Lincoln

Massillon, Ohio

Sorry for the lapse. More midcentury Christmas:

Louis Armstrong - Cool Yule

Rotosphere

Lexington, KY

A Rotosphere atop the Catalina Motel. Click the link to see more; my Flickr buddy Deb has catalogued and researched these extensively.

Louis Armstrong - When You Wish Upon a Star

Frank, Pt. 1

Frank Sinatra died ten years ago this month, as unimaginable as that seems. I remember when I heard the news. I was still living with my ex-fiance at the time, and he was big on tv news in the morning, so that day, May 14th, he'd wandered downstairs and flipped on The Today Show as usual. I came down to get a cup of coffee and saw him standing there in shock with his toothbrush in his hand. Then, when I saw tributes of flowers on the Walk of Fame on the screen and asked him who died, he could barely get it out. (Anth was from a large Italian family. I trust I don't have to explain his reaction.) I liked Frank Sinatra, and I kind of was beginning to think he'd live forever, so I was very sad.

In the intervening decade, I've gotten more and more familiar with his work; with every song and every movie of his that I've come to know, my respect, appreciation, and - I'll admit it - hero worship, have grown.

This Memorial Day weekend, my Saturday, Sunday and Monday posts will be in memory of Frank. Since I don't know anything about music, and can't write with any intelligence about his technique, his ability, etc., I'll keep these entries simple and just try to show why I love the guy.

In this post, I'll share a few of my favorite songs from one of his best albums (true, it's a large pool to pick from), 1957's Come Fly With Me, and a few other versions of the same songs.

Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me
I could absolutely use some exotic booze, as a matter of fact.

Michael Buble' - Come Fly With Me
I've mentioned before that I like the crispness & brightness of this one.

Frank Sinatra - I Love Paris
Crazy romantic and catchy. Listen to it twice and you'll sing it all day long. Interestingly, it's only 1:51 long; its only potential flaw is that about the time it really gets going, it's over.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Love Paris
I can't wait to hear the reactions to this one. It's indescribable. He um, really throws himself into this. There's this spoken word bit toward the end that's totally what we'd call insensitive today, and totally hilarious. I laugh every time he says "I saw Mau Mau kissing Santa Claus."

Frank Sinatra - Autumn in New York
His version is so rich vocally that even if you only focus on his phrasing and enunciation, you can still be swept away.

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - Autumn in New York
I do love this one, and I admit that part of it is the distinct sound, in the first verse, of a Zippo clicking open. If that's not what it is, don't tell me. There is something very intimate and quiet about their version, and that sound really lends something to that. It's as if they're staying up late together, singing and lighting each other cigarettes.

Harry Connick, Jr. - Autumn in New York
As much as I love Harry and that voice of his, I have to say that if I were following those two acts above, I believe I'd make mine an instrumental too.

A Big Bucket of KFC

West Jefferson, Ohio

New theme! Songs about food. I think I must have started collecting songs about food without even realizing it, because I have a lot.

Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven - Struttin' With Some Barbecue

(You've no idea how irritated I am that I don't actually have a song with "chicken" in the title.)

Away Down South in Dixie

Dixie Drive-In Restaurant
London, Ohio

(It's south of Columbus. And it is quite a drive from where I live.)

Thanks for letting me know of its existence, Miss Vannah!

Louis Armstrong - When It's Sleepy Time Down South

Autumn In Ohio

Scioto River bank
Columbus, Ohio

Say goodbye to autumn; it snowed for at least an hour last night. It only gets worse from here.

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - Autumn In New York

Music - Louis Armstrong, When The Saints Go Marching In

Look, I love plasticky, shiny pop music a whole lot more than the next person, but it's like with sugary desserts. Hot fudge sundaes and caramel apple pie are heaven but once in while, for nutrition's sake, you need some steak and potatoes.

Today is a steak and potato post. I had a craving.

Louis Armstrong. I'm really not sure where to start, ( here, I guess) other than saying that you should get to know him. You will like him.

This song is primarily associated with both New Orleans & Louis, it's a classic, it swings like hell. Take it. You'll be glad you did, you know you will.

Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In