Hooray, happy day! I've been doing this blog for six years. Can you believe? Oh, what we've survived, dear reader. First the arrival of the blog, then four years into it, tres scandal - and the removal of every link by dastardly foes. But fear not, great music refuses to back down, and so here we are today (which, of course, is a good time to remind you to grab everything you want when it's posted, because it could happen again) (you can always delete stuff later if it's not a keeper for you) (but you knew that).
So why not mark this occasion with "A Cheerful Earful" from Lew Davies and his orchestra? (note that two "L's" are used on this blog for "earfull") (the extra "L" is for "lusciousness") (but you knew that). It's brassy, it's peppy, and, yes, it's cheerful as all get out!
And now on to two Cheerful Exclusives!, starting with a fairly rare live CD with the one and only Nell Carter, who left us too early in 2003 after overcoming a cocaine addiction, two aneurysms, three miscarriages and diabetes. Despite this, Nell gave back, and in 1999, raised money to fight AIDS by performing with The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.
The sound quality's not always perfect, but the concert's unexpectedly moving. A Broadway diva for many years, Nell knew well the devastation she was fighting, and it's likely some of the chorus members knew first hand. The result - with its mix of solos by Nell and several choral numbers - is likely to leave a lump in your throat by concert's end. But don't get too choked up. The loss of Nell and countless bright lights may be heavy, but they've left their indomitable human spirit on this CD.
On a lighter note, what can I say but, "Kay! Kay! Kay!"
Oh, what a happy day it was when my Cuban Luvuh gifted me with this diffy-to-find CD, "The Uncollected Kay Starr In The 1940's." These are the radio versions of Kay's jazziest, jumping-est songs and hits. Kay had her own sound, as we know - jazz tinged with a relaxed country vibe; she simply didn't sound like any other singer at the time - and in this terrific interview, she tells you how it all came about.
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen. We've got hot ovens. We've got steamy bathrooms. We've even got hot seats! Have you heard? There's a new book out called "Everything's Coming Up Profits: The Golden Age Of Industrial Musicals." Just imagine, Broadway composers and luminaries (Kander & Ebb! Florence Henderson!) putting on original shows for companies like Coke and Ford Motors in the 50's and swingin' 60's - and with a disco beat in the 70's.
If the book is as wonderfully strange as the music itself, then I'm so in. In the meantime, give a listen to this collection of songs, which includes a sassy opener about ovens called (wink-wink) "I've Got A Wide Range Of Features."
Sometimes people believe they can duplicate an original - but honestly, a cracked reflection of the real thing is no substitute. So take note, bitches ("bitches" or "bitch" being what Britney would say these days) (The Secret Song File is so on trend!). There's only one Secret Song, and after six years, she's here to stay.
Speaking of, some singers are here to stay even after they're dead, including a certain disco Queen who long ago left her cake out in the rain. But wouldn't you know, a group of today's "hot" DJs got together to remix her best-selling songs. I say "hot" in quotes, because some are considerably better than others, which means that some are (ahem) questionable (especially the first song). Still, if you're willing to to forage through this spanking new CD, you'll find more than a few winning tracks, I swear.
Sometimes you have to dig a little, don't you think?
Prod and burrow in the comments, if you like!
