RoR: Forum

Chris said -

As a youth growing up in the 1970s, I was frequently derided by my disco buddies for my love of "Old Fogey" music.

Well, as a youth growing up in the 2000's, i'm frequently derided my (quote Linz) 'Caterwauling Heading Banging' buddies for also having a love of American Standards.

My absolute favourite has to be George & Ira Gershwin's 'I'll build a stairway to paradise' the lyrics are K-ASS.

Chorus

I'll build a stairway to Paradise
With a new step ev'ry day !

I'm gonna get there at any price;
Stand aside, I'm on my way !

I've got the blues
And up above it's so fair.
Shoes ! Go on and carry me there !

I'll build a stairway to Paradise
With a new step ev'ry day.

The best version was performed by Georges Guetary in 'An American in Paris'.

I start my day with it.

Post 21

Friday, January 28, 2005 - 6:11am

Lindsay,

I promise you I will! Is there a sound file anywhere on the Net? (Or clip--I can't buy music these days.)

Not that I don't absolutely love some singers--I just have a focus on songs as such.

(Edited by Rodney Rawlings on 1/28, 8:21am)

Post 22

Friday, January 28, 2005 - 6:29am

When the film That's Entertainment came out, I saw it as a sign the return of sophisticated, positive music and entertainment after a Dark Age in which the values of Woodstock and hippies had ruled.

For me the standout performances in that marvelous compilation of MGM footage both involved Judy Garland: "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" and "A Couple of Swells." The latter, written by Irving Berlin, was a gentle atom bomb that left the audience stunned for a few seconds, after which they applauded in the theater.

Correction: I can get excited over Judy Garland. (And I'm not gay, damn you hippies!)

Post 23

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 8:05am

Here's another post on a positive topic that just came up on my "random past articles" list, and which deserves resurrection.

FYI, the forthcoming issue of The New Individualist will carry a long article on the revival of the "standards" -- a fine survey piece by Robert Jones titled, "Raising 'the Standards'." I'm sure that many of you who have commented here about Chris's post will enjoy that article very much. It may direct you to a number of performers and works that you might not yet know, but should.

Post 24

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 10:50am