Just a quick little post for this week's Music Monday. This is a little gem of a song I discovered while on one of my famous Wikipedia binges. More and more often I find myself on vicious cycles of clicking article after related article just to satiate my undying curiosity. On this occasion I happened to be reading about Barbra Streisand's career and I read that her first television appearance was on "The Tonight Show" in 1961, and she sang this beautiful song:
Anyway, I've fallen in love with Ms. Streisand over and over as I discover new and different parts of her career. She is probably the epitome of the musical diva we know today. Just for fun let's watch some other songs from some of her many television appearances and specials:
The last one is my favorite because of the fashion tie-in. Those hats she tries on drive me up the wall with envy... (Especially the one at 4:56). Anyway that's that for this week's Music Monday.
While searching for videos of the 2011 Grammy Awards performances, I somehow stumbled onto this video from the 2009 European Music Awards. Katy Perry opened the awards program with a medley of all the "Best Song" nominees: I Gotta Feeling, When Love Takes Over, Use Somebody, Halo, and Poker Face.
If you're wondering what all that "Katy Kat Club" business is and why they turned 'Halo' into a polka, then hold on tight - the 2009 EMAs were held in Berlin. Why is that relevant? Because Berlin is the setting of the iconic film, "Cabaret". Observe:
Ta-da! Just another case of modern artists inspired by the work of the great Bob Fosse, who choreographed and directed "Cabaret". Though the medley itself was a bit off-putting, I think Perry did a good job with the movement, and the choreography was true to Fosse without being a complete rip-off.
What do you think? Nostalgically Yours
Post Script: Because of my move back to the city, I now have many more responsibilities than I did living in New Orleans. This means that posting every day will be impossible for me. Instead I've decided to post between two and three times a week (more if time allows), so you'll hear from me on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from now on. Thanks for sticking with me!
As I mentioned in a post from last week, Christopher Plummer, Julie Andrews, and all seven of the Von Trapp children appeared on Oprah last Friday. I didn't get to watch it when it aired, but here is the episode in its entirety from Youtube! Let's hope it doesn't get taken down any time soon...
Part I
Part II
Part III
I know it sounds cliché, but I laughed and I cried. This was a truly touching tribute to the film we all know and love. The special features a one-on-one interview with Julie Andrews, as well as interviews with the rest of the cast, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and a special guest appearance by Rosie O'Donnell.
I'd also like to correct my statement from last week. The special performance featured in the show was not by the actors, but by the actual Von Trapp Family Singers - the great-grandchildren of the real Maria (who herself makes a few posthumous appearances on the program).
The actor/children have also revealed they are co-authoring a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the film from their point of view, and will feature exclusive, personal memorabilia from their private collections. The book is expected to be out next year and make no mistake I'll be getting it (...as soon as it comes out in soft-cover).
This show also marks the first-time release of The Sound of Music on Blu-Ray disc. The film has been digitally remastered in honor of the 45th anniversary of its release.
Still clutching his box of tissues, Nostalgically Yours
For those of you who don't consistently watch Oprah (myself included), I do want to announce to you musical theater fans that the cast of The Sound of Music will be the special guests on her show tomorrow! After the trip to Australia, this is likely my favorite part of Oprah's final season.
Andrews fawns over Plummer from afar... Who wouldn't? Rawr!
Of course, you may be thinking, Big woop! What's so special about that? I'll tell you what: for the first time since 1965, the children will perform as they did in the film! I'm not sure if Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews will sing - after all Andrews hasn't been able to really sing since her voice node surgery fiasco back in '97... Anyway, I just thought you musical theater/film aficionados would be interested to hear that! Don't miss it! I shan't.
If Julie Andrews can't make you smile, you're made of stone.
Interesting story about Julie Andrews and this movie: "The Sound of Music" and "My Fair Lady" both came out in the same award season. Andrews played Eliza Doolittle on Broadway opposite Rex Harrison. She was ousted in favor of Hepburn for God knows what reason. "My Fair Lady" stole most of the Oscars that year, including best picture. Audrey Hepburn received a big fat nothing. On the other hand, Andrews (who in turn replaced Broadway's Mary Martin in the role of Maria) was nominated for Best Actress and won a Golden Globe in the same category. I'm not trying to pick sides here, both ladies are practically perfect in their own right, but nothing good comes from trying to switch out genres between actresses like this. [Thanks to TJ at the The TJ Times for reminding me that it was "Mary Poppins" that came out in the same year as "My Fair Lady" and for which Andrews won the Oscar for Best Actress, not the "Sound of Music", as I stated above.]
