It's delightful, it's delicious, it's dlevy!
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RIP Deanna Durbin
I was so stunned and affected by the news of Marvin Hamlisch’s death this morning that I had to stop working for about a half hour to collect myself. That reaction was about as unexpected as his death was, but when I think about it, so many of his songs are so interwoven with my subconscious and my memories, it makes sense.
“Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows” is my personal soundtrack to happy moments. A Chorus Line was not only one of the first shows I ever saw on Broadway — the film soundtrack was one of my first obsessions after outgrowing Annie. (I’m sure I’ve told the stories of my dancing around the house singing “Let Me Dance For You” more than once on the internet.) My brother’s bar mitzvah video opens (as so many of that era must) with the sound of Streisand singing “The Way We Were.” And when I fall in love, it’s always to the tune of “Fallin’” from They’re Playing Our Song.
Hamlisch’s autobiography, The Way I Was, is a fascinating and heartbreaking read. He comes across as someone who was never fulfilled by all his achievements, particularly because they were followed by so many disappointments. Listening to a track like this one, featuring Harry Groener singing the title song from Smile, one of Hamlisch’s biggest flops and most painful failures, it’s hard to think of this score as any sort of disappointment, but that’s showbiz.
Rest in peace, Mr. Hamlisch.
Happy 80th 81st, Mr. Herman!
(Celebrate with me! Listen to my Jerry Herman playlist on Spotify.)
“The retarded are people who need people.”
I couldn’t make this shit up if I tried.
Dee Snyder’s Broadway album is getting all the Tumblr buzz this week, but Glenn Frey of the Eagles has released his own Great American Songbook album this week too. It’s, you know, just fine. Like, we know he can sing, and the song selection is fine, but I can’t imagine listening to it over and over again. But then again, I have no idea who all those people are who kept buying Rod Stewart’s Great American Songbook albums are either, so this will probably sell a gazillion copies.
The Nick Jonas “How to Succeed” EP is now available on Spotify!
Yes, yes, Davy Jones was the Artful Dodger in the original Broadway cast of Oliver!, but he isn’t on the cast album because it was recorded before he replaced the kid who did it on tour.
HOWEVER, remember when he was on The Brady Bunch???
RIP Davy Jones. My first concert, and one of my first idols. Those of you who have known me long enough to remember my mullet phase might also know that hairstyle was a tribute to DJ. Somewhere, I have a carefully labeled VHS tape of his appearance on My Two Dads, excerpted above.
I have a thing for cover versions of showtunes. I have another, related thing for pop versions of showtunes recorded by the original cast member who introduced them. (Barbra Streisand’s pop version of “People” is the most famous in this category; Alice Playten’s pop version of “Poor Little Person” from Henry Sweet Henry is my personal favorite.)
Anyway, in the latter category is a pop(ish) version of “No Time At All” from Pippin, recorded by the original Berthe, Irene Ryan (aka Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies).
A new version of Pippin just started previews at the Menier Chocloate Factory in London. It sounds like it might be a disaster. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself, since I chose to get tickets to Matilda instead.
Thanks to Edward Santos and the Facebook Group Forgotten Musicals for bringing this track to my attention.
