Look to the Stars (week 2)
Monday December 6
Deep in the heart of Texas
Deep in the Heart of Texas is an American popular song about Texas, a.k.a. The Lone Star State. It was written in 1941 with lyrics by June Hershey and music by Don Swander. A notable early recording features Perry Como.
Recording
Tuesday December 7
Swinging on a star
Swinging on a Star is a well known song with music composed by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1944 film Going My Way, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. Bryan and I have sung this many times and thoroughly enjoying performing it. Alas, we do not have a good recording of us to include here, but here we are with the final few bars. Now over to Bing.
Recording
Wednesday December 8
L’étoile overture
L'étoile is an opéra bouffe in three acts by the French composer, Emmanuel Chabrier. It premiered on 28 November 1877 in Paris. In 2016, Bryan and I saw a production of the opera at the Royal Opera. It reminded us of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera in terms of the rather silly, but enjoyable plot.
Explanation of the story of the opera (1 min)
Overture (5 mins)
Thursday December 9
Somewhere out there
Somewhere Out There is a song recorded by American singers Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram for the closing credits of the animated film An American Tail. The film tells the story of Fievel Mousekewitz and his family as they emigrate from Russia to the United States. The film was released in the United States on 21 November 1986. Relevant words are: It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star.
Cartoon characters
Ronstadt and Ingram
Friday December 10
The Star Spangled Banner
The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. In true Tonic Jukebox fashion, here are two very different recordings of the piece. Your thoughts, as ever, welcome on Facebook.
Recording 1
Recording 2
Saturday December 11
I can give you the starlight
The Dancing Years is a musical with book and music by Ivor Novello and lyrics by Christopher Hassall. Memorable songs include Waltz of my Heart, My Dearest Dear and I Can Give You the Starlight.
Vanessa Lee (1920 - 1992) was a British actress and singer, known for her appearances in Ivor Novello's musicals.
Performance
WARNING: This next recording is not for the faint hearted. I include it under the heading of - Just because you are a famous singer doesn't mean you can get away with all styles of music.
Bad performance
Possibly a good idea to go back now to the first recording.
Sunday December 12
Good Morning Starshine
Hair is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. It dates from 1967.
Good Morning Starshine is a song from the second act of the musical. It was a No. 3 hit in the United States in July 1969 and a No. 6 hit in the United Kingdom in October 1969 for the singer Oliver.
Recording
Deep in the heart of Texas
Deep in the Heart of Texas is an American popular song about Texas, a.k.a. The Lone Star State. It was written in 1941 with lyrics by June Hershey and music by Don Swander. A notable early recording features Perry Como.
Recording
Tuesday December 7
Swinging on a star
Swinging on a Star is a well known song with music composed by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1944 film Going My Way, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. Bryan and I have sung this many times and thoroughly enjoying performing it. Alas, we do not have a good recording of us to include here, but here we are with the final few bars. Now over to Bing.
Recording
Wednesday December 8
L’étoile overture
L'étoile is an opéra bouffe in three acts by the French composer, Emmanuel Chabrier. It premiered on 28 November 1877 in Paris. In 2016, Bryan and I saw a production of the opera at the Royal Opera. It reminded us of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera in terms of the rather silly, but enjoyable plot.
Explanation of the story of the opera (1 min)
Overture (5 mins)
Thursday December 9
Somewhere out there
Somewhere Out There is a song recorded by American singers Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram for the closing credits of the animated film An American Tail. The film tells the story of Fievel Mousekewitz and his family as they emigrate from Russia to the United States. The film was released in the United States on 21 November 1986. Relevant words are: It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star.
Cartoon characters
Ronstadt and Ingram
Friday December 10
The Star Spangled Banner
The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. In true Tonic Jukebox fashion, here are two very different recordings of the piece. Your thoughts, as ever, welcome on Facebook.
Recording 1
Recording 2
Saturday December 11
I can give you the starlight
The Dancing Years is a musical with book and music by Ivor Novello and lyrics by Christopher Hassall. Memorable songs include Waltz of my Heart, My Dearest Dear and I Can Give You the Starlight.
Vanessa Lee (1920 - 1992) was a British actress and singer, known for her appearances in Ivor Novello's musicals.
Performance
WARNING: This next recording is not for the faint hearted. I include it under the heading of - Just because you are a famous singer doesn't mean you can get away with all styles of music.
Bad performance
Possibly a good idea to go back now to the first recording.
Sunday December 12
Good Morning Starshine
Hair is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. It dates from 1967.
Good Morning Starshine is a song from the second act of the musical. It was a No. 3 hit in the United States in July 1969 and a No. 6 hit in the United Kingdom in October 1969 for the singer Oliver.
Recording