Look to the Stars (week 5)
Monday December 27
Star Wars
Star Wars started with a blockbuster of a film in 1977 and has grown into a multi-film phenomenon.
The Star Wars theme was written by John Williams and in this video we see him conducting his own work. Williams is rightly regarded as one of the greatest composers of film music of all time and it's always special to see composers conducting their own work. First appearance in Tonic Jukebox in week 36.
Performance
Tuesday December 28
You Are My Lucky Star
Singin' in the Rain is a 1952 American musical romantic comedy film, arguably one of the best musical comedy films of all time.
The plot revolves around the voice of Kathy played by Debbie Reynolds being used to replace the voice of Lina, played by Jean Hagen. Strange then that Reynolds herself was dubbed by Betty Noyes for the songs, Would You? and You Are My Lucky Star. Reynolds' solo version of You Are My Lucky Star (to a billboard showing an image of Gene Kelly) was cut after previews. Here is the solo version which you may not have seen before. I know I hadn't before I found this.
Solo version which did not appear in the movie
Part of the song did however make it into the final movie with Reynolds' voice dubbed by Betty Noyes.
Final version of the ending as seen in the movie
Here is an earlier take of the ending with Debbie Reynolds' voice, not Betty Noyes. You will find that the ending is different as there is no chorus.
Earlier version of the ending which didn't make the final cut
Wednesday December 29
Nessun Dorma (None shall sleep)
Turandot is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini. Some useful background to the opera and this aria can be found in Jukebox week 36. Making his second appearance this month, one of the all time great stars of the operatic stage. Relevant text: Guardi le stelle che tremano d'amore e di speranza! Watch the stars, that tremble with love, and with hope.
Nessun Dorma
Lyrics (including translation)
Thursday December 30
Catch a falling star
Catch a Falling Star is a song written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. It was made famous by Perry Como's hit version, recorded and released in late 1957. Philip's personal note: This was one of a small number of songs my mother taught me when I was very young and then encouraged me to sing for visitors to the house. Being a VERY shy child I usually resorted to singing from the hall so that they couldn't see me. Nothing much changed there then.
Recording
Friday December 31
Evergreen
Evergreen is the theme song from the 1976 film A Star Is Born. (A Star is Born is the title of movies released in 1937, 1954, 1976, and 2018.) It was composed and performed by Barbra Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams. At the 49th Academy Awards (Oscars) the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Barbra Streisand became the only woman in history to win the Academy Awards for both Best Actress and Best Original Song. One of the truly great stars to end our month of stars.
Recording
Tonic Jukebox returns in February. The theme, unsurprisingly, will be 'love'.
Star Wars
Star Wars started with a blockbuster of a film in 1977 and has grown into a multi-film phenomenon.
The Star Wars theme was written by John Williams and in this video we see him conducting his own work. Williams is rightly regarded as one of the greatest composers of film music of all time and it's always special to see composers conducting their own work. First appearance in Tonic Jukebox in week 36.
Performance
Tuesday December 28
You Are My Lucky Star
Singin' in the Rain is a 1952 American musical romantic comedy film, arguably one of the best musical comedy films of all time.
The plot revolves around the voice of Kathy played by Debbie Reynolds being used to replace the voice of Lina, played by Jean Hagen. Strange then that Reynolds herself was dubbed by Betty Noyes for the songs, Would You? and You Are My Lucky Star. Reynolds' solo version of You Are My Lucky Star (to a billboard showing an image of Gene Kelly) was cut after previews. Here is the solo version which you may not have seen before. I know I hadn't before I found this.
Solo version which did not appear in the movie
Part of the song did however make it into the final movie with Reynolds' voice dubbed by Betty Noyes.
Final version of the ending as seen in the movie
Here is an earlier take of the ending with Debbie Reynolds' voice, not Betty Noyes. You will find that the ending is different as there is no chorus.
Earlier version of the ending which didn't make the final cut
Wednesday December 29
Nessun Dorma (None shall sleep)
Turandot is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini. Some useful background to the opera and this aria can be found in Jukebox week 36. Making his second appearance this month, one of the all time great stars of the operatic stage. Relevant text: Guardi le stelle che tremano d'amore e di speranza! Watch the stars, that tremble with love, and with hope.
Nessun Dorma
Lyrics (including translation)
Thursday December 30
Catch a falling star
Catch a Falling Star is a song written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. It was made famous by Perry Como's hit version, recorded and released in late 1957. Philip's personal note: This was one of a small number of songs my mother taught me when I was very young and then encouraged me to sing for visitors to the house. Being a VERY shy child I usually resorted to singing from the hall so that they couldn't see me. Nothing much changed there then.
Recording
Friday December 31
Evergreen
Evergreen is the theme song from the 1976 film A Star Is Born. (A Star is Born is the title of movies released in 1937, 1954, 1976, and 2018.) It was composed and performed by Barbra Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams. At the 49th Academy Awards (Oscars) the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Barbra Streisand became the only woman in history to win the Academy Awards for both Best Actress and Best Original Song. One of the truly great stars to end our month of stars.
Recording
Tonic Jukebox returns in February. The theme, unsurprisingly, will be 'love'.