Look to the Stars (week 1)
During the month of December 2021 we at Tonic Jukebox turn our attention to the stars. You might have one on your Chanukiah (Festival of Chanukah from 28/11 to 5/12), Christmas tree, or just like to look up at the night sky, light pollution permitting. Expect the usual eclectic mix of music all of which has something to do with stars. The difference from our usual format is that there will be a new piece on each of the 31 days of the month.
Wednesday December 1
Starmaker
We start the month with one of my favourites to play/sing. We included it in Tonic Choir repertoire in the early days and even sang it at the Southbank Centre in January 2011 during a workshop with Mary King.
Starmaker is a song written by Bruce Roberts and Carole Bayer Sager in 1977. It was later popularised in 1982 as the second single by The Kids from Fame, the recording group of the Fame TV series based on the 1980 film of the same name.
Recording
Thursday December 2
Star Trek theme
Star Trek is an American science-fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that follows the adventures of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) and its crew. It's mission, which started in 1966, has always been 'to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations, to boldly go where no man has gone before'. First played in Jukebox in week 60.
Performance
Friday December 3
Song to the Evening Star (O du mein holder Abendstern)
This beautiful song from Wagner's Tannhäuser first featured on Jukebox in week 49. The recording we used then is no longer available. Bryn Terfel is an excellent replacement.
Performance
Lyrics
Saturday December 4
Wand'rin' Star
Paint Your Wagon is a 1969 Western musical film starring Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, and Jean Seberg. The film was adapted from the 1951 musical Paint Your Wagon by Lerner and Loewe. In many ways it is a strange film, but I rather liked it, even watching Clint Eastwood singing about talking to trees. Wand'rin' Star was a number one single in March 1970 for Lee Marvin in the UK.
Recording
Sunday December 5
Vincent
The song was written by Don McLean as a tribute to the artist, Van Gogh. It first appeared on Jukebox in week 38, our week of music inspired by art. "Starry, starry night"
Don McLean sings Vincent
Starmaker
We start the month with one of my favourites to play/sing. We included it in Tonic Choir repertoire in the early days and even sang it at the Southbank Centre in January 2011 during a workshop with Mary King.
Starmaker is a song written by Bruce Roberts and Carole Bayer Sager in 1977. It was later popularised in 1982 as the second single by The Kids from Fame, the recording group of the Fame TV series based on the 1980 film of the same name.
Recording
Thursday December 2
Star Trek theme
Star Trek is an American science-fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that follows the adventures of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) and its crew. It's mission, which started in 1966, has always been 'to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations, to boldly go where no man has gone before'. First played in Jukebox in week 60.
Performance
Friday December 3
Song to the Evening Star (O du mein holder Abendstern)
This beautiful song from Wagner's Tannhäuser first featured on Jukebox in week 49. The recording we used then is no longer available. Bryn Terfel is an excellent replacement.
Performance
Lyrics
Saturday December 4
Wand'rin' Star
Paint Your Wagon is a 1969 Western musical film starring Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, and Jean Seberg. The film was adapted from the 1951 musical Paint Your Wagon by Lerner and Loewe. In many ways it is a strange film, but I rather liked it, even watching Clint Eastwood singing about talking to trees. Wand'rin' Star was a number one single in March 1970 for Lee Marvin in the UK.
Recording
Sunday December 5
Vincent
The song was written by Don McLean as a tribute to the artist, Van Gogh. It first appeared on Jukebox in week 38, our week of music inspired by art. "Starry, starry night"
Don McLean sings Vincent