Muhammad My Friend/Just Leave Everything To Me

I'm getting tired of all the emails*/texts*/phone calls* of people complaining about my not blogging regularly on Sundays as I used to do.

*I am not getting any emails texts or phone calls

So, to appease your hungry appetite for blog posts about songs stuck in my head on Sunday mornings, here are the last few songs.

The first one comes from my girlfriend, Tori Amos- and I think this song is a pure example of what the lady does so well.  It's called "Muhammad my Friend" and it's from Amos' ambitious 1996 album "Boys For Pele."

Don't try to understand too much if you're going to delve into Amos' lyrics, but this song sort of illustrates her idea that Christ could have been a woman.  It's a bold, daring statement, whether Amos takes it literally or not doesn't matter to me, perhaps it's just a feminist statement- whatever it is, I find it interesting and different and totally and utterly Tori Amos, always pushing barriers. 

Here's the song, even if the lyrics trouble you, I hope you'll listen to the feeling of the music, which is lovely and brilliant. 

Alrighty then, on to the next song, which also features a strong female.

(Side note, women are rad, you should get to know one if you have some free time)

This one comes from the beloved 1964 musical "Hello Dolly!"  If you've seen the show, you'll know that Dolly Levi is a sort of adored busy-body/wheeler-and-dealer kind of character.  The song stuck in my head features the very song that sets up her character, which is in the opening number of the show.  The song is called "Just Leave Everything To Me" and here's what it sounds like:

I hope you enjoyed these songs and this blog post, which I have to believe is literally the only blog post on the planet about Tori Amos and Dolly Levi.  Maybe not.  If you can find another post about both of these lovely ladies, I'll give you a dollar next time I see you.

HUGS. BRADY

Shangri-La

Heaven help me! 

Here's another song from this production of "Forever Plaid" that is stuck in my head.  I sort of have to eat, sleep and breathe these songs since some of these arrangements I'm learning to sing are the hardest I've ever done. 

Today's song is called "Shangri-La" which was first written in 1946 and made popular in the 50's by some of the groups I'm now mimicking in this production.

Here's an example of what the song sounds like:

Hope you're enjoying some of these posts.

Bye for now.

Crazy 'Bout Ya Baby/Undecided

Man, am I in trouble- I've gotten involved a local production of Forever Plaid and man, oh man, are these songs catchy.

Plan on the majority of the blog posts for the next two months dedicated to these songs, which have perpetually been stuck in my head since we started rehearsals two weeks ago. 

First from a few weeks ago is "Crazy Bout Ya Baby" which was first made popular by the Crew Cuts in 1954: 

Next, is a song I learned from the same production, is called "Undecided" and I'm gonna be lazy and copy what it says about the song on Wikipedia-

"Undecided" is a popular song written by Sid Robin and Charlie Shavers and published in 1938.

Recordings[edit]

The first recording was made by John Kirby and The Onyx Club Boys on October 28, 1938, and released by Decca Records as catalog number 2216,^[1] with the flip side "From A Flat to C".^[2]

It was also recorded by Chick Webb and his Orchestra with vocal by Ella Fitzgerald on February 17, 1939 and released by Decca Records as catalog number 2323, with the flip side "In the Groove at the Grove".^[2]

The biggest hit version was recorded by The Ames Brothers with Les Brown's orchestra on June 25, 1951 and released by Coral Records as catalog number 60566, with the flip side "Sentimental Journey".^[3] It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on September 28, 1951 and lasted 20 weeks on the chart, peaking at #6.^[4] A bebop treatment of the song was released in the same year by Gene Ammons.^[5]Billy May recorded the song as part of his 1955 album Arthur Murray Cha Cha Mambos.

In 1960 Harry James released a version on his album Harry James...Today. (MGM E-3848)

Al Hirt released a version on his 1961 album, The Greatest Horn in the World.^[6]

Raffi recorded his version on his album Adult Entertainment by playing country music.

Natalie Cole recorded the song for her 1993 album Take a Look.

Wow, that was easy to copy and paste.  Don't sue me, Wikipedia

Oh, and here's the song, the version I chose is from the era of Forever Plaid, 1950's.  

A Hug.

Brady

Try to Remember/Don't Lose My Number

I'm behind a bit- which I suppose is consistent to the blase approach I have lately to my blog.

Anyway, here was the SSIMH from Sunday October 29th- the fantastick (pun intended) "Try To Remember" from the 1960 musical "The Fantasticks"  This is one of those melodies that just sticks with you- very catchy but lovely the same:

Ok, the following Sunday, the 5th of November, I had this gem from Phil Collins in my head-  Like him or not, Collins is a songsmith in his own right.

Here's "Don't Lose My Number" from Collins' 1985 album "No Jacket Required"

*FUN FACT* my Aunt Shanna bought this album for me on cassette tape.  It was nice to be spoiled by a favorite Aunt at the age of 6.

I lubb Music and I lubb you. 

A Mighty Fortress is our God

this one busted its way into my head because I was asked to pick a hymn I love to sing in church.  I love this sing and it’s by Martin Luther, who is to be admired.

If you’re interested in Martin Luther’s life, here’s a killer documentary.  Watch!

I give you (blog reader) maybe a 6 or 6.5 out of ten.