Meaning

 

When I saw this I literally laughed out loud!

If you don't get it, then click HERE or HERE or both.

The Queen

Ladies and gentlemen, the Queen has left the building.

Sadly, Aretha Franklin (also known as The Queen of Soul) passed away yesterday at the age of 76.  The prolific singer, songwriter and actress was known for her unmistakable soulful sound.

But while her sound was unmistakable, apparently her image was not, at least to Fox News who posted a tribute graphic that included a photo of Patti LaBelle!

This sadly suggests at least someone at Fox News couldn't distinguish one African American diva from another.

Oh, but what fodder for Facebook!  Almost immediately memes starting showing up that frankly had me laughing out loud!

At least the laughter from these memes helped ease the pain of such a great loss to American music.  Aretha will be imitated but never duplicated.

R.I.P. our Queen.

Madness

I received a music CD as a gift. But trying to open the packaging raised several pertinent questions:

• Why are the CD cases hermetically sealed, as if the disc might get stale if exposed to air? I mean, seriously, it took me nearly 15 minutes to get the clingy plastic wrap off the darned CD box. Personally I wouldn't mind if my CD wasn't as moist or chewy.
• And why, after removing the plastic wrapper, is there yet another thicker, sticky seal on the case? I mean, I’ve gotten medicine bottles with childproof caps open in less time and with more ease!  I've gotten a date out of his clothes in less time... oh wait; nevermind. 
• Why should I need scissors, a steak knife, a box cutter, and the jaws of life to open a CD case??  Its ridiculous!

In discussing this dilemma with a cop/friend of mine it was suggested that its all to prevent theft.  

Imagine a shoplifter wanting to steal a CD in a store. The case won't fit in a pocket, and if it could it would likely be visible due to its sharp corners. Then you've got the RFID thing buried somewhere in the case, so you'd have to somehow avoid that scanner.  So the only way to steal the disc is to remove it from the case.  Hence the need for the jaws of life to liberate that CD, but who's going to be silly enough to try that in a store?

While I understand downloading music to one's phone is the latest trend, its not the best option in some situations.  If you want to listen to music while doing something active (loading the dishwasher, undecorating your Christmas tree, etc) you have to have your phone on your person with earbuds that can get caught on your hands/arms or other things. In that scenario its easier to put a CD on your CD player.

Weekend recap

We had a really fun weekend in Atlantic City!

It was windy on Fri so the ferry across the Delaware Bay to to Cape May was "interesting".  I didn't get sick but the ferry was rocking and rolling for sure.  Once in Cape May we drove the 40 minutes (plus/minus) to Atlantic City and checked into the historic Claridge hotel.  Then we walked over to the boardwalk where it was windy and quite cold - only in the 30s.  We had some boardwalk food, checked out a few cheesy stores, then headed back to the warmth of the hotel for a little rest.  Spouse & I had not been to Atlantic City before so it was new to us.  We were surprised at the vacant land so close to the boardwalk.  Apparently there had been hotels and casinos there when Atlantic City was the only place to gamble, but once neighboring states began to allow gambling Atlantic City had more hotels and casinos than it could support.  Some were torn down to save on tax revenue or because they were intended to be replaced with new buildings but never were.

A while later we had a snack in one of the hotel's restaurants, then headed to the Boardwall Hall for the show.  Here's Spouse & me waiting for the concert to begin.

Janet was amazing!!  Despite having a baby less than a year ago, she looked phenomenal.  I was thrilled that she sounded so good despite all the intricate choreography she's known for.  The performed all of her hits, but not the full songs.  Several of them were edited down and strung together in a medley.  

Janet singing Let's Wait Awhile

But it was a really great show and we had a great time there.

Afterward we had a snack at AC Snack Shack where we got delicious tacos and burritos.  Then we stopped at our rooms to drop off our coats before heading upstairs to the rooftop bar called Vue.  While it was too cold to stay outside and enjoy the city views, we had a great time inside.  Our friend  Mortimer is a bartender there so he made us some fabulous cocktails (Cosmos for me, of course), and there was a fantastic DJ who had us dancing on our bar stools.

Mortimer shaking my cosmo

Spouse, Steven & Thad

Me & Spouse

We left Vue about 1:45am and plopped into bed about 2am.  I fell asleep immediately, but was awakened at 7:45am when a client texted me.  Argh!!!  Although I didn't respond to the text, it unfortunately woke me enough that I couldn't get back to sleep, so after laying in bed awake for awhile I just got up and quietly looked at Facebook while Spouse slept.

Later we checked out of the Claridge, drove around Atlantic City a little, then headed back toward the ferry with a stop at Phoenix Diner for lunch.  The ferry back to DE was smooth as silk.  Once back home we relaxed on the sofa with the dogs and watched a movie.

It was a fun trip and a nice change of pace.

Miss Jackson if you're nasty

Today Spouse & I are going to Atlantic City with Steven & Thad to see Janet Jackson in concert tonight!  We're staying overnight so we can spend some time in Atlantic City too, since Spouse & I have never been there.

I have always enjoyed her music and videos, dating back to the release of her epic album "Control" in 1986.  I remember playing it over and over again at peak volume in the cassette player of my Honda Accord.  (Yes, I'm old.)  I knew all the words to the album's hits like "What Have You Done For Me Lately?", "Control", "Nasty", "When I Think Of You", "Pleasure Principle" and "Let's Wait Awhile".

Then came "Rhythm Nation 1814" in 1989 with its hits "Rhythm Nation", "Alright", "Escapade", "Come Back To Me", "Miss You Much", and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)".  Yes, I also attempted to learn some of the legendary choreography but let's just say that I can sing a LOT better than I can dance.

Since Janet hasn't released an album recently, I'm really hoping she'll do many (if not all) of her hit songs.  Regardless, I'm sure the 4 of us will have a great time!  Look for a full report on Mon.

Busy weekend

Wow, what a full weekend!

It actually started on Fri evening, as I left work early and met up with 2 friends to sing Christmas carols (in costume) at a charity event.  I love Christmas music so it was fun, and I saw lots of friends.

Rick, Magnolia Applebottom, and me in our caroling costumes

Then I met up with Spouse & Steven for a late dinner.

Sat I worked until 3:30, then ran home to change clothes and get Big Ella lined up for the Christmas parade.

While this parade is always popular, this was probably the best-attended I can imagine.  I've never seen so many people crowded into our fair little hamlet.  No doubt the moderately cool temperature and the absence of rain were contributing factors.  I saw lots of friends and even several clients as I inched down the main street.  After the parade, Spouse, Steven & I had a quick dinner and then I headed to perform in the holiday Legends Show as Elton John.  I got home about 11:45pm and after talking to Spouse, we decided to begin making some of the food that night for our party the following day, so we didn't get to bed until shortly after 1am.

Sun morning we met Steven for breakfast, picked up a cake, and then returned home to prepare for our annual Christmas tree trimming party.  Spouse picked the menu this year:

• Greek-style beef sliders with hummus and tzatziki
• Pork sliders with hot mango chutney
• Curried chicken salad sliders with cranberries, apple, and pecans
• Homemade potato salad
• Homemade bowtie pasta salad
• Peppermint bark dip with cookies
• Coconut layer cake

The holiday table, before the 2 salads were added

We made everything ourselves except the cake and it all turned out great.  We had 16 friends who joined us for food and hanging the ornaments on the tree.  Since it was only in the 40s out we were able to have a fire in the fireplace which, along with the Christmas music, added some nice ambience to the evening.  We had a great time and the tree looks gorgeous!

When the last guests left Spouse & I packed up the left-overs, emptied the trash and collapsed on the sofa with the dogs.  They did really well with the house full of people and activity!  Even Walter who usually teases people with his cuteness but doesn't let them touch him, allowed some people to pet him last evening... a Christmas miracle!  The boys were exhausted and both were asleep within minutes of settling in on our laps.  We watched the season finale of 'WestWorld' and went to bed.

Anniversary

Last night I attended the Blue Moon's 35th anniversary celebration.  In case you're new here, the Blue Moon is a restaurant, bar, and performance venue where I perform musical impersonations in the 'Legends' shows.

As a paid performer I was given several complimentary cocktail tickets which was a nice touch.  They also had delicious passed hors d'oeurves for a couple hours, then slices of the multi-tier anniversary cake.  

Entertainment was provided by a full band and the resident singing diva Pamala Stanley.  It was a very festive and quite fun time!

Pamala Stanley singing before the band

I saw and chatted with lots and lots of friends and people I know.

Rick & Lisa - I love these two!!

Rick, Lisa, and me

Me and Brian

Me and Nate

Priscilla

Last night my friend Joe P and I went to see our local regional theatre's production of "Priscilla: Queen of the Dessert".  What started as an indie film later became a Broadway musical, but we learned that last night was the 1st time "Priscilla" was put on by a regional theatre, so that was exciting.

Who doesn't love the story, the music, the snark, and the overriding theme that happiness comes from true self-acceptance?  Fortunately this production did not disappoint.  Two of the 3 leads (playing Mitzi and Felicia) were young, handsome, and extremely talented men who danced, sang, and spoke (with a believable Australian accent) their way into our hearts.  The actor playing Bernadette had far less singing and dancing, and had trouble maintaining any kind of consistent accent, but this did not damped our enjoyment at all.  The ensemble was energetic and competent and the sets were in keeping with the minimalism of the theatre's name: Clear Space.

We really enjoyed the performance and I was sorry Spouse and other friends didn't join us.

I took this photo of the cover of the program

Grease

Last night Joe P and I went to the theatre.  Community theatre, that is. We went to see one of my favorite musicals: Grease!

I remember seeing it at the movie theatre when Grease came out in 1978.  I loved all the songs and bought the movie soundtrack album.  Yes, that's right - a 33 1/3 RMP vinyl record album.  I still have it.

Joe P and I met for dinner first and then walked next door to the theatre which is located in what used to be the sanctuary of an old church.  Rather than a traditional flat stage, this venue has a wide 'ramp' which extends the performance space out into the room, giving it a 'theatre in the round' affect.

The singers/actors were fine.  No one really stood out as exceptional, but all were certainly on par with what one would expect from local community theatre.  I did find the choreography and blocking to be better than I expected.  Joe P and I both enjoy supporting the local arts scene.

But the real 'star' of the show is the music.  With favorites like "Summer Nights", "Beauty School Drop-out", "There Are Worse Things I Could Do", "Hopelessly Devoted", "Sandy", and "You're The One That I Want" its hard to NOT have a good time.

Name dropping

So what's with all the celebrity name dropping in pop songs these days?

In 2013 Vance Joy mentioned Michelle Pfeiffer in the song "Riptide", and then in 2014 Bruno Mars mentions Michelle Pfeiffer in his song "Uptown Funk".  Just recently Fall Out Boy came out with a song called "Uma Thurman".

Do the writers or singers think celebrity name dropping will make their songs more popular?  Or is it a way of paying tribute or honoring them?  I don't know, but I find it a little weird, and I'm not sure why.

What do you think?

Talent

Just about any pop singer (Katy Perry, Mariah Carey, Cher, etc) can make a great song in a studio full of sound engineers who can auto-tune and digitally correct their sound.  This is called technology.

But THIS, ladies and gentlemen, isn't technology.  Its called talent:

Technically correct LIVE singing filled with dynamics, emotion, control, and restraint.  These are attributes of talent that can't be duplicated with technology during a live performance.

Kudos to Lady Gaga for a beautiful tribute to these classic American songs, while simultaneously showing the world she's much more than just a pop singer.

Church

The 1st time I heard this song it was performed on "The Sing Off" as a judge's choice.  Its not as 'melodic' as lots of other songs in my opinion that have a 'catchy' hook or chorus, so it really didn't stick in my mind.

However, I recently saw the video for this song and I must say its message is powerful.

 
It reminds me of what has been going on in Russia.  The HBO documentary "Hunted: The War Against Gays in Russia" exposed the horrible way gays and lesbians are treated, both by private citizens and by the police and government. 

While the lyrics don't suggest the song is about a gay couple, the video is quite clear.

Watch the video and see if you're not moved.

Christmas music

I may be in the minority, but I actually like it when a radio station switches its programming to all Christmas music.  Some of them jump the gun and do this the week of Halloween, which I do not condone.  One holiday at a time, people.

One annoyance of the 'all Christmas all the time' thing is the redundancy.  It seems that the station selects 12 songs and simply repeats them 24 hours a day.  I have literally heard the exact same version of the same song 5 times in the same day.  Not only is that ridiculous, but I also find it completely unnecessary.  Why not play the same songs but performed by different artists?  There are literally hundreds of artists that have released Christmas albums/CDs!  Why not pick songs from each of them and give listeners some variety, rather than playing the same 12 songs over and over again?!?!

While we're talking Christmas songs, can I share with you 2 songs I absolutely abhor?  "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" and "You're a Mean One Mr Grinch".  I thoroughly detest both of those songs and will most certainly change the station when they come on.

My favorite 2 Christmas songs?  "Merry Christmas, Darling" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas".  The Carpenters versions, of course.

Lovely lyrics

Here's another installment of my blog feature Lovely lyrics.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

Stairway to the Stars
performed by Ella Fitzgerald

Let's build a stairway to the stars
And climb that stairway to the stars
With Love beside us
To fill the night with a song
We'll hear the sound of violins
Out yonder where the blue begins
The moon will guide us
As we go drifting along.

Can't we sail away on a lazy daisy petal
Over the rim of the hills?
Can't we sail away on a little dream
Settle high on the crest of a thrill?

Let's build a stairway to the stars
A lovely lovely stairway to the stars
It would be heaven
To climb to heaven with you

Let's build a stairway to the stars
And climb that stairway to the stars
Yes we're climbing
Climbing to that stairway to the stars
Stars, stars, stars
The sound of violins
Way out yonder where the blue begins
The moon will guide us
As we go drift drift drifting along

Can't we sail away on a lazy daisy petal
Over the rim of the hills?
Can't we sail away on a little dream
Settle high on the crest of a thrill?

Keep building the stairway to the stars
A lovely stairway to the stars
It would be heaven
Heaven to climb with you. 

 

 

GLBT love at the Grammys

I tend not to watch awards shows much anymore. 

I rarely see Broadway shows so I have no idea who/what the nominees are for the Tony awards. The Screen Actor's Guild, People's Choice, and Gold Globes awards often get boring with the rambling acceptance speeches.  Why do the winners feel the need to publicly thank dozens of people we don't know?  That's something they should do on their own time!

And then, of course, there is often the dreadful scripted dialog for the presenters to deliver, which most of the time includes insincere self-deprication and 'jokes' that fall flatter than a pancake.

So I really wasn't planning on watching the Grammy awards this year.  Spouse was flipping the channel and nothing interesting came on, so when he paused at the Grammy show we began to watch it.  It was actually much better than I remember from past years.

I was somewhat surprised but very happy to see a 3 distinct occasions where GLBT rights and love were shown or spoken of in a very favorable light.

I'll start with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.  They 1st got my attention a year ago with their debut song "Thrift Shop".  But last night they performed their 2nd hit song "Same Love" which ended with Queen Latifah marrying 33 couples (same-sex and opposite-sex), saying "by the power invested in my by the state of California, I now pronounce you a married couple!".

Many observers (including country singer Keith Urban) were brought to tears.  I've never seen anything quite like it! 

Next came a performance by Kacey Musgrove whose name I'd never heard of, but that's not surprising since I don't listen to country music.  Kacy performed her song "Follow Your Arrow" which contains the lyrics "Make lots of noise, kiss lots of boys, or kiss lots of girls if that's somethin' you're into.  If the straight and narrow is a little too straight..."

Its a catchy tune with a terrific message.  And how can you not love a woman who wears a Mexican Christmas tree skirt?

And finally in Paul Williams' acceptance speech for Daft Punk he said they wanted him to say that "As elegant and classy as the Grammy has ever been, is the moment when we saw those wonder marriages, and that "Same Love" is fantastic and the height of fairness and love, and the power of love for all people, at any time, in any combination." 

What made me stay up late on a school night until the Grammy awards was over?  I wanted to make sure I didn't miss any other support messages during the show.  And then as I climbed in bed it occured to me that I had just witnessed history:  the 1st time a marriage (or 33 marriages to be exact) were conducted during an awards show.  And some of those couples were gay and lesbian.

The times they are a-changin'.

Visit with Manny

I got a call from my cousin's ex-husband Manny, telling me he and his girlfriend were going to be in my area for the weekend, and wanting to know if Spouse & I would like to meet them for dinner on Sat.

My cousin and I were very close until our mid-20s.  That's when she fell in love with Manny, who was not a Jehovah's Witness like us, got pregnant, and was disfellowshipped/ex-communicated.  JWs in good standing are not permitted to associate with those who are disfellowshipped, even if they are family, so I had to shun my cousin.  Some time later my cousin was reinstated and I was happy to once again spend time with her and her new husband, Manny.  But just a few years later is when I decided to 'come out' and leave the JW religion, which resulted in my being disfellowshipped.  That pretty much ended my ability to associate with my cousin.

A couple of years ago my cousin and Manny split up, and I ran into him at a wedding.  He seemed genuinely happy to see me, and I was happy to see him as well.  I always thought of him as a very nice guy; gentle and very laid back.  Pretty much the opposite of my cousin.  We friended each other on facebook.

So it was a pleasant surprise to hear that he was going to be in town over the weekend, and I readily accepted the invitation to join him for dinner.  The conversation flowed easily for the 4 of us.  Since we'd only met his girlfriend once, we learned more about her.  She is a yoga instructor and has her own studio.  Manny is a mechanic who specializes in German cars like Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Porshe.  They are both in a band that plays local gigs in their area, and since Manny had seen my "Legends" postings on facebook, we talked a lot about music and performing.  We also discussed family, pets, travel, cars, and Spouse's work.

We had a really nice time and I was genuinely surprised to find that 3 hours had elapsed.  Spouse & I invited them to come back and stay with us anytime they wanted a get-away, and they said they would.

Lovely lyrics

Please enjoy another installment of Lovely lyrics!

What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
performed by The Real Group

What are you doing the rest of your life?
North and south and east and west of your life?
I have only one request of your life
That you spend it all with me.

All the seasons and the times of your days.
All the nickels and the dimes of your days.
Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days.
All begin and end with me.

I want to see your face, in every kind of light,
In fields of gold and forests of the night;
And when you stand before the candles on a cake
Oh let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make.

Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes
In the world of love you keep in your eyes,
I'll awaken what's asleep in your eyes,
It may take a kiss or two.

Through all of my life
Summer, winter, spring and fall of my life,
All I ever will recall of my life
Is all of my life with you.

Simple Dreams

I just finished reading Linda Ronstadt's book "Simple Dreams - a Musical Memoir".

I have always loved Linda Ronstadt's music so when Spouse heard an interview on NPR with Linda, he told me about it and I listened to a recording of the interview on NPR's website.  In the interview Linda mentioned her memoir, and I ordered it from Amazon that day.

I really, really enjoyed it!  Since it is a memoir, it is written in the 1st person (like my blog) which made me feel as though I were sitting in my living room with Linda, hearing about her childhood, her musical influences, the shifts in her music from folk to country to pop to standard to traditional Mexican songs. It was like having a conversation with an old friend, for indeed, I have been living to Linda Ronstadt's music for a very long time.

When I was 13 years old I saved my allowance to buy Linda Ronstadt's Greatest Hits album and played it over and over and over again until I knew every word to every song.  I even practiced singing the harmony lines in my favorite songs "You're No Good", "Heatwave", and "That'll Be The Day".  I used my parents' old Underwood typewriter to type a letter to Linda Ronstadt, letting her know that I knew all the words and harmonies to her songs, so if her back-up singers ever got sick, I could fill in for them.  Unfortunately my parents did not see the "charm" of this offer and did not let me mail the letter.

Its a great read and I'd recommend you download or order it today.

Lovely lyrics

Here's another installment of Lovely lyrics!

Misty

performed by Johnny Mathis

Look at me
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand
I get misty, just holding your hand

Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
That music I hear
I get misty the moment you're near

You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you notice how hoplessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you

On my own
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I'm too misty and too much in love
 
Look at me

Jimmy James

Last night Joe P & I went to see a very talented voice impressionist, Jimmy James, at the Blue Moon.

The only other time I saw Jimmy James was in 2001 or 2002 when he provided entertainment at a PFLAG benefit dinner.  I thought he was hilarious and very talented, so when I saw that he would be doing a show at the Blue Moon, I was excited to be there.

Jimmy started his career by being one of the most famous and believable Marilyn Monroe impersonators.  He was on nearly every daytime talk show on TV in the 80s.  Later he began expanding into voice impersonation and able to do a wide range of amazing voice impressions.  Close your eyes and you'll think you're listening to the actual celebrities themselves!  And I'm amazed at how quickly he switches from diva's voice to the next.  Check this out!

Jimmy told an interesting story about some of the voice work he's done in the past.  He received a request from a gym/fitness club that caters to women, wanting him to record disco versions of all of Cher's songs to be used in their cardio room.  They thought he sounded that much like Cher, and I can understand why.

Me & Jimmy James

If you get a chance, go see Jimmy James!!