Fantastic Foursome – Astaire Redux

Today's featured song on the GMC Special Feature known as Fantastic Foursome is another with a strong connection to Fred Astaire. For a guy who always comes to mind first and foremost as a dancer, he had quite an impact in many other ways during his long career. In this case, he not only introduced … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – Astaire Redux

Frankie Randall Had A Helping Hand From Sinatra

Way back in 2007 I put together a post titled The Quintessential Italian Crooner, in which I wrote about some of the better-known Italian/American smoothies. But even though I didn't intend that post to be all-inclusive and have written about quite a few more since then, it's still surprising how many others remain. One who … Continue reading Frankie Randall Had A Helping Hand From Sinatra

Fantastic Foursome – Concentration Is The Key

I have a little problem with this edition of Fantastic Foursome. I usually try to include a video of the definitive version of a song, then offer four different renditions that you can listen to and vote on. The only problem with today's song -- "I Concentrate On You" -- is that I'm not sure … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – Concentration Is The Key

Anatomy Of A Song – From Movies To Doo-Wop

This edition of our Anatomy of a Song feature showcases a classic that's a little unusual. Like many of the old standards, it was written for a movie way back in the golden days of Hollywood musicals, but in this case it also became a hit record decades later for a doo-wop singing group. Written … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – From Movies To Doo-Wop

Fantastic Foursome – Revisiting A Familiar Time And Place

It's been several months since our last Fantastic Foursome, so I'll remind everyone that it's the Special Feature that presents a classic song in its definitive version and then gives you four different variations. You can listen to them and - if you'd like - vote for your favorite. We seem to be featuring music … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – Revisiting A Familiar Time And Place

Fantastic Foursome – Sinatra’s Epitaph

For this edition of our Special Feature known as Fantastic Foursome, we're taking a look at a song that was written for Tony Bennett, but ended up becoming one of Frank Sinatra's favorites. In fact, "The Best is Yet to Come" was the last song he performed in public and it was also engraved on … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – Sinatra’s Epitaph

Eileen Barton And Her Unlikely Chart-Topper

Every so often I run across a song that just flat-out takes me back to my childhood. It's usually because we had the record around the house, but it helps if it was a song with a goofy component that appealed to a kid. It also helps if the title becomes a catchphrase that we … Continue reading Eileen Barton And Her Unlikely Chart-Topper

Anatomy Of A Song – Holiday Edition

I'm sure I can remember hearing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" on our record player while I was growing up, and that's entirely possible because the song is older than me -- it has been a popular holiday song for almost eight decades. One reason for that popularity might be that parents loved the … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – Holiday Edition

Fantastic Foursome – A Song Made Famous In A Classic Movie

It's been almost two months since our last Fantastic Foursome, so for newer visitors I'll explain that it's a special feature that presents four different versions of a familiar song (actually five if you count the video) and then offers you the chance to vote for your favorite. Of course, voting is optional but it's … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – A Song Made Famous In A Classic Movie

Anatomy Of A Song – Changing With The Times

A perfect example of a song that had to change with the times is Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," which began life as a commentary on scandalous Depression-era happenings. Unfortunately it was specific to the time period so it became meaningless to later generations, creating the need for the lyrics that are more familiar to modern … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – Changing With The Times