Autumn in New York

For a long time, I only knew Harry Connick, Jr.'s version of "Autumn in New York," from the soundtrack to When Harry Met Sally (1989). It's jaunty, for lack of a better word -- the kind of song I play when I'm in a good mood, or when I want to be in a good mood. It might actually be the first NY song I ever loved, though I had absolutely zero dreams of living here, at the time. And every time I hear it, the playlist in my head segues directly into "I Could Write a Book."

Perhaps because I had been so very attached to that soundtrack (I wore it out on my mom's portable cassette player, and eventually on my very own Walkman), it took me a while to warm up to the next version I heard.



Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (1957)

It did, eventually, grow on me. If I'm in the mood for the more melancholy sound, though, I prefer Sarah Vaughan's version, from just a year earlier.



On the random, there's a bit of this version where the instrumentation reminds me of a James Bond theme.

So, it really is Autumn in New York. I've been here for just shy of a week, but am already feeling immersed. My things arrived from California the day after I landed, so there was a scramble to find movers and transfer it all to a storage unit, which was, of course, more expensive than I'd budgeted for. But it was doable, so now it's done. And with that, I have—after 9 months—really, really left the bay area! I've also received word that my New Orleans stuff is (finally) en route to Brooklyn. No clue, yet, what I'll do with it all in the long run. Depending on what apartment I eventually find, it may all end up in storage, or maybe just sold. Either way, it'll feel good to have it all in one place.

After a couple of days spent largely at U-Haul, I've now been able to start exploring and meeting/meeting up with people. I've mostly been in Prospect Heights—I'm crashing here, but it's also turned out that the people I've been meeting up with are in this area as well. Yesterday afternoon, I had brunch (lunch, really) with two ladies I hadn't seen since high school. We went to a Mexican restaurant called Taqueria des los Muertos (not the name I would have chosen). In the evening, I had dinner with a friend of a friend, who had been kind enough to invite me over. We talked until late, and I walked home, around the corner, in the rain. Today, I'll probably drop by and watch a movie with a former coworker from San Francisco, who has recently moved into an apartment right down the street from where I'm staying. It's strange, like acquaintances from far flung times and places have all converged in one place.

So, now I'll start figuring out my place here. I expect to be a bit of a nomad for a while, which I'm beginning to get anxious about. I do think it's all going to work out, but I'll feel better when I know how!

"NYC" and a little music trivia

I've never seen the stage production of Annie. I've also never watched the entire 1999 film, but will need to rectify that sometime. Audra McDonald (Grace) is a boss. Victor Garber (Spy Daddy Warbucks) is a boss. If they weren't awesome enough, there's also Alan Cumming (Rooster), Kristin Chenoweth (Lily), and Kathy Bates (Miss Hannigan)!

This number, NYC, isn't in the 1982 movie (which I watched A LOT as a little girl). Bonus points for the Andrea McArdle cameo.



True story: I thought McArdle was the original stage Annie, but looked it up to confirm. Turns out she wasn't—she replaced the original actress after a week of performances. The role was actually originated by a girl named Kristen Vigard. Funnily enough, I know that name, but only because my friend M. put a fantastic song by her on a mix.

Kristen Vigard - God Give Me Strength

I later heard a cover of the song by Audra McDonald -- Annie full circle! I like both versions, though I tend to prefer Vigard's: I find hers more powerful, though McDonald's is more beautiful.

Also true: I didn't know until tonight that "God Give Me Strength" was a Burt Bacharach tune (written with Elvis Costello for the film Grace of My Heart). It's not as obvious in the version I'm familiar with, but this earlier version (featured in the film, though not on the soundtrack) is totally Bacharachian. And here's Bacharach and Costello performing it on Letterman, for good measure. I'm not enough of an Elvis Costello fan to appreciate that version, but it's still clear that it's a gorgeous song.

"NO! SLEEP! TILL BROOKLYN!"

"No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by Beastie Boys (Licensed to Ill, 1986)

[Full disclosure: I intend to sleep before Brooklyn.]

"The streets are paved with diamonds and there's just so much to see..."

"New York City" by They Might Be Giants (Factory Showroom, 1996)

This was a new one to me -- thanks to A.S. for the recommendation. And I wonder, again, why I don't own more TMBG.

"Rhapsody in Blue"

I'm pretty sure I've read that Gershwin said this was about America, not just New York.



"Rhapsody in Blue" (1924)

But I feel like Gershwin is enough to make it a New York song. Also? 2 of my favorite minutes of music (ever) are in this song. You know the part I mean. It felt awfully fast leading up to it, so I was glad that he slowed down.

If I knew the tunes...

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" Elton John (Honky Tonk Château, 1972)

True story: I was introduced to this song in the form of this cover.

Mandy Moore (Coverage, 2003)

"Across 110th St."

Bobby Womack (Across 110th St. [Soundtrack], 1972)

I've never seen the movie, but the song is a classic. Someone recently suggested that I consider Harlem, which she says is gentrifying. I'll be sticking with Brooklyn (my job's over there anyway), but am curious whether she's right.

"The 59th St. Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)"

Simon and Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme (1966)

A little love for Queens, as well.

"Empire State of Mind (Part 2) Broken Down"

I had never heard this version until my brother played it for me, the night I got the job offer in Brooklyn. Out of the set, I'd say Alicia Keys' lyrics are the weakest, but the hook is still catchy, and I do love a slightly melancholy piano.



Alicia Keys, The Element of Freedom (2009)

For some reason, it reminds of of an old-fashioned TV show theme. I mean that in a good way.

"Empire State of Mind"

I mean...you knew what the follow-up would be, right? I tried to resist this song when it came out. I failed.



Jay-Z, ft. Alicia Keys The Blueprint 3 (2009)

New York state of mind

Billy Joel, live at the BBC, 1978. Fun fact: this song was released into the world just a few months before I was.

So, what are your favorite songs about New York? Not sure yet if I'll be flying or driving, but a playlist seems in order.

Here Comes the Rain Again

Working on a weather-inspired mix. Here's the first track that came to mind:



Any suggestions for good "rain" songs? Leave links to videos in the comments, if you can!

Rock of Ages: nothin' but a good time

Went to see Rock of Ages on Friday night. I really enjoyed it, but I should say, in the interest of full disclosure, that I had really low expectations. I hadn't actually planned on seeing it at all, but a friend suggested that it might be terrible in a really excellent way, so see it I did. If you're not the sort of person who thinks thatmovies can be terrible in an excellent way, you should probably skip this one. I can't say that it's actualy a "good" film -- it is (intentionally) over the top and (also intentionally, I think) contrived, and even the contrived plot is pretty weak. Somehow, this doesn't stop it from being highly entertaining. Perhaps it's because, as my friend M. recently reminded me (speaking of an opera we'd seen), the narrative structure is always weak for these sorts of things, because it's not really the point. 

So what, then, was the point of Rock of Ages? Well, it's a film based on a Jukebox Musical. My understanding of jukebox musicals is that they're a thinly veiled excuse to have a bunch of actors sing songs people already know and love. For Rock of Ages, those songs are 80s rock songs, with a heavy emphasis on anthems and power ballads. I vividly remember listening to a lot of this music, which is how I knew that some of the songs had not come out in 1987. The set list spans from 1980-1990 (further back and a year later for the staged version), and has spawned a truly epic playlist on my iPod:

[Song (Artist) - Album, Year]

Paradise City (Guns n Roses) - Appetite for Destruction, 1987

Sister Christian (Night Ranger) - Midnight Madness, 1982

Just Like Paradise (David Lee Roth) - Skyscraper, 1988

Nothin' But a Good Time (Poison) - Open Up and Say...Ahh!, 1988

Juke Box Hero (Foreigner) - 4, 1981

I Love Rock n Roll (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts) - I Love Rock n Roll, 1981

Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benetar) - Crimes of Passion, 1980

Waiting For a Girl Like You (Foreigner) - 4, 1981

More Than Words (Extreme) - Extreme II: Pornograffitti, 1990

Heaven (Warrant) - Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, 1989

wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi) - Slippery When Wet, 1986

I Want to Know What Love Is (Foreigner) - Agent Provocateur, 1984

I Wanna Rock (Twisted Sister) - Stay Hungry, 1984

Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard) - Hysteria, 1987

Harden My Heart (Quarterflash) - QuarterFlash, 1981

Shadows of the Night (Pat Benetar) - Get Nervous, 1982

Here I Go Again (Whitesnake) - Saints & Sinners, 1982

I Can't Fight This Feeling (REO Speedwagon) - Wheels Are Turning, 1984

Every Rose Has its Thorn (Poison) - Open Up and Say...Ahh!, 1988

Rock You Like  Hurricane (Scorpion) - Love at First Sting, 1984

We Built This City (Starship) - Knee Deep in the Hoopla, 1985

We're Not Gonna Take It (Twisted Sister) -  Stay Hungry, 1984

Don't Stop Believin' (Journey) - Escape, 1981

And there are a few songs that are in the stage version, but not in the film:

Too Much Time On My Hands (Styx) - Paradise Theater, 1981

To Be With You (Mr. Big) - Lean Into It, 1991

Cum on Feel the Noize (Slade) - Sladest, 1973

The Final Countdown (Europe) - The Final Countdown, 1986

High Enough (Damn Yankees) - Damn Yankees, 1990

I HAte Myself for Loving You (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts) - Up Your Alley, 1988

Oh Sherrie (Steve Perry) - Street Talk, 1984

The Search is Over (Survivor) - Vital Signs, 1984

Rock of Ages (the film) is successful, in that I really had to fight the urge to sing along. So, while there's really not much of a story to get caught up in (almost everything in the film is a foregone conclusion), there are plenty of catchy hooks, crescendos, and guitar solos to get carried away by, as long as you're willing to surrender to the ridiculousness of it all. 

The one thing that really threw me? Tom Cruise's strangely contortion of his pelvis and torso. There are moments where whatever is happening with Stacee Jaxx is the exact opposite of sexy, and intentionally so. But I'm pretty sure there were moments when he was supposed to be strutting with confidence, and maybe even sexiness, but he really just looked like something was wrong with his spine.

OK, so there were two things that threw me. One was Tom Cruise's....whatever was going on there. The other was Julianne Hough. Was she really the best singer they could find for that part? And, if she's famous as a dancer, why was she so unimpressive during her big "dance" scene? So confusing.

Aside of the weird posture, Tom Cruise was creepy and messed-up as Stacee Jaxx, which I think was acting. Julianne Hough did not particularly impress me. Malin Ackerman continues to have a good sense of humor (see: 27 Dresses), Kathrine Zeta Jones gets the job done as Tipper Gore the rock hating activist, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand are amusing as rock n roll lifers, and Paul Giamatti is a fantastically slimy manager. Diego Boneta was pretty good (singing) as rock-hopeful Drew. Also? He's way hotter in press appearances than he was in the movie.

Sorry...what was I talking about?

Kind of cute, I guess.

Overall, the whole thing was ridiculous, but highly enjoyable. Or, as Poison once said...

Chase the Thrill

Just listening to Nikka Costa's Pro*Whoa on her YouTube channel. I have decided that "Chase the Thrill" sounds like a James Bond title song, which has made me think that someone needs to start a campaign to have Nikka Costa do the song for Skyfall.*






*Or maybe whatever is next, because Skyfall sounds like a lame title to me. Just sayin'. 

Video round up

The dubious honor of Fug Madness "winner" went to Taylor Momsen. Here's the montage for this year's Fug Madness -- as always, a thing of beauty. Or fugly, as the case may be.




As I said on Facebook, old folks are killing this week. First Billy Crystal:

When Harry Met Sally 2 with Billy Crystal & Helen Mirren from Billy Crystal

Then, George Takei:




Finally, what I'm listening to this week: "Low Road" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. This is a video of them doing it live:

Music Monday: Adele's "Rolling in the Deep"

My friend M. sent me a link to the studio video of this a few weeks ago, but I was so buried under the end of the quarter that I'm just now getting around to checking it out. I do, as was predicted, like this a lot. Here's Miss Adele doing her thing acoustic:



No small thing to sound that good on a crappy little mic in the the open (windy) air. Work it out, Adele.

Lilith Fair

Went to Lilith Fair yesterday, thanks to K., who was sweet enough to treat me to lawn seats. It was so much fun! I love Sarah McLachlan, so know I'd enjoy her set. I was also excited to see who else was on the bill. I spent most of my time at the main stage, but did check out A Fine Frenzy's set on one of the side stages. I've actually just started listening to her (them?) recently. She was energetic, and I enjoyed most of what she did, which I presume was from her new album (except Almost Lover, which I know is on the older one that I've been listening to).

 Back at the main stage, Colbie Caillat, who I haven't been impressed with when I heard her on the radio, has a good voice (I'm still not terribly impressed with her songs, though). And then The Bangles performed, which was awesome. Even when they were a little off, they were still good. Miranda Lambert, who I have heard of but have not listened to, came next. She's got a good, really powerful voice, and I might check her stuff out, but I think it's a little too redneck-country for me. (And you know I like country sometimes.) And then Heart performed, and they were FANTASTIC. Ann Wilson is amazing. And then Sarah McLachlan closed out the night. She was great (though I noticed she avoided some of the high notes), and it was fun to see her again (I saw her once in concert and she was crazy good). I think Heart was really the highlight for me, though.

HEART!

Strange fruit and creepy conversations

Just done w/chapters 1-3 of American Gods. I had forgotten how creepy that book is.

SPOILER WARNING

At the top of the list of creepy things right now? Shadow's Bone Orchard dream, which is more disturbing to me than the nonchalant conversation he has with Laura, his recently-dead wife. The dream itself is not a happy one, and the sense of wrongness is compounded by what I'm pretty sure is a reference to Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit." (WARNING: the photograph of the lynching that inspired the poem that became the song is on the page linked.) Strange fruit is a hauntingly beautiful indictment of one of the ugliest pieces of US history. The last verse, in particular, in sticking with me as I read AG tonight: 

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck, 
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck, 
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop, 
Here is a strange and bitter crop.

While the context is different, it is relevant to what's happened (and what's to come) in several ways.

In other news, I'm making an American Gods playlist of the music in the book. My list so far:

• "Nottamun Town" by Fairport Convention
• "Masters of War" by Bob Dylan (Why? See here for details.)
• "Iko Iko" by The Dixie Cups
• "Walking After Midnight" by The Cowboy Junkies (Patsy Cline version in the book)
• "Who Loves the Sun" by The Velvet Underground
• "The Fool on the Hill" by The Beatles
• "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday
• "The Midnight Special" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

A fellow 1b1t-er has made an American Gods music spreadsheet (he's also got sheets for people and places).

RIP, Lena Horne

I haven't listened to a lot of Lena Horne's music. Mostly, I knew her version of Stormy Weather, which I looked up on YouTube a couple of years ago, hoping to find a video of her performing it. What I found was a clip of her performing it in the film "Stormy Weather," which I didn't even know existed. I also came across a couple of other songs that I really liked (gotta love the related videos section). Today seemed like a good day to post them.

Stormy Weather


You'd Better Love Me


Where Or When

10 song playlist

These are some songs I can't stop listening to this week. Most are not new, though a couple are new to me.

The Trapeze Swinger - Iron & Wine
Slow Life [with Victoria Legrand] - Grizzly Bear
This Tornado Loves You - Neko Case
10 Mile Stereo - Beach House
California On My Mind - Wild Light
Gobbledigook -  Sigur Rós
Howl - Florence and The Machine
Remember When (California) - Tim Myers ft. Schuyler Fisk
The Blower's Daughter - Damien Rice
I Need You Now - Lady Antebellum