haines his way

10/29/2002:
"GETTING MY BEARINGS"

Well, dear readers, you won’t believe what happened yesterday – I could barely believe it myself. We have all been working like crazy on this television program – many pieces have gone to the hosts of the show who have a lot of input into the way things will be presented. All of them have come back with many notes, many changes and many voice-over changes as well. The first piece that I basically have nurtured from the beginning (actually someone else had done a pass, but it was totally unusable and I started it from scratch) got sent to our hosts on Friday. The producer of the show bought everyone lunch today and read us the note from our hosts – they thought the cut was a “masterpiece” and for the first time they requested not a single change. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too? They said they loved every minute of it, and I must say it felt very good indeed to hear. Of course, while I would love to take all the credit, I had excellent notes from our producer, and excellent notes from my pal David, and the piece, which was good to start with, just got better and better (there were two sets of notes – not that difficult to address). It’s little things like that that make these eleven hour days a bit more bearable. Now the trick is to make it happen a second time. I must admit, however, that I had pretty good footage to work with, and that always makes things easier. Anyway, I just thought I’d share that with you.
Do you want to hear something funny? Okay, then, I will tell you something funny – well, it’s not exactly funny, in fact, it’s quite pathetic really. My friend Joan Ryan sent a mass e-mail to her friends saying she’d moved and giving her new address. Now, Joan Ryan moves a lot, this is what she does. So, I clicked on “Reply All” and wrote the following one-liner: Is there anyone who moves as much as Joan Ryan? That is all. I quickly got a response from Lisa Richard and my pal Doug Haverty, both of whom took the comment in the tongue-in-cheek fashion it was meant. Then I began to get other e-mails from people on her list, and these e-mails were so offensively vitriolic, as if I’d called Joan a Nazi or something – I mean, you’d think I was a serial killer. Perhaps you think I’m exaggerating, but I am not. They were vicious. I can’t believe there are that many friends of Joan Ryan who are so without a sense of humor that they would react like utter cretins. I spoke to Joan this evening and told her all about the responses and even she couldn’t believe it. I’ve forwarded each and every one of them to her, and since ninety-percent of them are “in the business” I told her to tell them they’d never be working with me. I mean, honestly, what kind of world are we living in when people react this way to a silly one-liner which was obviously meant with humor? It’s nauseating, frankly.

Well, that’s enough ranting – why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below so I can get on with these here notes in high style – for example, calypso pants and sandles.

I don’t know why, but this morning I am finding it difficult to get my bearings. In fact, I can’t even find my fershluganah bearings. In fact, I don’t even know what the hell my bearings are. What are bearings? First of all, do bears really wear rings? We don’t allow groaning here at haineshisway.com. In any case, I’m finding it difficult to get my bearings. I still haven’t even fully opened both eyes yet. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I am typing these notes with one eye closed on account of not having gotten or found my bearings, whatever the hell they are. What the hell am I talking about?
Well, we didn’t have many guesses to our handy-dandy Unseemly Trivia Contest question, but the three we had were all correct. Here was the question:
A classic play by a great playwright, it was directed by an Academy Award-winning director. In addition to its three over-the-title stars, the cast featured four other very interesting people who would go on to have very interesting careers. One of them would go on to become a major motion picture star. One of them would go on to become the star of a beloved seventies television series. One of them would go on to become a very well-known character actor in both film and television (this person also starred in a well-thought-of sixties television series). And one of them would go on to direct a classic musical and a classic play.
Name the classic play by the great playwright.
Name the Academy Award-winning director.
Name the four cast members.
And the answers are:
The classic play and great playwright: The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder.
The Academy Award-winning director: Elia Kazan
The four cast members: Montgomery Clift, Dick van Patten (Eight is Enough), E.G. Marshall (The Defenders) and Morton da Costa (The Music Man and Auntie Mame)
Congratulations to our High Winners, Mr. Michael Shayne, Mr. Steve Gurey and Mr. Mark Rothman. And our handy-dandy Electronic Hat has randomly chosen Mr. Mark Rothman as our high winner.
Has anyone noticed that my bearings are not anywhere to be found? Damn them, damn them all to hell.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must find my bearings, for example, for without one’s bearings where is one? In fact, without one’s bearings where is two, or even three? Don’t forget, tomorrow is Ask BK Day, so let’s get your excellent questions ready. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite songs by two wonderful songwriters – first, Rupert Holmes, then Craig Carnelia. I’ll join in the merriment later when my other eye opens. Now, here’s the deal – it is October 29 – we need a big (and I mean big) Hainsies/Kimlets push to the end of the month. We need lots and lots of posts and lots and lots of traffic at this here site, so that our monthly statistics rise accordingly. We must have statistics that rise accordingly – the traffic has been very good this month, I am not complaining, but do let’s give it the old college try, let’s do one for the gipper, so if you don’t want to or can’t participate in today’s topic of discussion, then talk about whatever you like. I shall be back in a bit to check on things. If checks aren’t acceptable, I’ll be back to money order on things.

Replies: 44 Unseemly Comments

What???? It's almost noon here on the east coast, and I'm the first poster of the day???? Where is everybody? Hellloooooo?
Posted by Susan Gordon @ 10/29/2002 08:40 AM PST

Good morning - almost afternoon - from another "Eastie". I've been listening to the rhythm of the falling rain - which is falling on my window A/C unit. Sometimes it's a nice murmur, othertimes it's like a drum corps line. Today, they're taking turns.
Rupert Holmes' songs I'll have to think about...
Craig Carnelia: "The Mason" was one of the first songs I ever used for an audition - back when I used to sing. I remember checking the OCR of Working out from the Arlington County Public Library, and I was hooked. And I think it was that Billy Joel-type piano lick right before the final phrase that intrigued me about this song. OH, and we used to do a small parody of the song in a way: right after the first verse, we would add a lyric... "....the mason sleeps real good... Ryan Homes". It got a good laugh at the time since that company was building all over the place and had lots of TV commercials running.
"You Can Have the TV" and "Picture in the Hall" are also favorites of mine.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/29/2002 08:52 AM PST

Favorite Rupert Holmes:
# 1: "Terminal"
and then the others (in no order)
"Hi, Honey I'm Home!"
"The People That You Never Get to Love"
"Second Saxophone"
Craig Carnelia I'll have to think about
Posted by Kerry @ 10/29/2002 09:19 AM PST

This is the big push? This isn't even a little shove. That said, here is some good news: Even though yesterday was fairly light post-wise, it was our busiest day EVER traffic-wise. We have set a NEW record and we must eat some cheese slices and ham chunks (both allowed on the Eileen and Chet Atkins diet) and dance the Hora and the Hula. Now let's get some posts going - we can't let other boards and groups get the jump on us because that is unseemly in the extreme. Go to it, you good people.
Posted by bk @ 10/29/2002 09:27 AM PST

What? RAIN? What's that?????
We haven't seen rain since April!
"Pit-pit-pat little April Showers...."
Did any Disney cartoon have a more magnificent score than "Bambi"?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/29/2002 09:29 AM PST

Favorite Rupert Holmes: either "Moonfall" (which is luscious) or "Wages of Sin" (which makes me smile).
Favorite Craig Carnelia: Sad to say I don't know much of his work outside of that he did some songs from "Working."
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 10/29/2002 09:38 AM PST

For Holmes it's easy: the beautiful title song from "Remember WENN" (even if the lady who sang it now records for the enemy).
I am most familiar with Carnella's lyrics for THE SOUR STENCH OF FAILURE and they were the weakest part of a not very good show. His is a name I see a lot although I know very little of what he has actually done.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/29/2002 09:52 AM PST

I just found our AMOUR is closing this Sunday. What a shame. Although not without flaws, it was an interesting show if for no other reason Michelle Legrande's score. I suppose it will not be recorded. I have been unable to find the French album (even Footlights doesn't carry it) and actually I would have preferred it in French anyway. I think if the show had been done in one of the larger off-Broadway theatres it might have had a longer run. It's not what the tourists want to see these days.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/29/2002 10:00 AM PST

Carnelia:
"Picture in the Hall" is one of my favorite songs.
"I'm Not Complaining" is so real it's painful.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/29/2002 10:03 AM PST

Rupert Holmes - well, I've got to go for 'An English Music Hall' replaced in Drood. I just love the Jonathan Freeman interpretation!
Craig Carnelia - my heart completely goes to 'The Kid Inside'. From the first time I saw 'Is there life after High School?' I fell for this song, plus most of the rest of the score.
Posted by London Stephen @ 10/29/2002 10:19 AM PST

Replying from work without the benefit of my CD collection (so I may well post again later with a change of mind) but:
Craig Carnelia - I love the whole of 'Is There Life After High School' but particularly 'Fran and Janie' - there's a bit where their voices both break into vibrato at exactly the same point on the line 'my girlfriend and I' which gives me goosebumps. 'Just a Housewife' as mentioned by others is also good.
Rupert Holmes - 'Perfect Strangers' from 'Drood' is great, as is 'Moonfall'. I loved this score and was so disappointed when I saw the show in New York - a case of CD better than show. I also (again in common with others) love 'Second Saxophone' and 'Terminal'
More later maybe ....
Posted by Allan @ 10/29/2002 10:34 AM PST

"The Things I Learned in High School" is one of my very favorite songs (especially as sung by Harry Groener). I'd have to think about Rupert Holmes for a while -- I like his writing but haven't developed a particular favorite. Remember WENN was a terrific series, though.
BK -- I'm with you on the lack of humor in this business. The problem is -- if people don't "get" the joke, they assume you're being sarcastic and smug instead of witty and erudite.
Posted by Robert Armin @ 10/29/2002 11:01 AM PST

Well, well, well, guess who JUST paid us a handy-dandy visit? The merry searchers, that's who. Isn't that exciting? Isn't that just too too? They NEVER stop, these merry searchers, they just search and search and always for the same things it seems. I do hope they are finding what they are looking for, these merry searchers.
Now, where in tarnation is everyone. I say we must have a big push, and then everyone is suddenly on vacation? Let's rally 'round the flag, Hainsies/Kimlets, I will be jiggy with rallying 'round the flag. Meantime - message to merry searchers: If I can be of ANY help do let me know.
Posted by bk @ 10/29/2002 11:52 AM PST

Come on, BK, this is slightly sadistic of you -- teasing about the Merry Searchers and never telling us what they are searching for! Details! We want details!
Posted by Robert Armin @ 10/29/2002 11:54 AM PST

The best way to rid yourself of pesky searchers is to submit them to the most egregious forms of harrassment and embarrassment. Scoff at them you may -- but let us do it too!
Posted by Robert Armin @ 10/29/2002 11:57 AM PST

Didn't the Merry Searchers have a big hit with "Georgy Girl" in the mid 60s?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/29/2002 12:34 PM PST

No, but I think they sang the theme song for some movie starring John Wayne and Natalie Wood.
Posted by Robert Armin @ 10/29/2002 12:39 PM PST

Please don't confuse Seekers with Searchers. Seekers from OZ and Searchers from UK. Quite different fish. (No! I am not really that sensitive about OZ artists)
Was "The Searchers" the movie that inspired the song "That'll Be The Day".?
Carnelia: "Kid Inside", "You Can Have The TV", "The Mason"
Holmes: "Letters That Cross In The Mail","Widescreen", "Escape".
David Campbell does a great version of "Kid Inside". Barbra's version of "Letters That Cross" is beautiful.
William. Check out "Pictures In The Hall" and "Is There Life After High School". Hopefully you will then forget the lyrics of "Sour Smell". Some of The early Karen Akers recordings have some Carnelia songs like "Just A Housewife".
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/29/2002 01:07 PM PST

I didn't realize he wrote "Just A Housewife". There are so many people who wrote WORKING that I never can remember who wrote what. I have heard LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL and was not that impressed. I didn't even realize he wrote it. It's one of those big Broadway flops that had successful productions before and after in other cities.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/29/2002 01:16 PM PST

I like Craig, but feel he's a bit too touchy/feely sometimes. I saw a reading of a show of his called Actor, Lawyer, Indian Chief or something - didn't love it, but there were a couple of really smashing songs, which I would absolutely record someday.
As to the Merry Searchers - you know, they do think they're being oh so clever and it is always amusing to watch them. As you might imagine, they are looking for things, trying to see what we're all talking about, trying to see if there's anything they can GLEAN from this here site. I'm sure if we all put on our thinking Nudie Musical caps we can all have our own ideas as to who the Merry Searchers are and what they might want. But it is ever so much more fun to not name names, but to just point out behavior, don't you think? Don't you think that's just ever so much more irksome? I do.
Favorite Carnelia: Every Saturday Morning (from that new musical), Just a Housewife, You can Have the TV, The Kid Inside.
Favorite Holmes: Well, I could write a book - Terminal, Letters that Cross in the Mail, Widescreen, Second Saxophone, Studio Musician (which I fine incredibly moving), Answering Machine, and on and on.
Posted by bk @ 10/29/2002 01:25 PM PST

Holmes: Perfect Strangers. Beautiful music, great lyrics and lushly orchestrated.
Carnelia: The Kid Inside
I recommend Carnelia's album Pictuer in the Hall.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/29/2002 01:37 PM PST

Also wanted to recommend Holmes Widescreen which BK produced for its reissue with Bonus Tracks on that other label
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/29/2002 01:42 PM PST

I must admit that Holmes and Carnelia are two songwriters with whom I am woefully unfamiliar. I know I've heard a bit of both of them, but not enough to really make much in the way of judgements. That being said, I do think that Holmes' Terminal is absolutely magnificent, particularly as sung by our very own Mr. Guy Haines.
Posted by Jed @ 10/29/2002 03:21 PM PST

Rain, you say. Well, rain would be quite nice, but no no no (that's three no's, which is just too many for my friend Nanette), our local forecast actually calls for a chance of snow tonight and low temperatures of about 15. Due for some unseemly shivering, I'm afraid.
Posted by Jed @ 10/29/2002 03:28 PM PST

Drive-by Posting
I am off to Amour, making it in just before the final curtain rings down…
Posted by freedunit @ 10/29/2002 03:41 PM PST

Fancy that!
You never know what one
Normally will
See
When searching to see what
Our
Readership
Thinks about things
Here
A whole
Lot of
Lovely folks come here who are
Easy going and never
Yell or bitch about anyone.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/29/2002 03:48 PM PST

According to http://www.talkinbroadway.com/sound/upcoming.html the newest release date is November 26th which is supposed to be the store date. The internet date is not mentioned. Actually it says October date unknown, but since there are only two days left for the month.This is delayed from its original release date of September 3rd.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/29/2002 03:49 PM PST

I for one would hope Amour could earn a recording, by someone. Recordings can help interest theaters outside of NYC in producing shows, and there are so many that NYC turns down that deserve productions elsewhere.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 10/29/2002 03:52 PM PST

Yes, there are bears who like to wear rings. Some of us also like to wear leather.
Posted by Rupert the Bear @ 10/29/2002 03:52 PM PST

Did anyone know that HainesHisWay's very own Robert Armin has his very own website??
http://www.robertarmin.com/
Take a look at the site of this talent man and get to know the man behind the postings.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/29/2002 03:53 PM PST

Dear Rubert the Bear:
Are you sure you are on the right website?
If you are drop bi my den anytime.
Posted by SMokey the Bare @ 10/29/2002 03:55 PM PST

It's still cold here in Chicago, and they are predicting snow this week. I ordered tickets for a Richard Rodgers concert that our very own Jason Graae is performing in at the Chicago Humanities Festival. So far the tickets haven't arrived yet, but I hope they get here on time!
Posted by Laura @ 10/29/2002 04:42 PM PST

Carnelia: "The Kid Inside," "You Can Have the TV."
Holmes: The Christmas Song from REMEMBER WENN, "Widescreen," "Terminal," "Letters that Cross in the Mail," "Perfect Strangers," "Escape."
I for one think that there should be an entire magazine devoted to the world of Bruce Kimmel. It could be called, ME!, and detail the daily, weekly, monthly - even hourly - escapades of Bruce. There could be interviews with BK, articles about BK, contributions from the Friends of BK, movie and dvd reviews by BK and a column or two, of course, from Guy Haines: Roving Reporter. Guy's column could be called "Tales from A Net." Of course, there would have to be centerfolds of each and every talented person who has ever recorded a note for BK, thus we can all paper our walls with pictures of Jason Graae in a pointy hat, Debbie Gravitte serving up a smorgasbjord of ham and cheese chunks, Dame Edna - -well on second though - - Dame Edna could be seen passing out party favors, while Lea DeLaria would be the Number One Hat-Check Girl.
I know that I'd subscribe.
Posted by td @ 10/29/2002 05:00 PM PST

Ron, you little dickens. Obtuse is good. Good is obtuse. Is obtuse good.
I am jiggy we a magazine called ME!
Posted by bk @ 10/29/2002 05:19 PM PST

Ron. I am impressed. Very clever.
I need a magazine to replace showmusic.
I will subscribe to ME asap.
At present I am copying a video of Barbara Cook's Melbourne concert froma few year's back. I suspect it was never released officially but was shown on Tv here as a one hour special. We take what we can get. Allan get ready for the mail. Ron. It is time you had multi sysytem video equipment that can play NTSC (USA) system videos and PAL (UK/France/Australia).
Where is Jason?
All this talk of Snow. I never has seen snow. (Well not for a long time and I think much the same for RAIN.) We have started water restrictions here and before long it will be 110 in the shade and we will need a rainmaker.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/29/2002 06:07 PM PST

Weighing in with my CC fave song. It would have to be Kid Inside. As for other faves of Craig Carnelia's.. I simply don't have any.. not a big fan.. I hope he doesn't come here and read it and get all pissy about it...
I am off to create some more fabulous web pages for more fabulous performers on Broadway.. I shall return weigh later and weigh in again.
Posted by Craig @ 10/29/2002 06:41 PM PST

I have absolutely no idea what any of you are talking about!
: )
Tom: Watch your post!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/29/2002 06:47 PM PST

All right! What's going on???
Am I in the twilight zone?
Nobody has posted -- after a day full of postings -- since 6:47 p.m. PST?
Really?
Not even BK pondering this with incredulity????????
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/29/2002 10:18 PM PST

Pondering indeed - it's like a graveyard this evening - bitch-slapping will be in order and the line forms on the right for the errant and truant. This is everyone's idea of a big push. Perhaps tomorrow I shall ask for a little push - maybe then we can get a big push. Some of the most fun discussions have taken place in the wee small hours of the morning, so let's all wake up in the middle of the night and post until the cows come home.
Posted by bk @ 10/29/2002 10:54 PM PST

I'm here!! I've been away at the Met all night. We had some not-so-happy patrons since Ms. Renee Fleming had to cancel her performance tonight due to a mysterious "illness" and her stand-by went on (and turned out to be quite good).
I'm quite excited because I am seeing the newest Broadway debacle since CARRIE---THE DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES. I simply cannot wait to see dancers throwing wigs at one another. I'll give a detailed report later.
Posted by Jason @ 10/29/2002 11:02 PM PST

Re Craig Carnelia, can I commend to the assembled congregation (which is probably a congregation of one at this hour) 'A Cast of Thousands' by Eric Michael Gillett. A CD comprised of CC's songs and CC himself sings on one track. Great stuff.
Posted by Allan @ 10/30/2002 01:34 AM PST

I'll second Allan's recommendation. Totally forgot about that one. EMG used to be the singing Ringmaster for RB/B &B Circus/
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/30/2002 03:44 AM PST

OK, I have no idea what this site is AND.....I AM verily one MERRY SEARCHER, since I was searching for an mp3, midi, realaudio file for the original "Little April Showers" from "Bambi" (the cute little baby deer, not the horny teen slut). Sure, you can mock me all right, go ahead, but it will roll off my back since I love that song and want to sing it for my elderly students (average age 80) in my adult ed. classes before April is over (since the only other April song I can play on my guitar is the original "April Showers". I wish I could play "April in Paris" but it's beyond me, que lastima, quelle domage, though I love to sing it.) Thanks everybody for clueing (cluing?) me in to Rubert Holmes and Craig Carnelia. Never heard of 'em but I hope they are closer to Michel Legrand, Jacque Brel, Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Kern, etc. than to Andrew Lloyd Weber, who frankly gets on my nerves usually. (He was just over AGAIN this morning, always with the kvetching...get a life, Andy!). Well, I'm tired and my resistance to this level of sly banter is low, so please excuse a "newbie" for blathering. I hope I haven't transgressed or overstepped the bounds of unseemliness.
Posted by Rebecca Wave @ 04/12/2003 10:55 PM PST

Well, is my face red. Maybe I'v just stumbled on an abandoned cyber temple to the Pantheon of Broadway whose worshippers have long ago perished or migrated to flashier climes. I just noticed that the most recent posting before mine was in October 2002! I hope everyone is happy and/or enjoying their lives.
Posted by Rebecca Wave @ 04/12/2003 11:19 PM PST

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