Category: Music

Classical Crossover?

bocelli.jpgClick here for a brief NPR report on what is called in the intro a surprising increase in the sale of classical music. After hearing the report I realized that’s not what is really happening.

According to the story, downloaded music accounts for much of the increase. But what’s being downloaded? Complete Beethoven symphonies?

As explained in the report, Sting and Josh Groban are now categorized as “classical crossover artists”, and their sales are being counted along with traditional classical music. That’s silly. Another name associated with the bump up in sales is André Bocelli. His popularity is thanks to the same sort of fan that bought CDs by The Three Tenors. None of these entertainers will add to the base of traditional classical music aficianados.

Dame Petula Clark?

Petula Clark

The British government is trying out a new online form, where citizens can petition the Prime Minister. Pet fans have Irene Seaton to thank for initiating a petition to recommend granting Petula Clark the title of Damehood. Click here.

It’s bloody well about time! Only British citizens can vote, so there’s nothing for us US fans to do but watch and wait.

I’ve lost all respect for Tony Blair, who stupidly convinced himself that aligning with George Bush would somehow be a worthwhile venture. This is Tony’s chance to redeem himself, before leaving office!

More Henry Mancini Music

It’s generally believed that the Hitchcock movie North By Northwest with Cary Grant influenced the development of the James Bond movies. After the first Bond movie Dr. No proved to be such a hugely successful hit, in 1963 Cary Grant, almost 60, was featured in a less physical spy movie called Charade.

Henry Mancini wrote the Charade score and Andy Williams sang the theme song. Compare this to Matt Monro singing the theme to From Russia With Love, also from 1963.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/MAR07/Charade.mp3]

Nice, huh? Well, here’s a Russian duo performing a decidedly different version of “Charade” at a rowdy German club last year. That’s Zombie Girl playing bass.

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Peter Gunn Theme

Peter Gunn

There was an earlier statement of appreciation made for the theme to the old TV show Peter Gunn. It’s certainly a favorite of Bismo’s. Here’s the theme, recorded in 1958 and taken from boring, old vinyl LP. That’s Johnny Williams, as he was known then, on piano.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/MAR07/PeterGunn.mp3]

The Peter Gunn soundtrack is fun and evocative of its era. Well worth getting, and it’s available cheap on Amazon. Click here. Dig that crazy, mixed-up artwork! What are those red vein things supposed to be — bullet holes in a sport coat, or something?

More with Pet and Cousin Brucie on PBS

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Here’s another slice and splice with Petula Clark and legendary NY DJ Cousin Bruce Morrow from the PBS special My Music: The British Beat. I don’t actually agree with Pet’s comment that the Beatles were her big break in America. Her success was her own, of course, but if anybody deserves some credit for paving the way for Petula it was Julie Andrews, who had been in America for nearly ten years by that point. And before the Beatles the James Bond movies were hugely influential in opening up the U.S. to all things British.