haines his way

04/13/2002:
"WELCOME TO BENIHANA"

Well, dear readers, can you believe it's the weekend already? I believe some dear readers began the weekend yesterday, as we had an astonishingly low number of posts, after the giddy high numbers of the prior two days. We must maintain our giddy high numbers because then we will be the most popular site on all the internet and we will have parties and eat cheese slices and ham chunks and perhaps even shrimp bits on toast, and we will dance the Hora and the Monkey and we will wear gay party hats and strew confetti about as if it were spaghetti. I love strewn spaghetti confetti, don't you? It is simply too too. Even if you don't necessarily want to respond to the day's topic of discussion, you can still post about anything your heart desires.
Last night I went with my friends the Geissmans, and we ended up dining at a restaurant in Encino called Benihana. Benihana has been around for quite some time, and it used to be quite a novelty to go there, which I did with some regularity in the early seventies. I was expensive then, it is expensive now, and the food is just as ordinary. But one doesn't go there for the food, really, one goes for the show. For each and every table in the restaurant comes with its own chef, who cooks your very own food right on your table. That does mean that if there are only two or three or four in your party that you end up sitting with people you don't know. There were five of us and we still had two people we didn't know at our table. We still didn't know these two young girls by the time the meal was over, because they never once acknowledged our presence. In fact, one of them talked the entire time, from the moment they sat down to the end of the meal over an hour later. She never shut up, blab blab blab (balb balb balb, spelled backwards), all the livelong night. The first problem with Benihana is that there is always a half-hour wait or longer. Last night we waited forty-five minutes. The waiting is a Benihana "thing". I only endured it because I was with a group of people - otherwise, I never wait in restaurants. If there's longer than a ten-minute wait, I leave. That is my "thing".
In any case, our chef was lively and did many amusing tricks with our food. The food, as I remembered correctly, was bland and fairly tasteless. When I got home I ate a package of M&M caramels (a new flavor to me, quite nice) and that at least gave my taste buds a little nudge. I then strew some confetti as if it were spaghetti, and I did the Ann-Margret dance to Got A Lot of Livin' To Do in my cut-off jeans.
I then watched a DVD of a highly regarded film from last year. Before I tell you about it, why don't we all strew a little confetti like spaghetti and click on that Unseemly Button below?
The film I watched last night is entitled Ghost World. I hadn't read much about it, other than several critics' headlines of "One of the best of the year" "Astonishing" - plus I'd seen some posts about it on the internet, which also raved about the uniqueness of it and how it was a very good adaptation of a comic book. Well, I don't know what I was expecting really, but it wasn't what I got. First of all, when I see a title like "Ghost World" and I hear "adapted from a comic book" I somehow think "superhero" or "superpowers" or something in that realm. Looking at the cover art, I thought, well maybe the two girls go around battling ghosts or something. Of course, the film is a teen angst film and has nothing to do with anything that I thought it would. It's quirky and sometimes fitfully amusing and I liked all the actors. But at close to two hours it is too long by twenty minutes. At the beginning it was sort of reminding me of The World of Henry Orient, and when I saw that movie poster on Thora Birch's wall, I knew that film was probably somewhat of an inspiration. Anyway, it's a perfectly okay film - but when I read those kinds of kudos I just sit and scratch my head and think, "Did I just see the same film they did"? The DVD looks and sounds swell.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Tonight I am going to a benefit at my alma mater, Hamilton High School. It's being put together by some terrific people, so I know it will be fun. Scott Bakula (whose child or children attend the school) is producing, I think, along with Paul Kreppel (who is in our Tourette's benefit). Lots of interesting people taking part and I will have a full report for you on the 'morrow.
It's annoying when a film score (or theater score) that you really like doesn't make it to an album. These days it doesn't happen as much, as mostly everything gets recorded, both film and theater. But that wasn't the case in days of old. Anyway, I'd always regretted that there'd been no soundtrack release of Henry Mancini's wonderful score to Silver Streak, that fun Hitchcock-pastiche with Gene Wilder. It was one of those scores that just sticks with you and which you can even hum years later. Well, thanks to Intrada Records it's finally out on CD and it's a total delight. Mr. Mancini has never really had any of his classic soundtracks (Breakfast at Tiffany's, Charade, Hatari, etc.) out - those albums were all "pop" rerecordings for the most part and not the actual dramatic scores to the films. A pity, but who could argue when his albums sold millions of copies? The actual scores to those films are really wonderful, and maybe someday some adventurous soul will get into the vaults and release them for the first time. Of all his later scores, Silver Streak is my favorite. It's filled with his wonderful sense of melody and the main title (with its train-like rhythmic structure) is one of his best.
Well, we all know what today is, don't we? Today is our Unseemly Trivia Contest. We had no winner last week, so let's do something about that, shall we? Not that I'm going to make the question any easier - that simply wouldn't be cricket. The truth is out there, just like in The X Files. You must use your noggins. And you must send in a guess, even if it's a funny one or just taking a stab in the dark. You might just end up the Highest Winner and then you will get a sparkling prize. So, here's today's trivia question:
In the Tony Award-winning musical Nine, there were many wildly talented ladies in the Broadway company. But only one of them had a charted rock-and-roll single. She recorded it with a friend of hers under the names Lyme and Cybelle, and it reached #65. By the time of Nine, this performer was not only not called Cybelle, but she'd even change her real name. Name the performer as she was credited in Nine. Extra points to those who can name her partner, Lyme (he went on to have a successful rock career of his own). Extra extra points for those who can come up with her real name. Remember, you must e-mail me your answers (just use the Ask BK link) and not post them to the site. You have until Monday evening at midnight. Good luck to one and all and also all and one.
Well, it is time for me to get cracking, but what shall I crack? My toes? My neck? My knuckles? My back? My front? I love to crack, dear readers, it's so relaxing. In any case, I must get in my handy-dandy automobile and go do the things I do. Today's topic of discussion: What are your favorite classic pop albums? I'll start: Randy Newman's Sail Away, The Beatles' The White Album, Rupert Holmes' Widescreen, Carly Simon's Torch, Carol King's Tapestry, Elton John's Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road, Burt Bacharach's Reach Out (Yes, Virginia, it was a pop album), Haper's Bizarre (one of my favorite albums of all-time), Rickie Lee Jones' Pop Pop, any of Dionne Warwick's early albums, but especially the one with "Here I Am" on it (maybe it was called Here I Am, now that I think of it), and many many others. But for now, it's your turn.

Replies: 23 Unseemly Comments

Without giving anything away, may I respectfully correct our esteemed leader: it's actually Lyme & Cybelle.
Posted by JMK @ 04/13/2002 10:23 AM PST

Interesting topic. I may have to use the "Way Back Machine" (as Mr. Peabody used to say to Sherman) to remember some of these.
In no order at all:
-"Patchwork" by Bobbie Gentry (definitely NOT a country album)
-"I Couldn't Live Without Your Love" by Petula Clark (the album practically got me through junior high)
-"Holiday" by America
-"Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart
-"Rubber Soul" by The Beatles (with "Sgt. Pepper" a close second)
-"JT" by James Taylor
There were some Blood, Sweat and Tears, some Lovin' Spoonful and some Turtles in there too. Maybe the Greatest Hits of... each off them.
Posted by Kerry @ 04/13/2002 11:30 AM PST

Yes, "Silver Streak" is a most-welcome addition to a virtual plethora of soundtrack additions to the ever-expanding catalog of legitimate recordings the major labels would never have considered releasing.
Even better news for me, though, is that Intrada has the rights to release the complete OST to "Two For the Road" -- my personal favorite Mancini score! I believe Doug Fake will move the heavens and the earth to make it happen, too.
Classic rock:
Carly Simon's "No Secrets"
Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon"
Elton John's "Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road"
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band (title and group are one and the same)
The Beatles' "Dr. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
Carole King's "Tapestry"
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Deja Vu"
Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" (you define classic rock your way and I'll define classic rock my way)
The Who - "Tommy"
Emerson, Lake and Palmer -- "Brain Salad Surgery"
...and there are so many more...
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/13/2002 11:42 AM PST

Oh, yeah...and there was "Sweet Baby James"!!!
And Janet Joplin (Oh! Lord! Won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz!)
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/13/2002 11:44 AM PST

I will also mention the following
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Tommy
and
ELO's Eldorado
At one time I like Chicago (the rock group not the musical) Live at Carnegie Hall
Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon is great to watch The Wizard of Oz by.
Posted by Michale Shayne @ 04/13/2002 11:53 AM PST

Hi all, we've had several partially correct trivia question guesses, but I guess I haven't been clear enough in what we're really looking for. What we're really looking for is the name of the performer in the musical Nine. Remember, Cybelle changed her name in the seventies, and it is that name she used when she appeared on B'way in Nine. The extra points were/are for her REAL name (which was obviously NOT Cybelle).
Posted by bk @ 04/13/2002 12:20 PM PST

Okay, I've reworded the question within the notes and now I think it's perfectly clear, so if you're still confused just scroll back up and read the reworded question and all will be clear. You didn't really think it'd be THAT simple, did you?
Posted by bk @ 04/13/2002 12:25 PM PST

My world at last!
Simon & Garfunkel "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
Buddy Holly & The Crickets "The Chirping Crickets"
Blood Sweat & Tears "Blood Sweat & Tears"
Don McLean "American Pie"
Paul Simon "Hearts And Bones"
Marty Robbins "Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs"
Neil Diamond "Moods"
Dusty Springfield "Dusty In Memphis"
Eagles "Hotel California"
McCartney & Wings "Band On The Run'
I would never wait for a Restaurant table. I am doing them the favour by choosing their establishment and THEY are serving ME. I am paying for SERVICE and food. (Maybe that's why I would always book in advance). The dining experience should be enjoyable from the time of your arrival. "Here's to the ladies who lunch". I guess many people go out to be seen at the fashionable places. I would be going to eat!
What a strange world!
Should I have added "Breakfast In America" to my list of pop albums?
Posted by Tom Guest @ 04/13/2002 03:19 PM PST

My Lord, how could I have not listed Bridge Over Troubled Water??? Surely one of the finest albums ever recorded in any genre.
Posted by bk @ 04/13/2002 03:23 PM PST

Well, I have very little experience with pop albums, although I'll be checking out a few of the ones listed here.
These are the few pop albums that I do know & enjoy:
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Tapestry
No Need to Argue by the Cranberries
;)
Posted by Lolita @ 04/13/2002 04:37 PM PST

Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates
Richie Havens - Mixed Bag
The Carpenters - Singles 1969-1973
Marc Cohn - Marc Cohn
Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends
Peter Garbriel - So
Frank Sinatra - The Reprise Collection
Stevie Wonder - Innervisions
The Beatles - Abbey Road
The Beatles - White Album
Carole King - Tapestry
Bob Dylan - Blood On The Tracks
Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks
Joe Jackson - Night And Day
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Joni Mitchell - Ladies Of The Canyon
Joni Mitchell - Blue
Joni Mitchell - Court And Spark
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Bob Marley - Songs Of Freedom
James Taylor - Greatest Hits
Blondie - Eat To The Beat
U2 - The Joshua Tree
Frank Zappa - You Are What You Is
R.E.M. - Automatic For The People
Posted by Roy @ 04/13/2002 05:14 PM PST

People are still confused so let me spell it out, hopefully even clearer: We are looking for the name of the lady in Nine who formerly was called Cybelle and her real name. This lady CHANGED her name when she went to NY to do theater - therefore her name when she did Nine was NOT the same as Cybelle OR her real name. Many of you have gotten the easy part of the question, but no one has yet guessed what her name was in the cast of Nine. Whew!
Posted by bk @ 04/13/2002 05:30 PM PST

Dear Bruce,
Another wonderful (in my opinion) "train" film score is Richard Rodney Bennett's "Murder on the Orient Express" (the 1974 film not the TV version). As far as I know, the complete score is not available on CD, but there is a "waltz" on the album, "Themes From Hollywood's Historic Classics" and a "suite" version on the album, "Bennett: Film Music."
By the by...check the Cabaret West website (www.cabaretwest.org) for a mention of your Julius Wechter Tribute (scroll down to "Special Programs").
Posted by Donna Abraham (Cabaret West Calendar Editor) @ 04/13/2002 06:07 PM PST

Dear Donna: The score for "Murder on the Orient Express" has indeed been released on cd, paired with the score for "Death on the Nile." Unfortunately, I can't find the disc in my collection, as my ever-lovin' der Brucer has been reorganizing our cd collection and I can't find anything in the cd collection. *sigh*
Posted by S. Woody White @ 04/13/2002 09:22 PM PST

Jeez, I completely forgot "Days of Future Passed" by the Moody Blues!
Posted by Kerry @ 04/13/2002 09:44 PM PST

Also REALLY glad to hear about "Two for the Road." Great score!
Posted by Kerry @ 04/13/2002 09:46 PM PST

Frank Zappa - Joes Garage
David Bowie - Scary Monsters
Jimi Hendrix - Axis Bold as Love
Fear - The Record
Tom Jones - Green Green Grass of Home
Black Sabbath - Paraniod
Kiss - Destroyer
Tom Jones seems to stand out in that crowd, but what crowd wouldn't he stand out in?
Posted by Mattso @ 04/13/2002 10:19 PM PST

The CD with both "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Death on the Nile" fell under the CD title of "Poirot at the Movies." It was released on CD by Cloud Nine Records in 1993. Both scores were digitally mastered.
The catalog number was CNS 5007. CNR also gave us that great twofer of "Kings Go Forth" and "Some Came Running" (CNS 5004) and several other wonderful scores. Cloud Nine no longer releases scores, although the possibility of another is not 100% out of the question.
All the Cloud Nine recordings are out of print, but they pop up on eBay from time to time.
Just for clarity, there was a Japanese CD of "Death on the Nile" (brilliant Nino Rota score). If the auction omits "Murder on the Orient Express," it's not the Cloud Nine recording.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/13/2002 10:27 PM PST

Which Ha(r)per's Bizarre CD??
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 04/13/2002 11:13 PM PST

The first Harper's Bizarre album, entitled Harper's Bizarre. At least that's how I have it on CD (Japanese import).
Posted by bk @ 04/14/2002 12:10 AM PST

I have little to add to the pop-rock album lists, as most of my favorites have already been mentioned. But there is one--with a tenuous musical theatre connection.
When I first heard Paul Simon's "Graceland" album, I was blown away--but I'll avoid any obvious jokes on the metaphor.
You see, in my undergraduate days a student from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) had introduced me to the music of the estimable--and inestimable--Miriam Makeba, and to the South African musical King Kong, which he had seen her in in his homeland.
The incredible harmonies of that show suddenly reappeared in my life in "Graceland" in an beautiful marriage to Simon's typically evocative and opaque lyrics. And now we have "The Lion King" too, so I guess that music has finally become firmly intrenched in the American global culture.
But back then, it was only us special few who were aware of it. Since I have obtained the CD of King Kong in recent years, I would swear there are missing cuts that I heard on my friend's original South African vinyl pressing.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/14/2002 04:03 AM PST

About Harper's Bizarre...Amazon has many CD's by them.Could you let us know the first and last track on your CD?
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 04/14/2002 06:19 AM PST

Also:
Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run
Paul McCartney - Band On The Run
Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow
The Who - Who's Next
Posted by Roy @ 04/05/2003 05:04 PM PST

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