MAY DAYS
What do you say — may I interest you in the music of May? You see, I haven’t posted for a spell, but I don’t think I want to disturb a single brain cell — though I fear somewhere in my sphere the strain’s already rung a bell, as near I can tell. So, before I go too far, let’s get to the tunes, most of which may be before your time….but at least you won’t have to suffer (much) more of my rhyme.
I’ll start with two versions of my favorite May song, the first sung by the great Mel Tormé:
This second (and earlier) version is by British crooner Al Bowlly, who was tragically killed in a German air raid on London during WW II:
Now, let’s see — where are we? Oh, yes — we’re….
Let us say ‘fini’ appropriately:
Ashley 11:05 am on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
Another cracking post. Mel Torme…sooo smooth! Ever heard of Matt Munroe? He had a voice like that. Al Bowlly….. my Granny loved him! And Michael Buble….brilliant! I’ve never heard of the Pied Pipers but for some reason, the picture reminded me of Ben Lyons & Bebe Daniels….!
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mistermuse 11:44 am on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
Thank you, Ashley. Yes, I’ve heard of — and heard — Matt Munroe. I don’t own any of his albums, but I do own a ton of Al Bowlly and Mel Tormé albums, as well as two of the Pied Pipers (they were voted top vocal group of the mid-to-late 1940s in the annual Downbeat and Metronome magazines polls, surpassing even the very popular Mills Brothers and Ink Spots).
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Ashley 10:56 am on May 24, 2020 Permalink
You may not have registered my comment about Ben & Bebe Lyons. It was a radio show here in the UK.
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mistermuse 12:58 pm on May 24, 2020 Permalink
Thanks for the clarification, Ashley. Yes, I heard of old-time American movie stars Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels (his wife), but I couldn’t relate them with the Pied Pipers picture, so I let it pass. I also didn’t know they had a radio show “here in the UK” — which tells me why your Granny loved Brit Al Bowlly!
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Carmen 1:18 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
I think my favourite was the Pied Piper piece. . it would have been a great dance tune! (Nice to see the inclusion of a Canuck!)
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mistermuse 4:53 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
Better Michael than Justin! 😉
P.S. I was hoping this guy was a Canuck so I could make a bad pun, but only his name is close:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakima_Canutt
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mistermuse 11:29 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink
I resemble — I mean, resent — your next remark, Carmen (though I admit it may explain why my neighbors call me old picklepuss).
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arekhill1 4:14 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
How do you get a handle like “The Velvet Fog” anyway? Sounds like a name for a whiskey, not a singer.
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mistermuse 6:24 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
A disc jockey gave him that nickname in honor of his smooth vocal style (the disc jockey may have been under the influence of whiskey at the time, but in any case, the name stuck).
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Rivergirl 5:23 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
May I just say… well done.
😊
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mistermuse 6:34 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
You May indeed, Rg….and just to show my appreciation, I’m going to resist the temptation you say you’re well done yourself. Not that you’re not well done, but….maybe I’d better quit while I’m ahead (or am I?). 😉
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Rivergirl 6:47 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink
At this point in my life? I’d say I’m approaching medium well.
😉
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mistermuse 8:21 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink
The best I can say for myself is that I’m well preserved (and that may be stretching it).
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Carmen 9:03 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink
Well preserved or well pickled? 😉
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obbverse 5:33 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
The change of the seasons has been an inspiration since forever. I too, never heard of the Pied Pipers. Strange how some very popular acts of the day just don’t have ‘legs.’
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mistermuse 6:47 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
It is said that Fame is fickle, but it’s probably more accurate to say that Fame is selectively fickle. Most entertainers of lasting fame probably deserve it, but IMHO, many others deserve it but don’t have it.
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calmkate 7:40 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
enjoyed the pied pipers, and like their name! But michael wins hands down, what a voice!
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mistermuse 8:13 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. Mel is the man!
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calmkate 8:54 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink
na crooners leave me cold Michael .. wow!
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mistermuse 11:15 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink
Kate, I don’t know where you got the idea that Mel is a crooner. He is first and foremost a jazz-influenced singer (even when he sings ballads). And when he sings straight jazz – well, judge for yourself:
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Don Ostertag 11:49 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink |
Those who are unfamiliar with Mel Torme, the great one, probably never watched Night Court on TV either. And the Pied Pipers, great on their own or backing up Frank Sinatra in his Dorsey Years. And out of that group came Jo Stafford, one of the best ‘girl singers’ ever.
Al Bowelly, so sad.
And then you even got my second favorite stunt man, Yakima.
Nice mixture.
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mistermuse 8:40 am on May 18, 2020 Permalink |
Thanks, Don. I couldn’t agree more about Jo Stafford. And if there has ever been a better and more unforgettable name in movie history than Yakima Canutt, I don’t remember it. 😉
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masercot 8:29 am on May 18, 2020 Permalink |
I tried to play Torme and Bowlly at the same time but they did NOT synchronize…
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mistermuse 9:13 am on May 18, 2020 Permalink |
There aren’t too many jazz-influenced singers (like Tormé) and crooners (like Bowlly) I can think of who “synchronize” — unless they’re combined in one man, like the YOUNG (late 1920s-early 1930s) Bing Crosby. However, if it’s synchronization you want, try playing two orchestras’ versions of the same song at the same time, like the sophisticated Spike Jones
and jazz man Duke Ellington
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annieasksyou 10:26 am on May 18, 2020 Permalink |
Your guided May tour was very pleasing, of course—
But not quite as much as Mel’s Ella scat de force!
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mistermuse 12:07 pm on May 18, 2020 Permalink |
Scooby-dooby-rooty-tooty-ella-mella-fella-ratta-tatta-scatta-you-gotta-thata-right, Annie!
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annieasksyou 1:11 pm on May 18, 2020 Permalink
Indubitably-buble-doos, mistermuse!
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Silver Screenings 2:45 pm on May 18, 2020 Permalink |
I love the (new to me) Pied Piper version! Thanks for sharing it.
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