Monday, January 31, 2011

FYI

Moonlight in Vermont is one the few American lyrics that does not rhyme AND portions are pure haiku, including correct number of syllables (17) AND necessary seasonal references. Perhaps you already know that?  But maybe not.  I figured this out on my own a long time ago pre-internet. The lyricist, John Blackburn, died very recently (2006) at age 93.  I believe that this was his only hit lyric. But it probably earned him enough to live comfortably on.Singer Johnny Holiday once told me Blackburn wrote another terrific song, "She Doesn't Laugh Like You," but his is the only recording. Music by Benny Carter.

M in V: Beautiful song. One of my favorites.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

I'mmmm backkkk.. .

Last night, Jane Harvey at L.A.'s M Bar was a textbook demonstration of what great singing and performance is all about. She hit the stage running, backed by Stuart Elster's trio, and showed that a ten year (or more?) break in performing had done nothing to dim her skills. In a turn lasting seventy minutes (but seeming like far fewer), and relying mostly on material from the Sondheim songbook, with a soupcon of Arlen, Kern et al thrown in for good measure, she nailed every lyric and NOTE. . .except for occasional spot-on forays into judicious note substitution. Jane isn't just great for her age, she's just flat-out great. As for her age, let's just say that she was the very first face ever broadcast on NBC-TV and let it go at that. And as for THAT FACE, it still looks great. I fearlessly predict that when Jane plays Feinstein's in New York this coming March, she'll blow the lid off the boite. P.S. If you want to consider this a rave review, please feel free to do so.

Sunday, January 09, 2011