I recently had an epiphany. 1> I’m definitely getting older, and 2> being a parent really restricts your enjoyment of popular music. You start to see stalkers where you once saw admirers. You see pushy potential abusers where you once saw ardent and determined wooers. Here's an example of what I mean: I was listening … Continue reading One of those, “you know you’re getting old when…” moments.
music
Irony, thy name is Disney’s Animated “Robin Hood”
Early this morning, I had the "Phony King of England" running through my head. In it, Little John sings, "Oh the world will sing of an English King thousand years from now And not because he passed some laws Or had that lofty brow" And it suddenly occurred to me, the only thing most people … Continue reading Irony, thy name is Disney’s Animated “Robin Hood”
In a deserted factory in Brno, Czech Republic….
In a section of town that the artists admit are "industrial areas of where you should not walk alone in the dark..." you get something fun and fantastic as this (found on the Montreal Swing Riot Facebook page and originally posted by Daniil Nikulin & Maria Filippova with Peter & Pavli - Lindy Hoppers.) https://www.facebook.com/daniilandmaria/videos/1074342082731967/
The Nicholas Brothers
Here is an amazing pair of dancers! Fayard and Harold Nicholas who performed as the Nicholas Brothers. They even taught dance to Michael and Janet Jackson (and I think it shows!) among others. Both Fred Astaire and Mikhail Baryshnikov praised them for their work, Astaire calling this clip "The greatest dance number ever filmed." This … Continue reading The Nicholas Brothers
Wish we could all enjoy our differences like this!
For the past few years, the Montreal Swing Riot provided classes and performances during the Montreal Jazz Festival. They also had a series of competitions including an event that "pits a battle of styles". Here is one example from 2015. How did I find out about this group? An article about the Riot's competition of … Continue reading Wish we could all enjoy our differences like this!
1912-13 and 1927-28 music for Unexpected Danger and its sequel
Since Christopher Tobias' last access to popular music before Unexpected Danger was 1913, I thought I'd look into the sort of thing he might have heard. These are what I came up with. The Peelenium links are original recordings from the time period chosen to represent their time-periods in a millenium celebration (1999). http://peel.wikia.com/wiki/Peelenium_1912 http://peel.wikia.com/wiki/Peelenium_1913 … Continue reading 1912-13 and 1927-28 music for Unexpected Danger and its sequel
Britain’s Roaring 20’s music
This is the same group as before. A little more specific in geographical area, a little less on date. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeVAA05EuK4
Music of 1928
An interesting selection of music from the time of Unexpected Danger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3S7wcwSVaw
History: And They Call Economics “the Cynical Science!”
When popular and academic history won't let you appreciate beauty.
Connections
You ever have that weird mental jump when two separate things suddenly become connected in your mind? And then you can't seem separate them again, ever? With me, it's the song "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen and "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I know: "Where the heck did that come from?" Perhaps it's the effect … Continue reading Connections
Lisa E. Pugh, author 