Showing posts with label singer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label singer. Show all posts
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Monday, June 4, 2012
Movin' with Nancy
Here's a repost from 2009. Enjoy!
Anybody who has been over to my house for any kind of viewing party already knows that I've been obsessed with Nancy Sinatra's MOVIN' WITH NANCY special for about ten years now.
Originally broadcast on NBC in 1967, this amazing hour-long showcase features Nancy in a series of short films, both alone and with guest stars Lee Hazelwood, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., dancer David Winters and her dad, Frank. 
The special aired in conjunction with the release of the Movin' with Nancy LP.
Pre-dating MTV by more than a decade, each song is performed as an individual "music video"-and even the commercials for sponsor Royal Crown Cola (RC, the one with the Mad, Mad taste) are works of art. 
The show opens with Nancy exclaiming I Gotta Get Out of This Town–as she does just that - in her inimitable Nancy style.
After an introduction by Art Linkletter telling us about RC Cola is made, we are treated to the first fabulous commercial...
Just when you think you've seen the Mad, Mad, Madest performance - Nancy pulls out all the stops with a medley of three spooky songs set at an abandoned amusement park. Friday's Child, See The Little Children and Who Will Buy?
So, if you are ever in the mood for a good, old-fashioned 1960s musical journey starring a certain bubbly blonde Italian-American songstress. Just sit back, pour yourself a chalice of RC Cola and lose yourself in the splendor known as MOVIN' WITH NANCY!
As a special bonus, here's a fab RC Cola print ad from 1969 - when it looks like they were transitioning from their old Royal Crown Cola logo to the more familiar 1970s RC Cola design. The model bears a resemblance to Meredith MacRae.
Anybody who has been over to my house for any kind of viewing party already knows that I've been obsessed with Nancy Sinatra's MOVIN' WITH NANCY special for about ten years now.Originally broadcast on NBC in 1967, this amazing hour-long showcase features Nancy in a series of short films, both alone and with guest stars Lee Hazelwood, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., dancer David Winters and her dad, Frank. The special aired in conjunction with the release of the Movin' with Nancy LP.Pre-dating MTV by more than a decade, each song is performed as an individual "music video"-and even the commercials for sponsor Royal Crown Cola (RC, the one with the Mad, Mad taste) are works of art. 
The show opens with Nancy exclaiming I Gotta Get Out of This Town–as she does just that - in her inimitable Nancy style. After an introduction by Art Linkletter telling us about RC Cola is made, we are treated to the first fabulous commercial...
Back to the show and Nancy is still moving - this time in a hot air balloon as she croons the Fifth Dimension classic Up, Up And Away.
Two Lee Hazelwood duets follow, sandwiching an epic RC Cola ad featuring somebody named Robie Porter that has got to be seen to be believed! Unfortunately I don't have that clip to show you.
Following the second number with Lee, Nancy goes solo again – performing to a with a bunch of mannequins in downtown LA with This Town.
Yes, it is as sick and wonderful as it sounds. Next up are two songs with her godfather Dean Martin and then a totally groovy RC Cola ad freaturing Dino (Martin), Desi (Arnaz, Jr.) & Billy (somebody).
After a visit from uncle Sammy, Nancy performs another solo number, Wait Till You See Him and then daddy Frank shows up for two songs. After which, Nancy's second and even more crazy RC Cola ad runs:
Two Lee Hazelwood duets follow, sandwiching an epic RC Cola ad featuring somebody named Robie Porter that has got to be seen to be believed! Unfortunately I don't have that clip to show you.
Following the second number with Lee, Nancy goes solo again – performing to a with a bunch of mannequins in downtown LA with This Town.
Yes, it is as sick and wonderful as it sounds. Next up are two songs with her godfather Dean Martin and then a totally groovy RC Cola ad freaturing Dino (Martin), Desi (Arnaz, Jr.) & Billy (somebody).After a visit from uncle Sammy, Nancy performs another solo number, Wait Till You See Him and then daddy Frank shows up for two songs. After which, Nancy's second and even more crazy RC Cola ad runs:
Just when you think you've seen the Mad, Mad, Madest performance - Nancy pulls out all the stops with a medley of three spooky songs set at an abandoned amusement park. Friday's Child, See The Little Children and Who Will Buy?
I should mention that choreographer David Winters and his very flexible dance troupe appear throughout the show. David even received an Emmy nomination for his work on this show.
So, if you are ever in the mood for a good, old-fashioned 1960s musical journey starring a certain bubbly blonde Italian-American songstress. Just sit back, pour yourself a chalice of RC Cola and lose yourself in the splendor known as MOVIN' WITH NANCY!As a special bonus, here's a fab RC Cola print ad from 1969 - when it looks like they were transitioning from their old Royal Crown Cola logo to the more familiar 1970s RC Cola design. The model bears a resemblance to Meredith MacRae.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Return of...Black Diva History Month, Part 1 (1886-1929)
Rerunning a series from last year, because we need these ladies more now than ever before.
No disrespect to Black History Month proper, but I've decided to use February as a time to look at some of my favorite divas of color. Unlike most gay men, my favorite black female singers for the most part have not had a hit on the charts in probably the past two, or even three decades. Most have never recorded an MTV video and a good percentage of them are no longer among the living. Most are from the US, though few are from other places–either by birth or by choice. Whether they sang jazz, the blues, soul, R & B, funk or good old standards from the American songbook, what these amazing, strong women have in common is that they helped shaped music history and a few of them are still out there, still working hard to secure their place in the tapestry of American experience. I don't consider this a complete list, but rather a tribute to the fine women whose work I have enjoyed over the years.
Ma Rainey (Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett 1886-1939) was one of the first known blues singers to record. She was known as The Mother of the Blues and she influenced every major blues performer to come along after her.
Bessie Smith (1894 -1937) was an blues singer famous for recording WC Handy’s St. Louis Blues and performing it in the 1929 film of the same name. Dying from injuries sustained in a car accident, Smith’s grave went unmarked until 1970 when Janis Joplin paid for a tombstone. Ironically, Joplin would die later that same year.
Alberta Hunter (1895 - 1984) was an blues singer, songwriter, and registered nurse! Her career had started back in the early 1920s, and she became a recording artist, retiring in the 1950s. Alberta then entered the medical profession, where she stayed for over 20 years, only to resume her singing career in her later years!
Ethel Waters (1896-1977) was an blues and jazz singer. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for her acting in the film 1949 film PINKY. Her most famous recording was the spiritual His Eye is on the Sparrow, though her version of Irving Berlin’s Heat Wave is a personal favorite of mine.
No disrespect to Black History Month proper, but I've decided to use February as a time to look at some of my favorite divas of color. Unlike most gay men, my favorite black female singers for the most part have not had a hit on the charts in probably the past two, or even three decades. Most have never recorded an MTV video and a good percentage of them are no longer among the living. Most are from the US, though few are from other places–either by birth or by choice. Whether they sang jazz, the blues, soul, R & B, funk or good old standards from the American songbook, what these amazing, strong women have in common is that they helped shaped music history and a few of them are still out there, still working hard to secure their place in the tapestry of American experience. I don't consider this a complete list, but rather a tribute to the fine women whose work I have enjoyed over the years.Ma Rainey (Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett 1886-1939) was one of the first known blues singers to record. She was known as The Mother of the Blues and she influenced every major blues performer to come along after her.
Bessie Smith (1894 -1937) was an blues singer famous for recording WC Handy’s St. Louis Blues and performing it in the 1929 film of the same name. Dying from injuries sustained in a car accident, Smith’s grave went unmarked until 1970 when Janis Joplin paid for a tombstone. Ironically, Joplin would die later that same year.
Alberta Hunter (1895 - 1984) was an blues singer, songwriter, and registered nurse! Her career had started back in the early 1920s, and she became a recording artist, retiring in the 1950s. Alberta then entered the medical profession, where she stayed for over 20 years, only to resume her singing career in her later years!
Ethel Waters (1896-1977) was an blues and jazz singer. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for her acting in the film 1949 film PINKY. Her most famous recording was the spiritual His Eye is on the Sparrow, though her version of Irving Berlin’s Heat Wave is a personal favorite of mine.Josephine Baker (1906 – 1975) was a controversial American expatriate entertainer who became a celebrated French citizen in 1937. She was given the nicknames the "Bronze Venus," "Black Pearl", "Créole Goddess" and in France, she was known as "La Baker". She was portrayed by Lynn Whitfield in 1991 TV film, THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY.
Maxine Sullivan (1911 —1987) was an blues, jazz singer and musician. In the mid 1950s (similar to Alberta Hunter) became a trained nurse. In 1968, she made a comeback, singing at music festivals and even playing brass instruments. A swinging version of he Scottish folk song Loch Lomond was her signature song.
Billie Holiday (Eleanora Fagan Gough 1915 –1959) was a legendary American jazz singer and songwriter. Lady Day’s tragic story was famously told in the 1972 film LADY SINGS THE BLUES. Her recording of “Strange Fruit” about lynching is one of the most powerful songs ever recorded. In a 1958 interview, she complained that many people did not understand the song’s message: “They’ll ask me to ‘sing that sexy song about the people swinging.’”
Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) One of the few ladies on my list that I had the pleasure of seeing perform live. Ella earned the title “First Lady of Song.” Winning countless awards and honors, her well-deserved mainstream success made her a sought-after guest on numerous TV shows. There will never be another Ella.
Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (born June 30, 1917) is an American singer and actress. She has recorded and performed extensively on stage, in film and on TV. She is most famous for performing Stormy Weather. As of this writing, Ms. Horne is still alive - living in New York City and enjoying her retirement.
Pearl Mae Bailey (1918-1990) was an much-loved singer and actress. She appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway and in films. In 1968, she won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of HELLO, DOLLY! She then appeared with Carol Channing in a memorable 1969 TV special. Pearl was a regular fixture on TV talk shows in the 1970s.
Carmen Mercedes McRae (1920 – 1994) was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Her recording of Imagination is one of my favorite songs of all time. I recall seeing her performing live and she profusely thanked her Japanese fans for supporting her over the years, when American audiences turned away from jazz.
Dorothy Jean Dandridge (1922–1965) was an Academy Award-nominated American actress and pop singer. She starred in CARMEN JONES in 1954. She was portrayed by Halle Berry in the 1999 HBO film, INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE.
Dinah Washington (1924 – 1963) was dubbed the original ”Queen of the Blues”. Her recording of What a Diff'rence a Day Makes is an all-time classic and Drinking Again is a personal favorite of mine. Sadly, she died at age 39, from an overdose of diet pills mixed with alcohol.
Sarah Lois Vaughan (nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One") (1924 –1990) was a legendary American jazz singer. I was lucky enough to see Sarah live at The Blue Note in NYC in the 1980s, as she celebrated five decades of outstanding performance. Sitting less than a foot away from her, as she crooned all the classics- I was overwhelmed by her presence, it felt like being among royalty.
Big Maybelle (Mable Louis Smith, 1924-1972) was one of the top Rhythm & Blues singers of the 1950s. She was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, for her hit single Candy.
Willie Mae ("Big Mama") Thornton (1926 -1984) was an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record the hit song Hound Dog in 1952. 
Eartha Mae Kitt (1927 – 2008) was an actress, singer, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her 1953 Christmas song Santa Baby and her role of Catwoman in the third season of the BATMAN television series.
Ruth Brown (1928-2006) "Miss Rhythm" Brown was the top-selling Atlantic Records recording artist and was dubbed “the girl with the teardrop in her voice”. Ruth was featured in the original John Waters’ film HAIRSPRAY (1986) as Motormouth Maybelle. She also won a Tony Award for her performance in BLACK AND BLUE. I had the honor of seeing Miss Brown perform live several times, including in the off-Broadway show STAGERLEE.
Etta Jones (1928-2001) was highly underrated jazz singer whose relative obscurity earned her a reputation as a "jazz musician's jazz singer". She was often confused with Etta James.
Koko Taylor (Cora Walton, 1928-) is an blues musician, also known as the "Queen of the Blues." Her trademark rough and powerful vocals have made her a living legend.
Betty Carter (Lillie Mae Jones, 1929 -1998) was a jazz singer who was known for her unusual improvisational technique . Her first solo LP, Out There with Betty Carter, features the classic You’re Getting To Be Habit With Me and her album of duets with Ray Charles in 1961, include the popular tune Holiday tune Baby, It's Cold Outside.
More to come...
Maxine Sullivan (1911 —1987) was an blues, jazz singer and musician. In the mid 1950s (similar to Alberta Hunter) became a trained nurse. In 1968, she made a comeback, singing at music festivals and even playing brass instruments. A swinging version of he Scottish folk song Loch Lomond was her signature song.
Billie Holiday (Eleanora Fagan Gough 1915 –1959) was a legendary American jazz singer and songwriter. Lady Day’s tragic story was famously told in the 1972 film LADY SINGS THE BLUES. Her recording of “Strange Fruit” about lynching is one of the most powerful songs ever recorded. In a 1958 interview, she complained that many people did not understand the song’s message: “They’ll ask me to ‘sing that sexy song about the people swinging.’”
Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) One of the few ladies on my list that I had the pleasure of seeing perform live. Ella earned the title “First Lady of Song.” Winning countless awards and honors, her well-deserved mainstream success made her a sought-after guest on numerous TV shows. There will never be another Ella.
Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (born June 30, 1917) is an American singer and actress. She has recorded and performed extensively on stage, in film and on TV. She is most famous for performing Stormy Weather. As of this writing, Ms. Horne is still alive - living in New York City and enjoying her retirement.
Pearl Mae Bailey (1918-1990) was an much-loved singer and actress. She appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway and in films. In 1968, she won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of HELLO, DOLLY! She then appeared with Carol Channing in a memorable 1969 TV special. Pearl was a regular fixture on TV talk shows in the 1970s.
Carmen Mercedes McRae (1920 – 1994) was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Her recording of Imagination is one of my favorite songs of all time. I recall seeing her performing live and she profusely thanked her Japanese fans for supporting her over the years, when American audiences turned away from jazz.Dorothy Jean Dandridge (1922–1965) was an Academy Award-nominated American actress and pop singer. She starred in CARMEN JONES in 1954. She was portrayed by Halle Berry in the 1999 HBO film, INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE.
Dinah Washington (1924 – 1963) was dubbed the original ”Queen of the Blues”. Her recording of What a Diff'rence a Day Makes is an all-time classic and Drinking Again is a personal favorite of mine. Sadly, she died at age 39, from an overdose of diet pills mixed with alcohol.
Sarah Lois Vaughan (nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One") (1924 –1990) was a legendary American jazz singer. I was lucky enough to see Sarah live at The Blue Note in NYC in the 1980s, as she celebrated five decades of outstanding performance. Sitting less than a foot away from her, as she crooned all the classics- I was overwhelmed by her presence, it felt like being among royalty.
Big Maybelle (Mable Louis Smith, 1924-1972) was one of the top Rhythm & Blues singers of the 1950s. She was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, for her hit single Candy.
Willie Mae ("Big Mama") Thornton (1926 -1984) was an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record the hit song Hound Dog in 1952. 
Eartha Mae Kitt (1927 – 2008) was an actress, singer, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her 1953 Christmas song Santa Baby and her role of Catwoman in the third season of the BATMAN television series.
Ruth Brown (1928-2006) "Miss Rhythm" Brown was the top-selling Atlantic Records recording artist and was dubbed “the girl with the teardrop in her voice”. Ruth was featured in the original John Waters’ film HAIRSPRAY (1986) as Motormouth Maybelle. She also won a Tony Award for her performance in BLACK AND BLUE. I had the honor of seeing Miss Brown perform live several times, including in the off-Broadway show STAGERLEE.
Etta Jones (1928-2001) was highly underrated jazz singer whose relative obscurity earned her a reputation as a "jazz musician's jazz singer". She was often confused with Etta James.
Koko Taylor (Cora Walton, 1928-) is an blues musician, also known as the "Queen of the Blues." Her trademark rough and powerful vocals have made her a living legend.
Betty Carter (Lillie Mae Jones, 1929 -1998) was a jazz singer who was known for her unusual improvisational technique . Her first solo LP, Out There with Betty Carter, features the classic You’re Getting To Be Habit With Me and her album of duets with Ray Charles in 1961, include the popular tune Holiday tune Baby, It's Cold Outside.More to come...
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