Via Margutta 51: Happy Old Songs

Showing posts with label Happy Old Songs. Show all posts

Mar 11, 2012

Thanks and goodbye Robert B. Sherman

Richard and Robert Sherman (right). Photo by Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Before I heard the sad news this week, I didn't know who Robert B. Sherman was. That name meant anything to me, I didn't associate it with anything.

But I did know a part of his inner world, the way he and his brother Richard perceived life, the way they captured it.

Because I did know some special songs. These songs were different from others: even when they were meant for kids, they had an unusual component of nostalgia, of sadness and realness. I discovered some of these songs when I was a child and some of them when I was grown up. And it didn't really matter, the feeling was the same. These pieces celebrated being a child and at the same time I heard in them that eagerness to come back in time, which is tinted black because of its impossibility.

Little Black Rain Cloud, tender and sad, makes my mind wander and think of what's irremediably gone, not just for me, but for people in general, no matter the time they were born in, how they look back to their childhood, just like Christopher Robin did in Winnie the Pooh. The songs from Mary Poppins, especially Chim Chim Cher-ee and Walt Disney's favorite, Feed the birds captured this same mixed essence, what's good, kind, noble, sad and fun in the world. Even songs like The Aristocats' Scales and Arpeggios, The Sword in the stone's Higitus Figitus and The Jungle Book's That's What Friends Are For had something different, a darker atmosphere, or a sound that wasn't composed just to maintain kids entertained.

Of course, I also celebrate those incredibly happy songs, like Let's get together, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and I Wan'na Be Like You. I celebrate the legendary Sherman brothers, Disney, the magical movies that always put a smile on my face and make me think that It's A Great Big, Beautiful Tomorrow...

Thanks and goodbye Robert B. Sherman.

Jan 24, 2012

Cool Old Music: The Puppini Sisters' "Hollywood"

Just a quick post to (hopefully) put a lasting smile on your face.

Remember when I told you about The Puppini Sisters, that super awesome trio that sings in close harmony style (like The Andrews Sisters, The Lennon Sisters, etc etc)...

Well, in December they released an album called Hollywood and I just found out today. According to their own description,

HOLLYWOOD is a gloriously evocative record that pays homage to the music of the silver screen in the Puppini Sisters' inimitably stylish manner that has been dazzling audiences worldwide since the release of their debut album, 2006's Betcha Bottom Dollar. Their ability to renew and rejuvenate each song, effortlessly harmonizing vocal lines while staying true to the classic Tinseltown aesthetic, is evident throughout Hollywood, which was recorded in the old-fashioned way with the three ladies all standing round one microphone.

The album takes in a whole range of dynamics, from the tongue-twisting "Moi Je Joue" and the high-energy upswing of "I Got Rhythm" - written by the Gershwin brothers - to a delicately fragile take on "Moon River" and Frank Sinatra's memorable "September Song". On each song, the sweetly charming vocal harmonies of the Puppinis bring new life to songs that have existed in the public consciousness for over half a century.

So what do you know? One of my favorite retro bands singing cool old songs from movies. Awesome.

Here's the tracklist; you can preview it on Amazon.

1. Hollywood

2. Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friends

3. I Got Rhythm

4. Moi Je Joue

5. True Love

6. Good Morning

7. Get Happy

8. Moon River

9. I Feel Pretty

10. September Song

11. Parle Plus Bas

And here's the video for Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friends:

Jul 8, 2011

Cool Old Songs: Sophie Madeleine Edition

Hi guys! Looking for songs to play with the ukulele, I found a terrific musician. Her name is Sophie Madeleine, she's English and plays a lot of instruments, the uke among them. The coolest thing about her besides her talent and original songs, is that she has covered a lot of classic oldies, in a super fresh and inspiring way. This Old Songs ( I changed it from "Happy" to "Cool") post is dedicated to those covers. Enjoy:

Goody, Goody (another neat version of this song appeared in the first post of this series)

"A 1936 popular song composed by Matty Malneck, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer." (Wikipedia)

Hushaby Mountain:

"A ballad by the songwriting team Robert and Richard Sherman. It appears twice in the 1968 Albert R. Broccoli motion picture Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: first as an idyllic lullaby by Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke, watch) to his children; and later when the children of Vulgaria have lost all hope of salvation." (Wikipedia)

Dream a little dream of me

"Dream a Little Dream of Me" is a [1931] song with music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn." (Wikipedia)

If I had you

"1928 song by "Irving King" (James Campbell and Reginald Connelly) with Ted Shapiro. The romantic love song has become a mainstream jazz standard, and continues to be performed and used in movie soundtracks into the 21st century." (Wikipedia)

All I do is dream of you

"The music was written by Nacio Herb Brown, the lyrics by Arthur Freed. The song was published in 1934. It was originally written for a 1934 movie, Sadie McKee." (Wikipedia)

AND MY NEW FAVORITE...

Pure imagination

This one is soooo sweet, it's from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (the original, not that awful remake, of course)...

Awesome, right? Have a great weekend!

Check Sophie Madeleine's Youtube Channel.
She's also on Twitter.
And Tumblr.

Apr 1, 2011

Happy Old Songs: The Ukulele Edition

As you know, I've been playing a lot the ukulele lately. What I haven't done this year, is to post entries for my Happy Old Songs series. So, I'm mixing these two facts and now I give you Happy Old Songs (maybe this time they are not all veery happy) played with the ukulele, an instrument that was really popular in the twenties and thirties (remember that Warren Beatty's sister in Splendor in the Grass appears half the movie playing the uke?...and then she dies)

1929 - Ukulele Ike plays Singing In the Rain

1934 - Gene Raymond plays two seconds and then sings All I do is dream of you

1925 - Vaughn De Leath sings Ukulele Lady

1930 - "Ukulele Ike" plays I'll See You In My Dreams

One of the most popular songs to play on the ukulele is Tonight you belong to me (1926), an old song that Steve Martin used in the movie The Jerk (I saw it, it's not really funny). So here are two versions, the new one "played" by Steve and then an ukulele-less one sung by The Lennon Sisters in 1956, which I love:

The Beatles also made popular a song from the twenties, Ain't she sweet (1927), you can hear Paul & George singing it here:

Here Bette Midler plays the uke version Glory of Love, from Guess Who's Coming To Dinner:

And of course I couldn't leave out the popular cover of the songs Somewhere over the rainbow (1939)/ What a wonderful world (1967) by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole:

More Happy Old Songs including Drum Boogie, Puttin' on the Ritz & It's a good day : click here!

Jan 21, 2011

Happy Old Song: Tu vuò fà l'americano

I haven't post any song for my series "Happy Old Songs" this year. This first entry is a bit different, since I'm just going to do justice to one song: Tu vuò fà l'americano. Right now, a cover of this song, We No Speak Americano by a band called Yolanda Be Cool is everywhere, even in adds with audio in lots of websites. Probably most people dancing to this techno cover doesn't know that the tune is actually 54 years old!

1956. Renato Carosone and Nicola Salerno write this song. It's about the Americanization of an Italian guy:

TRANSLATION (source):

You wear trousers with a patch at the back

A small cap with the peak up

You walk making boaster for Tuleto

Like a bully to make watched you

You want to be American

American, American

Who makes you do that

You want to follow the fashion

But if you drink whisky and soda

You don't seem to be disturbed.

You dance rock'n'roll

You play baseball

But the money to buy Camel cigarettes

Who gives them to you?

Your mother's purse!

You want to be American

American, American

But you were born in Italy

Hear me out

You've got nothing to do with it

Ok, Napolitan

You want to be American

You want to be American!

How can the one who loves you understand you

If you speak half American?

When you make love under the moon

What will you say? "I love you"?

(repeat)

1960. Sophia Loren sings it (twice) in the movie It Started in Naples (Melville Shavelson), also starring Clark Gable (I have to check this film).

2007. The Puppini Sisters, one of my favorites retro bands cover this song. There are many other versions, but this one is my favorite. Here's it live:

2010. Australian band Yolanda Be Cool releases We No Speak Americano, which becomes #1 in many countries.

Which one is your favorite?

More great music :

Happy old songs
"All I do is dream of you": pick your favorite version
Happy Old Songs are back!
Xmas albums from two of my fave retro bands :)
Happy Old Songs from Nora Ephron films
More Happy Old Songs
And even more Happy Old Songs

Dec 23, 2010

"All I do is dream of you": pick your favorite version

I love this song! Sometime ago I noticed that it was used in many movies; I'm embedding four versions (well, three because Youtube disabled the embedding option of the one from Singin' in the rain). Which one is your favorite??

1934 - Gene Raymond | Sadie McKee

1935 - Chico Marx | A night at the opera

1952 - Debbie Reynolds and chorus | Singin' in the rain

Watch in Youtube (embedding disabled)

1953 - Debbie Reynolds & Bobby Van | The Affairs of Dobie Gillis

More great music :

Happy old songs
Happy Old Songs are back!
Xmas albums from two of my fave retro bands :)
Happy Old Songs from Nora Ephron films
More Happy Old Songs
And even more Happy Old Songs

Sep 21, 2010

Happy Old Songs are back!

Readers in the mood for 5 happy old songs say AYE and press play :)

"Puttin' on the Ritz" by Clark Gable

(Irving Berling, 1959)

I love the version from "Idiot's delight" starring Clark Gable (haven't seen the whole movie). It's a short clip but always makes my day :)

"If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake" by Cake Eileen Barton

(written by Al Hoffman, Bob Merrill, and Clem Watts, 1950)

This song is ridiculously happy. Don't you just want to clap your hands?

"Sing, sing, sing" by Benny Goodman

(written by Louis Primma, 1936)

I don't know if I would call this song "happy" but it's so energizing that cheers me up.

"Rum & Coca Cola" by The Andrews Sisters

(composed by Lord Invader and Lionel Belasco)

Uhm, according to the video uploader this song is about " alcohol and... prostitution?". Well, if you just forget about that, I think this is really a happy song.

And finally, my fave of this selection...

"Drum Boogie" by Irene Daye

Well, Barbara didn't sing in this clip from "Ball of fire" (1941), but who cares? It's such a great scene, especially the part of the matches :)

Have a swell week!

Need more? Previous "Happy Old Songs" posts:

Jul 25, 2010

Happy Old Songs from Nora Ephron films

Have you noticed that the most famous movies directed or written by Nora Ephron have marvelous soundtracks that always include oldies?

I'm dedicating this post from the Happy Old Songs series to these soundtracks. Let's see:

"When Harry Met Sally" (1989)

Written by Nora, its soundtrack includes "Let's call the whole thing off" (written by the Gershwin brothers and sung by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong); "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas" sung by Bing Crosby; "It had to be you" sung by Frank Sinatra; "Say It Isn't So" (written by Irving Berlin); "Stompin' At The Savoy" (written by Benny Goodman); "Isn't It Romantic" (written by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers). Embedding the happiest from the list:

"Sleepless in Seattle" (1993)

The movie was directed by Nora and we all love it. Yeah, I'm totally generalizing, but you gotta love this film, with all the references to "An affair to remember" plus Tom + Meg at their second best. Besides it has "As times goes by", "Over the rainbow", "Jeepers Creepers", "Makin' Whoopee" (sung by Dr. John), "Stardust" by Nat King Cole, "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" by Louis Armstrong, "Sleigh Ride" (sung by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans) and the marvelous "Make Someone Happy" by Jimmy Durante. The happiest IMO (they aren't the same versions from the movie):

"You've got mail" (1999)

Marvelous movie based on the Lubitsch's classic "The Shop Around the Corner". Includes songs by Louis Armstrong ("Dummy Song"), "Over the rainbow", "Rockin Robin" by Bobby Day, "Splish Splash" by Bobby Darin, "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" (written by Joe Young and Fred E. Albert and sung by Billy Williams), "I Guess The Lord Must Be in New York City" (written and performed by Harry Nilsson). It also features "Dreams" by one of my favorite modern bands, The Cranberries.

"Bewitched" (2005)

The movie is horrible, but the soundtrack includes "Witchcraft" performed by Frank Sinatra, "L-O-V-E" by Natalie Cole, "The name song" by Shirley Ellis, "Bout Time" performed by Louis Armstrong and, of course, "Bewitched Theme".

"Julie & Julia" (2009)

I liked the movie overall, but I think it wasn't very well developed. Anyway, its soundtrack presented me "A Bushel and a Peck" (written by Frank Loesser/published in 1950). This song was first used in the Broadway show "Guys and Dolls", many singers covered it, but my favorite by far is the one by Doris Day used in the film. Oh, it also included a song by one of my grandparents' favorite singers, Charles Aznavour.

Previous "Happy Old Songs" posts:

Jul 10, 2010

Oldie remix reached #1 in the UK Dance Chart!

And it's none other than "Why don't you do right?" popularized by one of my fave singers, Peggy Lee. I listened to it today on a radio intended for young audiences, and I went like "WHAT"? The remix was made by Serbian DJ Gramophonedzie and right now is #31 in the Official UK Dance Chart, but according to Wikipedia on March it reached #1.

I'm embedding an unofficial video, because I didn't like very much the original. What do you think? Even when I'm not a fan of remixes I like the fact that oldies can be known by younger people this way :) I just hope they google who were the first interpretors.

Jun 13, 2010

And even more Happy Old Songs

To start a new week charged with positive energy, here's post #3 of my "Happy Old Songs" series.

"Pennies from Heaven" (Music by Arthur Johnston and lyrics by Johnny Burke, 1936)

I love this song, every morning I listen to it while I'm on the bus heading to the my work/internship. And I imagine the nice picture of pennies raining from heaven and sunshine and flowers, accompanied by the catchy rhythm, and all that just cheer me up, even when the morning is gray and the subway is packed up. I have two favorite versions: the one by Luois Prima (aka the voice of King Louie in "The Jungle Book") and the one I have on my mp3 by singer/classic movie lover, Emma Wallace. .

(Edited) The original post for Emma's version is here, but she gave me the embedding code so you can listening right now:

"It's a good day" (Written by Peggy Lee & Dave Barbour, 1947)

I listened this song for the first time watching a 7up commercial on tv. I thought that the song was really good and then I googled and found the name of the singer: Peggy Lee. I'm a fan of hers since then. I embedded the commercial and a live presentation.

"The lady is a tramp" (Lyrics by Lorenz Hart; music by Richard Rodgers, 1937)

I saw "Pal Joey" starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak the past year, and this is like the only thing I remember from that movie. "The lady is a tramp" was very well used in the film: the moment in which Frank tells to stiff Rita all he wanted to say using his piano and this song. I added a live version, because maybe you won't find the original as happy as I do :)

That's all for this weekend. See ya tomorrow, I'll be posting Day 08 of the Old Hollywood Meme (hopefully).

Previous Happy Old Songs Posts: 1 | 2

May 21, 2010

More Happy Old Songs

Since yesterday was such a good day, and I promised to make a new post with happy oldies, well, here there are the next three:

"La Dolce Vita" (finale) by Nino Rota.

If I learned something watching How to lose friends and alienate people, it was the fact that La Dolce Vita theme can make you smile (I mean, Fellini's film was depressing).

I uploaded the clip in Flickr, 'cause it will be probably deleted from Youtube.

"Pass me by" cover by Peggy Lee

The song was originally composed for Father Goose, but I love Peggy's version. Its rhythm really cheers you up.

"Thoroughly modern Millie" by Julie Andrews.

This is the best thing from the movie with the same name (it had its moments, but it wasn't very good overall). It's joyful, it's about the Roaring Twenties, and Julie's rendition is great.

Hope you enjoyed!

Previous Happy Old Songs Posts: 1 |

May 10, 2010

Happy old songs

Which old songs cheer you up?

Today I was listening to my mp3, and I thought to make a series of post just with music charged with positive energy...here are the first three:

"Goody Goody" cover by Julie London.

Julie is one of my favorites singers, her voice is so cool and her singing style transmits freedom: it's like 'hey, whatever, life is nice, just relax'. And listen to the beginning of this version, isn't it great how she tries once and then she just starts with the song?

I noticed that the song wasn't in Youtube, so I just had to upload it :)

"Let's Misbehave" cover by Trevor Ashley.

Every time I listen to this song I forget everything else, its rhythm is so captivating and the lyrics so liberating (There's something wild about you child, that's so contagious, let's be outrageous, let's misbehave!!!). And if you add to this song clips from screwball comedies, you have a happiness bomb: