Well, dear readers, I have what will hopefully be good news for you – it is December. And it is my fervent hope and prayer that December will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful. Can you believe that 2016 is almost over? During the month, we’ll take a look back at the year that was. In the meantime, to start off December with tutti-frutti good cheer and positivity, the new Kritzerland release is the world premiere soundtrack release to the campy and classic Fox film musical, The Gang’s All Here, directed by Busby Berkeley, starring Alice Faye and Carmen Miranda (and Muse Margaret’s daddy, Dave Willock even has a nice role), songs by Leo Robin and Harry Warren, and musical direction by Alfred Newman – not to mention one of the most important things – the King of Swing, Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. It’s complete, it’s got great bonus material and it’s jam-packed on one seventy-eight minute CD. Yes, this is the film with chorines holding giant bananas. The booklet is loaded with great color photos and you won’t want to miss out on this one. Here’s the cover.
Yesterday was a day that came and went and was okay. Nothing terrible happened and that’s always a big plus in my book (Chapter Three – A Day Where Nothing Horrible Happens is a Big Plus). I got eight hours of sleep, thanks to some Ny-Quil, but that stuff always takes a few hours to shake off in the morning. I did a little banking, then I was determined not to talk too much during the day and so I didn’t, and I think my voice is just as trashed as it was before I decided that. Hopefully it will be in better shape when I arise today. I did some work on the computer, answered e-mails, got the news that the Kritzerland computer, which has given Kritzerland about seven years of good service, was just about dead, so we found a relatively inexpensive one that I then found at Amazon for a hundred bucks less and no tax and free delivery, so that’s on its merry way and will be here on Monday. Then I went and had a cup of chicken soup and a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. After that, I picked up no packages and came home.
I did more work on the computer, and got everything ready for our new release announcement. The fence guy finished his job and it looks great. Then I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture entitled Manchester by the Sea, starring Casey Affleck and written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan. This thing has gotten universal praise from literally every critic, who have fallen all over themselves to tell us it’s the best film of the year. Admittedly, I haven’t seen all that much this year, but this would make no list of my best films of any year – I understand what it is but that doesn’t mean I think it’s any good. I appreciate what everyone is doing, but that doesn’t mean it resonated at all for me, and certainly not as it did for these critics. It’s a very dreary and depressing film that goes on for 137 minutes and then just fades out. I know people love Mr. Lonergan – my only experience was reading his play, This Is Our Youth, which I didn’t find all that. Anyway, not my cuppa, but it might be yours. The actors are all fine.
After that, I did my usual listening – Shostakovich who, for the most part, is just too bombastic for me – he just wears me out. I do like about four of his symphonies a whole lot – but not all. Then I decided to really listen carefully to all five symphonies of William Alwyn, a wonderful film and classical composer. I’d listened to all these two weeks ago when I began all this, but I like to hear a run of symphonies several times if I like them – just to understand the music and the form. I find his symphonies excellent. They’re not loaded with what I’d call memorable melodies, but I like his colors and lines very much, and he’s a wonderful orchestrator. And I do love mostly all his film music. And I just read about his wife, Doreen Carwithen, who was also a film and classical composer, so I found some of her music on You Tube and she, like her husband, was terrific. Thankfully, there are two CDs of her music out there and I’ll be getting them both.
Today, I’ll be up by ten, and I’ll do the usual stuff, eat, hopefully pick up some packages, and then we have our second Kritzerland rehearsal – today Bill Hayes joins us and he’s always such a treat to be around. Then I may go have a little dinner, too, if I’ve been good at lunch. In fact, I may just have a cup of chicken soup and that’s it, so I can eat something fun later.
Tomorrow we have a Kay Cole meeting about the packaging for her CD – I wrote my part of the liner notes last night, and now we just have to talk about the cover, basically. I came up with the title, which we all like. Saturday we have our stumble-through and then I’m sure some of us will dine, Sunday is sound check and show, Monday I recuperate and have other stuff to do, Tuesday is a rehearsal for the Richard Sherman event, Wednesday is sound check and the event, and Thursday I turn a brand new age.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do the usual stuff, eat something light, hopefully pick up packages, have a rehearsal, and then eat a proper meal. Today’s topic of discussion: What movies have you actually liked this year? I haven’t seen more than five, I think. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy and hopeful for a stress free and happy holiday and birthday month. And it is my fervent hope and prayer that December will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful.