Cleo Laine wrote the words and sings " He Was Beautiful"  The melody ( Cavatina) as written by Stanley Myers for the Viet War drama " The Deer Hunter."  The first version is by Cleo Laine performing  with John Williams,the noted British classical guitarist (not the famous Hollywood film composer.)

The second version is for two guitars and large orchestra. It is a stunning pice of music and played beautifully.

  https://youtu.be/DQnxfTDVizU      Cleo Laine performance


https://youtu.be/X7SvBtJuh3Y         TWO GUITARS/ORCHESTRA

" A Sleepin'Bee"  Barbra Streisand sings a marvellous Harold Arlen/Truman Capote song from House of Flowers. Set in Haiti, based on Capote's visit to an exotic locale, the song was introduced by a 19 year old. Diahanne Carroll . She was employed in an establishment run by a Madam, played by Pearl Bailey. The Haitian folk belief says that if you catch a bee and if it doesn't sting you, your true love is guaranteed for life.

https://youtu.be/cKAUF-DQi90

Come Sunday: Duke Ellington's sacred hymn described his deep religious faith. It was part of a major sacred muisc suite called Black, Brown & Beige. The words invoke the hope & prayer that the lengthy trials and tribulation of the Afro-American community would come to a peaceful end. Despite the lengthy struglled, It's still a long,long road to travel.

Soprano Kathleen Battle and saxophanist Branford Marsalis perform with such intensity that it almost makes a believer of this old agnostic. Such is the power of music when combined with such solemn & inspirational lyrics.

On June 23, 2019, I hope to hear Brian Barlow's Big Band perform the sacred music of Duke Ellington as part of the Jazz Vespers program at Toronto;s magnificent Christ Church Deer Park
It takes place at 4:30 pm along with a brief reflection by Jazz Vespers Clergy.
           Admission is free,donations are welcome.

https://youtu.be/kmfPiEoFHm0



































7 Beige






















7Beige 

In a calm: Canadian Robert Farnon, a masterful writer of orchestral music, wrote In a Calm. a self-descriptive mood piece showing his mastery of string writing. Captain Robert Farnon headed a Candian Armed Forces band , similar to what Glem Miller did so successfully in WW11. After the War, Franon stayed in Great Britain and wrote memorable orchestral music and arrangements for many of ther top vocalist in America. On Canada's CBC, I heard him play trumpet on The Happy Gang, a legendary radio variety show originating in CBC's Toronto studios.
His influence on many arrangers and orchestrators has been significant and ' The Guv", as he is known, is still a formidable musical presence in the work of my friend Rick Wilkins, a highly regarded arranger, composer who has written for so many magor singers  Rick is also a great arranger for Big Bands, especially in his lengthy stewardship with Rob McConnell, the Boss Brass and the legendary Cansdian guitarist Ed Bickert with whom he has played great saxophone/guitar duets.


https://youtu.be/YOixWDxAeos

ROMANCE DURING WARTIME Altough war is a nasty and often tragic event, people who are involved still have

Romance &  Love during Wartime

War is often a brutal and destructive event affecting millions. People caught up in the maelstrom still have to get on with their everyday lives. The film ' The Americanization of Emily takes place on the eve of D Day. James Garner is an American naval officer in love with July Andrews, an English woman who serves as his driver while preparing for the invasion. Garner has been given the job of making a film of ther first dead sailor on Omaha beach, a job he wishes to avoid. Meanwhile, he is able to wangle a weekend leave with Emily and this clip also has elements of the love theme by Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer. This scene does not dismiss the carnage that is about to occur during the D Day invasion but is a brief and tender interlude between two individuals caught up in wartime circumstances.

Also attached is a Tony Bennett performance of Emily. a song that along with Laura ,is one of the finest movie songs dedicated to a female movie character.

 https://youtu.be/Sgihy39zzYc    Film clip

https://youtu.be/3H00RUW9PI8   Tony Bennett-EMILY

TORONTO RAPTOR'S FAN APPRECIATION SONG " I get A Kick Outta You !"

Toronto Raptors have captured the hearts of millions of Canadians. The joy and pleasure they bring us is best expressed by Frank Sinatra singing Cole Porter's " I get a kick outta' you."  In this case , the "YOU" mentioned in the song are the Raptors who have captured our collective hearts,
The song really swings just like the Raptors driving to the basket to finish with a thunderous dunk. 

RAPTORS;  WE REALLY DO GET A KICK OUTTA YOU !

https://youtu.be/ueIRPDAbPNY