Tonic Jukebox History
WEEK NINETEEN - Mythical Places
This week we take you on a musical tour of places that really don't exist.
Monday July 20
The Land of Oz (Munchkin Land)
- just a short and wind-assisted flight from Kansas -
The music was composed by Harold Arlen, and the lyrics by Yip Harburg.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road, from the 1939 film, the Wizard of Oz, of course.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3DD3vDyuog&list=PLiJRb8SeMsGJ1qsspWicEVGfOB3BG4EAm&index=7
Tuesday July 21
Camelot
- Cornwall, Somerset, Winchester, or thereabouts
The music was composed by Frederick Loewe, and the lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner.
A 1978 performance of the title song by Richard Burton, who first performed on Broadway as King Arthur in the original 1960 stage production. The film dates from 1967 when Richard Harris played King Arthur.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h7E5rtnFH4
Two things to note towards the end of this clip - Burton's superb acting and some over excitement from the tenors. Does this sound familiar Tonic Extra tenors?
Wednesday July 22
El Dorado
- somewhere in South America
The musical is Candide with music by Leonard Bernstein. There were many contributors to the lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUrLVBRFEv0
This is taken from a concert performance in London in 1989.
Bernstein conducted and it was one of his last appearances; he died the following year.
I have a DVD of this concert and it is wonderful to watch Bernstein conduct and comment during the show.
Highly recommended.
Thursday July 23
Brigadoon
- north of the border
The music was composed by Frederick Loewe, and the lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner.
Here are two tracks from the 1954 movie - the title song and Almost Like Being in Love:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igs5UGskGTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qYCDEsersw
As well as being a lovely Gene Kelly moment, this song has always been one of my (Philip's) favourites.
Of the hundreds of songs I have sung, at home and on stage, this is one of a very few that feels as though it is part of my DNA.
A bit fanciful possibly, but there it is.
Friday July 24
Rainbow Valley
- in the US state of Missitucky (a fictitious blend of Mississippi and Kentucky)
The musical is Finian’s Rainbow with music by Burton Lane, and lyrics by Yip Harburg.
How are things in Glocca Morra?
Sung by Petula Clark alongside Fred Astaire - a lovely combination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbjEkST6fcA
Weekend July 25/26
Anatevka
- somewhere in Russia
The musical is Fiddler on the Roof with music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWiRetxeviw
Leaving your home village under threat of violence was the story of my family.
Sadly this is as prevalent today as it was 100 years ago.
I dedicate today's clip to all those people throughout the world who have been forced from their homes.
The Land of Oz (Munchkin Land)
- just a short and wind-assisted flight from Kansas -
The music was composed by Harold Arlen, and the lyrics by Yip Harburg.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road, from the 1939 film, the Wizard of Oz, of course.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3DD3vDyuog&list=PLiJRb8SeMsGJ1qsspWicEVGfOB3BG4EAm&index=7
Tuesday July 21
Camelot
- Cornwall, Somerset, Winchester, or thereabouts
The music was composed by Frederick Loewe, and the lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner.
A 1978 performance of the title song by Richard Burton, who first performed on Broadway as King Arthur in the original 1960 stage production. The film dates from 1967 when Richard Harris played King Arthur.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h7E5rtnFH4
Two things to note towards the end of this clip - Burton's superb acting and some over excitement from the tenors. Does this sound familiar Tonic Extra tenors?
Wednesday July 22
El Dorado
- somewhere in South America
The musical is Candide with music by Leonard Bernstein. There were many contributors to the lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUrLVBRFEv0
This is taken from a concert performance in London in 1989.
Bernstein conducted and it was one of his last appearances; he died the following year.
I have a DVD of this concert and it is wonderful to watch Bernstein conduct and comment during the show.
Highly recommended.
Thursday July 23
Brigadoon
- north of the border
The music was composed by Frederick Loewe, and the lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner.
Here are two tracks from the 1954 movie - the title song and Almost Like Being in Love:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igs5UGskGTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qYCDEsersw
As well as being a lovely Gene Kelly moment, this song has always been one of my (Philip's) favourites.
Of the hundreds of songs I have sung, at home and on stage, this is one of a very few that feels as though it is part of my DNA.
A bit fanciful possibly, but there it is.
Friday July 24
Rainbow Valley
- in the US state of Missitucky (a fictitious blend of Mississippi and Kentucky)
The musical is Finian’s Rainbow with music by Burton Lane, and lyrics by Yip Harburg.
How are things in Glocca Morra?
Sung by Petula Clark alongside Fred Astaire - a lovely combination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbjEkST6fcA
Weekend July 25/26
Anatevka
- somewhere in Russia
The musical is Fiddler on the Roof with music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWiRetxeviw
Leaving your home village under threat of violence was the story of my family.
Sadly this is as prevalent today as it was 100 years ago.
I dedicate today's clip to all those people throughout the world who have been forced from their homes.