gay Marriage" argues that all unions should be privatized. Lerner, who is chair of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, writes:

... marriage ought to be taken out of the state's hands entirely. Let people be wed in the private realm with no official legal sanction. Then, religious communities that oppose gay marriage will not sanction them, and those like mine that sanction the practice will conduct it. Rather than issuing marriage certificates or divorces, the state would simply enforce civil unions as contracts between consenting adults and enforce laws imposing obligations on people who bring children into the world.

This approach is far more likely to be a winning strategy for those who wish to beat back the assault on gay rights.

I suppose what is most surprising to me is that a genuinely libertarian argument for privatizing marriage made it to the Op Ed of one of the most highly circulated daily newspapers in America.

Cross-posted to L&P.

Comments

That is surprising but isn't NYC a pretty progressive place on these kind of questions?

And I'll shamelessly link to my own writing on the topic Lol.

Check it out here and here.

Posted by: Nick | June 10, 2006 10:43 PM

Good links, Nick; btw, check out the comments on the L&P site here.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 11, 2006 07:07 AM

That's an intriguing and fresh way to look at "the marriage question."

Legal marriage has only recently become an institution that had anything to do with "love." Wasn't it, historically, mainly to do with distribution of property (women being considered property at the time?)

Subtracting the "women as property" aspect out of the equation, the idea of legal parternerships recognized by the state, while "lve match" as such being recognized by the individuals in question makes a lot of sense and unties the "Gordian knot." Why should the government have anything to say or do about the love matches between consenting adults?

Of course, this idea is MUCH too rational to be accepted quickly....

Posted by: Peri | June 11, 2006 12:09 PM

I agree, Peri.

BTW, check out the brief dialogue at Liberty & Power Group Blog here.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 16, 2006 07:56 AM

I'm in the process of writing several encyclopedia articles as well as a few journal and magazine pieces (more information on these essays to follow in the coming weeks). And I've got brand new peer reader assignments too! And fuhgedabout the editing! Oy!

But I've found the time to write a brief contribution to a new Liberty magazine feature called "The Books of Summer." Among the books I recommend for summer reading are those authored by the Holzers, Rasmussen and Den Uyl, and Rozsa. Read all about it in the July 2006 issue of the magazine! (Subscribe here.)

Comments

Did I miss something here? I didn't find your reading list on the link, although I found others. Just wondering.

Peri

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 10, 2006 04:04 PM

You mean, you didn't see the list?

LOL

Just kidding.

They only published online a very brief excerpt from a much larger feature in the magazine, which includes summer reading lists from 25 different people, and I'm among them.

Though my short article includes reflections on each of the books in question, I did recommend the following books:

1. Ayn Rand: My Fiction-Writing Teacher by Erika Holzer

2. The Keeper of the Flame by Henry Mark Holzer

3. Norms of Liberty: A Perfectionist Basis for Non-Perfectionist Politics by Douglas B. Rasmussen and Douglas J. Den Uyl

and

4. Double Life by Miklos Rozsa

That last one is out of print, and as I say in the article, it is a great way "to prepare yourself for the Rozsa Centenary, which is almost upon us (April 2007)."

Enjoy!

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 10, 2006 04:52 PM

LOL. I also recommended Norms of Liberty. Great minds think alike! :-)

Posted by: Aeon J. Skoble | June 11, 2006 12:42 AM

Right now, my reading list consists of "Anna Karenina"...I've never read Tolstoy and want to find out what I've been missing. If I finish "Anna" I'll try to tackle "War and Peace" next. ;-)

I tried to read some Robert Heinlein recently, but I wasn't particularly taken by him.

I just finished "God Knows" by Joseph Heller, which was a damn sight better than "Catch 22" in my opinion.

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 11, 2006 01:29 AM

Yes! Aeon is one of the 25 people whose views on summer reading are represented in Liberty magazine, and, of course, his recommendations are brilliant. :)

And Peri, it's interesting that you mention War & Peace, since my esteemed colleague, JARS co-editor and Liberty senior editor, Stephen Cox, recommends that book for summer reading! That's quite a hefty book to tackle, but what better time to do it!

Enjoy!

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 11, 2006 07:10 AM

Peri,
Glad to see another Joseph Heller fan. I liked Catch-22 a lot and am reading Good As Gold now. Think I've heard of God Knows before, what's it about again?

Posted by: Nick Manley | June 14, 2006 02:46 AM

I never read "Catch-22"... but I did see the movie some years ago. Have you seen the film? How does it compare to the book?

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 16, 2006 08:03 AM

Chris,
I vaguely remember seeing the film on TV many moons ago. Not sure if I saw it all but think the book is better.

Read it! That's my summer reading for you lol.

Posted by: Nick Manley | June 18, 2006 12:57 PM

Chris, I suppose you could add to the list of books, the second edition of Kevin Brien's Marx, Reason, and the Art of Freedom. I got my copy for free by way of Boston University professor, Robert S. Cohen. See,
the following two posts:
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism-thaxis/2006-June/020364.html

http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism-thaxis/2006-June/020373.html

Posted by: Jim Farmelant | June 19, 2006 06:52 PM

Hey, Jim, thanks for posting these links. In the coming weeks, I hope to look at Brien's second edition, and maybe even to post my original review. I'll have a bit more to say when I have had the opportunity to see what he has to say too! I understand he answers my criticisms of Marx in this second edition. Should be interesting to read! I do remember it as a fine book...

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 28, 2006 05:32 AM

Song of the Day: My Romance, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, is from the 1935 Billy Rose Broadway production, "Jumbo" (which was also a 1962 Doris Day film). This is the weekend that Broadway celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Antoinette Perry Awards, also known as "The Tonys." Listen to audio clips of renditions by Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Carly Simon, James Taylor, pianist Dave Brubeck, and pianist Bill Evans.

JUNE 09, 2006

Song of the Day: A Man and a Woman, words and music by Pierre Barough and Francis Lai, with English lyrics by Jerry Keller, is from the 1966 film "Un Homme et Une Femme." Listen to audio clips of this ever-recognizable song by Nancy Ames and Johnny Mathis.

JUNE 08, 2006

Some time ago, I named Mendelssohn's "E Minor Concerto" as my "Song of the Day" (yes, it is a very broad meaning that I attach to "Song" on my ever-evolving list). I talked in that entry of a young violinist and prodigy named "Nanette Gampel," but I had given her the wrong first name! Her name was (and is) Lilit Gampel, and I want to thank an offlist correspondent for pointing me in the right direction.

Either way, the music she made on that night before the Boston Pops Orchestra was extraordinary.

Comments welcome.

Posted by chris at 07:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | Posted to Music
Comments

Hey, Mendelssohn's E minor violin concerto is probably my all time favorite classical piece! Its openning passage is simply divine.

Posted by: Hong | June 8, 2006 10:54 PM

Hong, I agree completely.

You got me humming that theme right now...

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 11, 2006 07:05 AM

Song of the Day: Bim-Bom, written by Joao Gilberto, has been recorded by many artists. Listen to audio clips of various renditions of this lively Brazilian tune: a solo Gilberto, Gilberto with Stan Getz, and Stan Getz in a Big Band setting, and, finally, my favorite version from Brasil 66.

JUNE 07, 2006

Song of the Day: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, written and recorded by Michael Jackson, is from one of his finest solo albums: "Off the Wall." The song, highlighting Jackson's falsetto, captures a classic sound and era. Listen to an audio clip here.

Comments

Wow! A really good song from back when Michael Jackson was a human being!

I remember when this first came out when I was a junior in high school--I was pleased that Michael "grew up" to put out some good music, instead of fading off into oblivion or worse.

Well, he has put out good music...these days, though, I have to try to forget what happened to the artist...

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 7, 2006 10:10 PM

Apropos of these comments by Peri, I'm linking to two articles of interest; the first discusses precisely the phenomenon of being able to appreciate an artist in spite of the fact that one may not like the personal behavior or opinions of the artist in question; the second is just a discussion of tangentially related issues dealing with musical purities and "impurities" (it's posted in reply to some comments I've gotten offlist about my various choices):

Taking the Ad Hominem Out of Art Appreciation

Musical Purists and "Impurities"

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 8, 2006 06:09 AM

JUNE 06, 2006

Song of the Day: Don't Stop (audio clip for this song is mislabeled; it's the link at "Be with You") features the words and music of James Wirrick and Jeff Mehl. It was performed to Disco Diva Perfection by Sylvester.

JUNE 05, 2006

Song of the Day: Don't Lose the Magic, words and music by M. Wilson, B. Dickens, and G. Christopher, was a hot dance hit for Shawn Christopher (who was highlighted last time out). Listen to an audio clip here (which, unfortunately, never gets to the vocals!).

JUNE 02, 2006

Song of the Day: Another Sleepless Night, words and music by Mike "Hitman" Wilson and Tracey Amos, features the blazing vocals of Shawn Christopher. Listen to an audio clip of this hot dance classic here. (And, by all means, don't lose sleep ... Notablog will return on June 5, 2006. NYU is moving my whole site to a "new, more robust server.")

Comments

Hey Chris, why don't you tell people how you shook your booty on the dance floor to this one. I remember it well.

Posted by: Len | June 2, 2006 11:29 AM

Hey, I still shake my booty on the dancefloor, Len! :)

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 2, 2006 03:59 PM

Just listened to this. Um, yeah, it's one of them there booty shaking songs, all right... so shake away! I have quite the image now...

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 2, 2006 11:04 PM

LOL... I have a few more booty-shaking songs coming up next week, along with some bossa nova and some great American standards.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 3, 2006 09:09 AM

JUNE 01, 2006

As I announced here, there have been many changes made by the NYU Web Team to the interface for Notablog. I want to thank the whole NYU crew (Jodi, Amit, Tom) for updating the site with a new MovableType Publishing Platform, which has made posting to this blog much easier and much more efficient. Moreover, I like the way the blog looks, and judging from my offlist email, most people like the new look too.

One of the biggest problems that I've had in maintaining the blog has been my inability to moderate comments and to eliminate trackbacks. Without moderation of comments, and without the ability to restrict trackbacks, I had been struggling daily to regulate thousands of links to porno or gambling sites, and it became virtually impossible to leave this blog alone for a day or two, without inviting hundreds of additional spam links that had to be subsequently erased.

Now that I have the capacity to moderate and eliminate these kinds of links, I have decided, starting today, June 1, 2006, to open up virtually all Notablog posts to comments. This means... DRUM ROLL PLEASE:

Readers can now register their thoughts on... my "Song of the Day" picks (including today's pick).

Heaven Help Us.

Well, truthfully, I get many daily emails from people all over the world about my "Song of the Day" listings. Every so often, I've actually heard from the musician or composer I've highlighted, which is very gratifying, indeed. And judging by the statistics, my favorite songs and my favorite things are consistently the most popular pages on the website. So, by popular demand, I'm going to experiment with open comments on my "Song of the Day" listings from this point on.

Please note, however, that I'm not interested in debating my very eclectic musical tastes. This is not the place to tell me that "this song sucks" or to ask me, incredulously, "how can you like that musician?" If readers don't like my tastes, they are free to develop their own "Song of the Day" listings, and I encourage it!

This caution notwithstanding, I think it will be very interesting to read comments on the daily musical posts; if they are half as instructive as the ones I receive by private email, alerting me to other versions of songs or to the history of a song or the musical or movie or composer from whence it comes ... then Notablog will evolve into a rather entertaining place to visit.

Since my overall comments policy is still in effect (see here), I will be closing the comments sections for older posts as they disappear from the "Recent Comments" sidebar. Further, as my policy statement indicates:

Readers are advised to stay "on message" in any particular discussion thread. Inappropriate or rude comments will be deleted, along with any "spam" messages, and those who post such comments will be prohibited from further posting at Notablog.

Of course, Notablog is not the only activity in which I am currently engaged. I am working diligently on many, many projects, including my typical editing duties for The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies, and my writing of various magazine articles and entries for several encyclopedias and forthcoming books. But with the onset of Summer, I will also be taking some time off.

First, please note that there will be no posts on June 3, 2006 or June 4, 2006; on those dates, New York University will be migrating all current accounts to a "new, more robust server," and that means that this site, the comments, and my own publishing platform will be totally inaccessible. I will resume "Song of the Day" listings on June 5th.

Second, please note that I plan to go on summer hiatus for about a month, overlapping July and August.

In the meantime, all I ask is that you have fun. I know that I'm having a ball!

Comments welcome.

Comments

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!

Now we can rock with you.

Great song pick today, by the way.

Posted by: Elaine | June 1, 2006 07:20 AM

Hope I get to catch you in NYC this summer Chris.

And I was doing the comments on Song of the Day before you hopped on the bandwagon.

Hehe, just a bit of humor.

Be well!

Posted by: Nick | June 1, 2006 06:35 PM

Thanks Chris! This is a great idea.

Posted by: Chris Grieb | June 1, 2006 09:01 PM

Thanks for the comments, folks; yes, I think this should be a lot of fun!

Enjoy!

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 8, 2006 07:23 AM

Song of the Day: Reelin' in the Years, words and music by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, is one of my favorite Steely Dan hits. Listen to an audio clip here.

Comments

I have really liked anything I've heard of Steely Dan. I did a search on your blog and found only one other track of theirs that you mention.

Do you have any other suggested songs or albums of theirs?

Posted by: Elaine | June 1, 2006 07:22 AM

Well, you opened up song comments just in time! I never knew you liked Steely Dan, Chris -- would it surprise you to find out they're one of my very favorite groups? They are truly sui generis. Musically, they combine rock sensibilities with all manner of other flavors -- jazz, latin, soul -- and lyrically, what weird and wild stories they tell. Take "Razor Boy" for instance: you get to dance the cha-cha-cha to a song about the grim reaper! Brilliant. Man, don't get me started on Dan appreciation, or I'll be here all day, and I do have some work to do...

Posted by: Aeon J. Skoble | June 1, 2006 07:56 AM

Elaine: You won't go wrong with any of their pre-hiatus albums (viz., Can't Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam, Aja, Gaucho). These are all solid albums, all great stuff. Their later albums have some good material, but are uneven, so I'd only recommend them to fans who already know the canonical works. But if you pick up any of the above, you'll find that every song is a gem. The first five I listed are typically bargain-priced, too.

Posted by: Aeon J. Skoble | June 1, 2006 08:04 AM

"Rikki (Don't Lose that Number)" quotes from Horace Silver's "Song for my Father."

Interestingly, Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" quotes from the same Horace Silver song.

So: please remeber the talent that is Horace Silver when listening to those songs.

Michael and I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Silver perform at a club in Oakland about 10 years ago. He was a delightful man.

But before I get caught up in Horace Silver, let me say I love Steely Dan, too.

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 1, 2006 10:08 AM

Peri- when you say Rikki "quotes from" the Horace Silver tune, do you mean musically, or lyrically? If the latter, I don't see it.

Posted by: Aeon J. Skoble | June 1, 2006 11:49 AM

Kudos for choosing Steely Dan. Hadn't heard them before but a listen over at amazon.com was good. I really liked Dirty Work. Is anyone else a fan?

Posted by: Nick | June 1, 2006 06:54 PM

Aeon:

They quote musically. The opening musical bars to "Song for My Father" and "Rikki" are virtually identical...

I wish I was up on my html link stuff so I could post a link to "Song for My Father."

Even more of a musical quote from Silver's song can be found in Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing." It's closer to a direct lift, rather than a quote, to my ears.

Posted by: Peri | June 2, 2006 12:45 AM

Thanks for all the comments on the first "Song of the Day" open to commentary.

I'm glad Aeon posted; I surely did know you were a Steely Dan fan. Don't forget: That's why I featured a favorite track of theirs on the occasion of your birthday (see here, which also happens to be the last Steely Dan song mentioned at Notablog before this one). :)

You are absolutely right, Aeon, about the combination of styles in their music. Considering I'm such a big jazz fan, with a fondness for Latin rhythms and soul, how could I miss! (My tastes are eclectic, to say the least!) And excellent album suggestions too!

Peri, thanks for the Horace Silver references. I hesitate to say much more about "Song for my Father" (Father's Day is coming, and, uh, I had planned to take note of it very soon!). But, for now, an audio clip can be found at this link.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 2, 2006 07:02 AM

Wow, Chris, I didn't mean to steal your thunder there... :-( Please, don't let my off-topic babbling deter you from future songs of the day.

As for Steely Dan, I like them. I always liked their title song to a very lame movie called "FM" back in the 70's. (The soundtrack was much better than the movie.) "Reeling in the Years" is good, too.

Peri

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 2, 2006 09:42 PM

Peri, no thunder stolen at all! LOL By all means, what you said was totally on topic.

And, you know, I think your point about musical quoting is extremely important. So many composers and musicians "quote" from their predecessors, and this can be found not only in composition, but in improvisation as well. Granted, there can be a fine line between "quoting" (which is a paean to those who came before) and "stealing." And then there is the whole phenomenon of "sampling" that goes on in such genres as contemporary hip hop, which sometimes can be used to great effect.

Anyway, keep all these themes in mind. Because we will revisit them again and again now that "Song of the Day" is open to comments. As always, I thank you for your insights.

P.S. - Apparently, the comments interface is still working, even though the web server is being transplanted. So, we'll keep partying until I can add more Songs...

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 3, 2006 09:07 AM

Chris: Whew, thanks for the reassurance. I didn't want what I said about Horace Silver change your ideas about what your song of the day would be for Father's Day...

I look forward to discussing "quoting," and the influence of musical predecessors on this site, because it's a subject I find very interesting, and I look forward to debating the issue of "sampling' and its place in art.

Someday, I would like to write an essay with the "My Sweet Lord" & "He's So Fine" case as an opening ancedote and take it from there...

Posted by: Peri Sword | June 3, 2006 10:41 AM

Thanks, Peri, for the additional thoughts. No worries on changing my "Song of the Day" posts... I usually plan these things way ahead of time, and alter a bit here and there, as the mood, or the news, moves me (like using the "Song of the Day" to tribute a recently deceased artist, or to mark an anniversary, etc.).

And, as far as essays go... well, I did propose your being another blogger here. :) Maybe we could feature an essay of yours here, and use it as the occasion to discuss the issue? Keep it in mind.

I have to say, as a first iteration, that I had a real problem with "sampling" when people were doing it without "citation" (to use a scholarly phrase); it was akin to scholars using certain ideas without giving proper acknowledgment to the source. Over time, however, as the copyright issues were worked out, and "sampled" bits required mentioning certain artists as co-writers, I was less hostile to it, at least from an "intellectual property rights" perspective.

Having been a DJ (yes, I was a mobile DJ for many years, spinning actual vinyl records at proms, engagement parties, block parties, and Bar Mitzvahs), I do appreciate, however, some of the more creative uses of various mixing and "sampling" techniques. Sometimes, when I love a song, and see it being "sampled" in another context, it makes me want to run to the dance floor all over again.

For example, take these two dance songs:

This Time Baby

and

Love on My Mind

The latter samples from the former, and yet it becomes a whole new dance song, with one aspect of the original forming the basic structure for the new. And the new one is a hot dance track in its own right, while also being a paean to the original.

This has been done with lots of songs. In the dance music field alone, I'm thinking especially of songs like "Love Sensation" by Loleatta Holloway, which formed the basis of another dance scorcher called "Ride on Time," by Black Box. Holloway eventually got the credit she deserved.

Anyway, lots to talk about here...

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | June 3, 2006 11:03 AM