haines his way

05/16/2003:
"ANATOMY OF A MURDER"

Well, dear readers, it was inevitable, oh, yes, it was inevitable. What was inevitable you might ask and I might tell you because why should I keep what was inevitable from you dear, dear people? What was inevitable is that at some point I would listen to the album I conceived, did the arrangements for, cast, and recorded. As a reminder, what I did not do was finish the album – in other words, I did not choose which parts of which vocal takes were used (called comping the vocals), and I did not mix it, nor did my engineer, Mr. Vinnie “Pro Tools” Cirilli. Now, before I go into detail with my thoughts on the finished product I want to make one thing perfectly clear – I wanted to like the album. Nothing would have made me happier to know that my artists had been protected, that someone had really taken the time necessary to comp the vocals well. And, even though it would have been bittersweet it still would have been nice that an album that was very special to me had come out wonderfully. However, it did not come out wonderfully in my opinion (IMO, in Internet lingo) and I will tell you my reasons for thinking that it didn’t. This is not sour grapes – this is sadness at knowing what the album could have been. I do know that some people will buy it and will enjoy it, but I also know that I have taken pride throughout my producing career that I have made these types of albums and that they have what I call the “repeatability” factor. People tend to listen to them over and over, the recent Brent Barrett album being a good example (even though I would have put the songs in a slightly different sequence), or Lost in Boston, which people tend to still listen to over and over again. I don’t think that will happen with this album. Again, I know what the album should have and could have been. I was there, I had extensive notes from the vocal sessions and I knew both the arrangements and the orchestrations intimately. And again, I know there are some people who simply enjoy an album despite whatever faults it may have, and that’s fine, too.
First of all, there is a producer credited on the album. Normally, I would imagine that a credited producer would have had something to do with the concept of the album, the song choices, the arrangements, the casting of the singers, you know, minor details like that. I would also imagine that the credited producer would attend the recording sessions, such as the orchestra date and the vocal sessions, and yet I have no memory of the credited producer every having attended any of those sessions. I do have a memory that he was the orchestra and talent contractor for the AFM and AFTRA and that he wrote checks to those people.
In any case, I put the CD in my player and hoped for the best. The first track, The Age of Not Believing (not a brilliant opening number if you ask me) is sung by Christine Ebersole. The first thing I noticed was that the band sounded thinner than I thought it should, and after hearing the song I know they used an early take of Miss Ebersole’s vocal, because she got better and better and infused the song with more warmth and subtlety as the takes progressed. If I had to offer a guess, it sounded like they used one full take with no comps, although I suppose I could be wrong, although I suppose I don’t think I am. Miss Ebersole had quite a lot of reverb on her voice in the mix, but it wasn’t terrible and I began to have hope that the album would at least have some quality. That hope vanished with Ten Feet Off the Ground. Before I go on, let me explain something – after we do the orchestra date, Vinnie and I do rough orchestra mixes on all the songs – they’re rough, yes, but they sound pretty damn good because I like the singers to hear a nice mix of the song they’re singing. We then bring that to New York to record the vocals. So, they had those rough mixes and it would have been terribly easy for whoever was doing the work to use them. That was, in fact, my hope. But they didn’t and more about that later. So, Ten Feet Off The Ground comes on and again I think, why does the band sound so thin? Then the singers start singing and they sound like they’re in a tiny closet somewhere, almost no reverb on their voices and a totally different sound than the previous track. An album must sound “of a piece” and why they would put different reverbs for each singer is beyond me, but that’s what it sounds like. Then came Michelle Pawk – Michelle had done a couple of takes which would have been okay to use without comping and she comes off best on the album. However, the track is at least three decibels louder than the previous track and Miss Pawk is so far in front of the small combo playing her song that the point of the arrangement is missing. Anyway, to make a long story long, on I listened. Rebecca Luker, unlike Michelle, was far back in the mix – difficult to hear her, and a muddy reverb on her voice, and a full take used rather than a comped vocal. When I’m working with talent, I always let them do a take before discussing anything with them. I normally save the take in case there might be a line or two I want to use, but with rare exceptions that first take is not what we use (a rare exception, for example, was Kristin Chenoweth’s Lion Tamer – one take, perfect). I then let the talent listen to what they did, we discuss the song, I offer some opinions and they do another take. I will end up doing as many as I need to know that I can make a wonderful vocal and I take extensive notes about which takes have which bits. I then spend a day with Vinnie comping – I listen to every single take and have a comp sheet and I write down which take for which line or even occasionally which word or syllable, and then we put the take together and voila – an excellent vocal that seems like the singer did it all in one. It’s a painstaking process, but my singers know that I will take the time to make them as good as they can possibly be, and that is why they come and record for me over and over again.
I had done many takes of Janine LaManna’s Hushabye Mountain. She came in with some strong preconceived and rehearsed notions, which I felt were too much for this small and beautifully gentle lullaby. We worked for an hour and a half, doing take after take, and by the end of eight takes I knew I had enough to make a good vocal. It sounds to me like they used a complete and early take. But most amusingly, in the orchestral section (the repeat without singer), there is a sax solo playing the melody in the second half of it – my memory is that it was not a sax solo in David Siegel’s orchestration, and I scratched my head hearing it, trying to figure out why they replaced whatever instrument (probably an oboe) that did play it. The fact that the sax is a quarter tone sharp doesn’t help matters any (and, as a note of interest, the sax was played by the credited producer). Then I got to Emily Skinner’s track, the big band-sounding Where Did the Good Times Go. Again, I said, why does the orchestra sound so thin? When it hit the instrumental break I suddenly knew why. I called Todd Ellison, the conductor, and he’d just listened to it (I will not pass on his reaction – I will only say that it was worse than mine and he refused to listen to it all the way through) and I told him what I thought had happened, and he went back and listened to Emily’s track and he absolutely confirmed and agreed as to what I felt the problem was.
My goodness this is endless, isn’t it? Let’s all click on the Unseemly Button below so I can wrap it up in a thrice.

What finally hit me in listening to Emily’s track was that I was only hearing two saxophones. The chords weren’t complete. Two saxes, two trumpets, something was not right. And then I realized what they’d done. They simply left off one pass of reeds and brass (and I’m sure strings as well, just not in that number). A brief bit of information on the way in which I record: My orchestrators know that the orchestra will consist of two trumpets, two reeds, two French horns, one trombone, one percussionist, one drummer, one bass, a piano, five violins, one viola, one cello and harp (if called for). However, they also know that once we get the basic track down, we do a second pass of reeds and brass, percussion (if he can’t cover everything in the first pass), and strings. In other words, the orchestrator writes separate parts for four reeds, three or four trumpets, two trombones and four French horns – plus ten violins, two violas and two cellos. Well, after listening to Emily’s track I believe they simply left off the second pass on every song, or, if it’s there, it is so low in the mix that you can’t hear it at all. There are not four saxes playing in Emily’s song, therefore the chords and harmonies are only half-complete. Suddenly the thinness of the band all made sense.
Jason Graae’s track is a perfect illustration of using an early take – on the early takes he was still getting used to the track and finding his way – the later takes had all the fun and personality that we have come to know and love – the take that was used has none of it – it’s just a singer getting through a song. Later, he began to have fun with the words, and got more manic and it was wonderful. He’s not even with the piano in the intro.
Then Gary Beach’s track came on (Busker Alley) and after the first chorus I had to shut the album off. I love Gary Beach, Gary Beach is wildly talented and I’d worked with him on the Sondheim at the Movies album. Gary is very much over-the-top when he begins to record. Gradually, over many takes, I get him to do less and less, bring forward his considerable charm and when I comp the vocal we have a terrific performance. Again, it sounds like an early full take was used, one where Mr. Beach’s enunciation isn’t wonderful and where he was still over-the-top. So, I’m afraid I haven’t heard anything past that track, but will slog through the rest of it later today.
I don’t say any of this with glee or “I told you so” – I was hoping it would be fine, I was hoping it would be better than fine, for the sake of the singers, and for the sake of the arrangements and orchestrations. Todd was not happy with anything he heard and he even thinks that a vocal ensemble was left off one number.
But, you know, I come from a place different from the casual listener, so if you buy it and enjoy it for what it is, then that’s great. I think everyone should get the thing and judge for themselves. The songs, of course, are wonderful. And the album could have been wonderful if the proper care had been taken – regardless of who completed it and did the work.
Well, that was quite a mighty wind, wasn’t it? I could have written more, but I was trying to make a long story long. And now I have used up all of today’s notes, but I knew that you dear readers would expect a report and I cannot be less than honest when giving my opinion. By the way (BTW, in Internet lingo), the wonderful thing about these United States of America is that we are all, each and every one of us, allowed to give our opinions. Isn’t that marvelous?
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do – I am actually doing something interesting today and I shall tell you about it tomorrow. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video players? I’ll start – the you-know-what album and also Dimitri Tiomkin’s soundtrack to Search for Paradise, and I’m about to start listening to the big George Martin box set. DVD player – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Your turn.

Replies: 80 Unseemly Comments

FIRST POST! Huzzah!!
CD Player: EVITA (Patti LuPone)
THE STEPHEN SCHWARTZ ALBUM (one of my very favorite CDs that you've done, BK)
DVD Player: "Gypsy"
Posted by Jason @ 05/16/2003 09:46 AM PST

First of all, BK, you are being a little hard on yourself. I enjoyed the SB album because even if they messed with the "mixes" it was still a good bunch of singers doing good arrangements of great songs. And frankly, I prefer to hear a singer in one take rather than an edited version of a few lines here, a few lines there. I'm just curious if the "extra added tracks" being added to some of your old recordings were produced by you initially.
Interesting to note that all 4 NY papers had obits for Robert Stack and June Carter Cash but none mentioned Wendy Hiller. Did she die after the deadlines?
Currently in my CD - The 5 (budget priced) Sony Classic reissues. Why can't they release one every couple of months instead of 5 or 6 once a year? Also I'm listening to the studio recording of LADY BE GOOD since I'm seeing that tomorrow as the last Musicals Tonight this season.
VHS - A couple of "Season Finale Episodes" I recorded this week and haven't had the time for.
DVD - I have so many new ones I haven't decided which to watch first if I can find the time.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/16/2003 10:01 AM PST

Hmmmmmm.....sounds like some of my favorite songs on what could have been one of my favorite albums got the short shrift. Grrrrrr.....looks like one to look for in the used bins and on EBAY sooner or later.
Jason - isn't the outtake of TOGETHER WHEREVER WE GO a lot of fun? I love DVD.
In my CD player National Theatre SOUTH PACIFIC (again) it's almost over.
In my VHS THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US...not my favorite Creature from the Black Lagoon movie (that would be REVENGE OF THE CREATURE) but this one is okay.
In the DVD player - anticipating the arrival of 1776 today!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/16/2003 10:01 AM PST

Bruce,
Will there be a Kimlet get-together in NYC at the end of the month?
Posted by Phil @ 05/16/2003 10:03 AM PST

Jrand52: Yes, I love the cut numbers. I understand why they took them out, I suppose, but they're great fun to watch.
Its funny...the only Mama Roses I've ever seen have been Rosalind, Bette and Bernadette. I'm reading Gypsy Rose Lee's memoirs right now, and every time she mentions her Mother, the only one I can imagine in my head is Rosalind Russell. I keep thinking, though, that maybe I'd have Merman in my head had she been the first Mama I'd ever seen.
Posted by Jason @ 05/16/2003 10:16 AM PST

WEL: I'm not being hard on myself at all. If a singer does the song in one take and that take is wonderful, great. I would venture to say that if you listened to all 130 of my albums you would never ever be able to tell me which vocals were done in one take because they all sound as if they were. It doesn't matter if the final vocal is made up of a hundred takes if the end result makes it sound as if it were one take. That's the way it works. As I said, Chenoweth is one take because it was the right take. Others have done it, too, but not a lot.
No, none of the "added" tracks on new reissues were done by me. I know I am being picky, and, as I said in my notes, if you enjoy the album, great. I don't enjoy it for the reasons stated - there is not one singer (save Michelle) that is presented at their best - they all had better takes but those takes had to be handled with TLC. You know, it's very simple - it's like someone conceiving and directing a film, and then having that film taken away and given to an editor who doesn't understand the vision behind the film or how the film was meant to be put together. So, the editor might use the wrong take of an actor and hurt his performance, there might be no sense to the structure of the film. The editor might leave out an important shot that was meant to be in a scene. It doesn't mean that the result will be terrible to all who see it, but it will not be the film it could have or should have been. End of metaphor.
If everyone is up for a Hainsies/Kimlets get-together, I certainly will be.
Posted by bk @ 05/16/2003 10:37 AM PST

Jason - I have always had the Merman album, and I saw Midler - BUT I always think of Russell when I think of Rose. Funny, isn't it....small and funny and fine.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/16/2003 10:56 AM PST

Wanna know what's funny?
What's funny is that in my work -- in County government -- HHW stands for Household Hazardous Waste!
Isn't that a corker?
Is that just too too?
Est-ce que vous etes "amused"?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 05/16/2003 11:10 AM PST

All right, all right, all right (that is three all rights which make a wrong) where in tarnation IS everyone? It is most unseemly to have only eight posts, even though those posts are cherce. Let's get some postin' goin' on, shall we? For example, what in tarnation are you listening to and watching?
Posted by bk @ 05/16/2003 11:19 AM PST

BK, is there going to be a trivia ? tomorrow, as promised last week? I need to know whether to bring my computer home from the office today.
Posted by steveg @ 05/16/2003 11:24 AM PST

I am not in Tar Nation. No indeedy, I am not.
In my office CD player right now is the album in question, as I have been reading BK's notes on the subject and listening to the tracks in question. I know I felt something was off on my first listening, and now I have a word for it: 'thin'. (See, I even used thin quotes.)
Previous to that I listened to the Maury Yeston album and reconfirmed my love for the wonderful Brent Barrett's voice. Reminds me of Robert Goulet. Yes he does. Now he's the one who should be doing 9 on Broadway right now, but--hey, what action-adventure movies has Brent made to qualify him for such a rôle? Anyway, I think his version of "New Words" is my favorite of all now.
And BK: it's "in a trice", not "in a thrice". A trice is a period of time somewhat short of a quadrice or a quintice. 8-)>
Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/16/2003 11:32 AM PST

Then what in tarnation is a thrice? Damn them, damn them all to hell. And yes, we will have an Unseemly Trivia Contest question courtesy of a dear reader. And yes, the "thin" quality is because they simply left off one pass of instruments - so none of the orchestrations are "complete" - there are two reeds, one or two trumpets, one trombone, two french horns and some percussion missing from every track - as well as a partridge in a pear tree and three maids a milking.
Posted by bk @ 05/16/2003 11:38 AM PST

To all Brent Barrett fans in the NYC area, Brent will be featured in "Broadway By The Year - 1960) at Town Hall on Monday, June 9 at 8:00 pm. These usually sell out, so order tickets now. And each concert they turn off the mikes for one or two songs so you're lible to hear Brent's glorious voice unamplified.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/16/2003 11:39 AM PST

I have been busy this morning: at 6:45 I took Dear Reader Megan (who sends her greetings to you all) to the lab for bloodwork. Then we went to the park and fed ducks and Canadian Geese and swans.
I found the nesting swans a couple of weeks ago and have been going back to photograph them: so far I have a photo of the eggs, the newly hatched baby (only one egg hatched), and today I got the baby swimming with its mother. I know you are all just fascinated, aren't you? Course you are.
In the car CD player, Judy Kaye.
Posted by Laura @ 05/16/2003 11:51 AM PST

Bill - Brent Barrett sings NEW WORDS on the Maury Yeston Songbook cd? Is that correct? If so, I will be ordering something ELSE today from Amazon!
Mr BK - I thought your title for today's notes was perfect. Thanks for letting us on the outside in on how the inside works. VERY interesting to know that the little round silver disc I hold in my hands came about. Not that we need to know everything, but it certainly makes me appreciate to good ones a lot more.
I think it was William Goldman who wrote that every creative project is the result of dozens of little battles to the death. And without them and those that fight them, we would end up with nothing but compromises. And sometimes, we do anyway.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/16/2003 11:55 AM PST

Maybe the NY papers were just as stunned as I was to hear that Dame Wendy had actually been ALIVE all these years! When she was in Murder on the Orient Express back in '76 she looked around 90...27 years ago! Who else is still kicking around that I don't know about? Estelle Winwood? Katharine Cornell?
Posted by Lulu @ 05/16/2003 11:57 AM PST

CD: A friend just gave me an advance copy of the Amour cast album, which confirms my feeling that Amour is the best new musicals of the season (and, yes, I liked Hairspray, but just not as much). Most of the show was recorded but, as is to be expected, all of the visual humor is missing. Some of the show's biggest laughs came during song moments that sound relatively serious. Interesting comment from Gerald Schoenfeld in today's NY Times about how pleased he is by the attention Amour is receiving in the various award nominations. While it probably won't win anything, Amour is certainly deserving of a new production somewhere.
Also just listened to the Maury Yeston Songbook. Loved Alice Ripley's Phone Call From the Vatican.
DVD: Recently watched Harry Potter II and Catch Me If You Can. I've also been watching the complete set of episodes of Solo, an 80's British comedy with Felicity Kendall.
VCR: Season finales of West Wing (wow!); Friends (still holding in there) and Will & Grace (Messing is still one of the best comic presences on TV).
Posted by OM Time @ 05/16/2003 12:01 PM PST

BK -
I feel for you because I've been there too. It's your child for god's sake! What rotten sons of guns! Didn't you say previously that there is a lawsuit pending or something? Perhaps in the future to ensure control of your work, you'll need to have an ironclad contract by a top lawyer!
In my VCR - IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER with Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Dan Dailey, Michael Kidd and Delores Gray. There were certainly things wrong with this film, such as (IMO) the dark sets and costumes and uneven performances (Delores was too "big" and Cyd's character was not clear--she was, in fact, TWO). But, as I watched it last night, I couldn't help thinking someone should rework this film into a stage musical. With some scriptwork (original by Comden & Green) and more numbers, it MIGHT appeal to today's audiences. I know from some recent reading, that Gene was disappointed with it, too. Next up is a dance film by Roland Petit called BLACK TIGHTS.
Posted by Donna @ 05/16/2003 12:14 PM PST

Jrand - I think you are correct about BB on the MY CD. I'm at work and the CD is at home so I can;t check at the moment, but look at the track listing. By the way, almost all of the Broadway by the Years have been recorded and are released about 3 months after the concert, so since I assume you can't be in NY June 9, you can get still hear it around the beginning of September.
OM Time - If the "Amour" CD is ready now, do you know why they are waiting until July 8 to release it?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/16/2003 12:18 PM PST

WEL - The CD was done, but apparently not the booklet. My friend's copy came in a white envelope with a songlist label stuck on it. I think it was an advance copy for Tony voters.
Posted by OM Time @ 05/16/2003 12:21 PM PST

Both parties instigated lawsuits, but those were settled last June, with both parties agreeing not to discuss the terms of the settlement. The one lesson I learned was to not enter into any agreement ever without a lawyer. But when the people keep telling you they're your friend and to trust, well, sometimes you do and it's a mistake. Life is all about lessons learned and I learned a doozy during that difficult time.
I came away with much disrespect for a legal system that is heavily weighted in favor of the wealthy. But that's all in the past, and the future awaits.
Posted by bk @ 05/16/2003 12:21 PM PST

Donna---
IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER is one of my favorite MGMusicals... but I hope you were watching it in letterbox. It is one of the best uses of CinemaScope I've ever seen and you really miss a lot in the pan-and-scan version.
I only wish that "I Said Good Morning" was not eliminated prior to filming. It's the song Betty & Adolph opened both editions of their "Party With" with.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/16/2003 12:23 PM PST

Not only does the Sexiest Man Alive sing "New Words" on the Maury Yeston Album--he also does "Only with You".
And nobody does it better. Oh, a Carly Simon reference.
And Alice's "Call from the Vatican" is great. At last I understood the lyrics,
Who won't care if you come to me tired and overworked?
I won't! Bambino,
Who knows a therapy to beat what you can get from me?
I don't!
Anita Morris and whoever is on the London CD both swallow the words like Forbidden Broadway's "Patti Lupone".
Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/16/2003 12:48 PM PST

Yes Laura, I am fascinated.
In my DVD play is All Creatures Great and Small. My, what those actors did was amazing. Sometimes we go back to watch in slow speed, though it is gross, to see if they had a stunt vet. But no, it appears to be the actors with their arms inside various parts of the animals.
Posted by Jane @ 05/16/2003 12:49 PM PST

CD Player: 1776 OCR - since I played the show this week - and will be playing it for three more weeks starting Tuesday.
DVD: -Still a bunch of titles on stand-by.
VCR: Tapes of various shows, but, actually, I've watched most of them. I guess more for references purposes then.
-Well, time for me to continue waking up. I really, and I mean really, slept in today. Guess yesterday's show took more out of me than I thought. Once I'm more awake, I'll post more.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/16/2003 12:53 PM PST

Dear esteemed, creative, and justified (to be disappointed) BK,
I know exactly what you are writing about, as to your sense of loss on a project that you started. A lot of people who don't work in this kind of thing may not be aware that really stellar, successful artistic things come about by having A creative head and vision in charge of overseeing everything. That is ONE creative mind, not a committee. Yes, you have the support and added expertise of people such as Grant, Todd, Vinnie, and others to contribute to the project, but a final shaping, molding, and polishing has to come from you.
I have been in a similar situation a couple of times (over 30 years or so) , but thankfully not often. It is why I record on a very small private label; I sometimes take a year or more working on music on and off, until I am completely happy with the end result. I had the misfortune, in the mid 1980s, to record 5 CDs for national release for the label Pro Arte. After I finished putting down all the material at location recording sessions, they would randomly chop stuff up, take entire pieces out of show medleys, screw up reverb EQ mixes, without ever saying a word to me. The first I would ever find out about any of the hatchet-job, would be when the CD came out. On top of all of this, they went to the "Robert Evans - Hollywood" school of accounting; after the first CD had made it to number 7 on the Billboard charts and stayed there for number of weeks, I was told that there were no sales and no profit....hence, you guessed it, no royalty!
Bruce, take your deepest very best breath, stand as tall as you can, and with all of the Hainsies/Kimlets acting as your backup chorus, let us shout in unison and as loudly as we can..
DAMN THEM, DAMN THEM ALL TO HELL!!
Go have some pounded steak bubilah....you deserve it.
Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/16/2003 12:59 PM PST

Donna - I also like MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS with Cyd and Dan Dailey. I saw it for the first time in letterbox on TCM last month, and those dances are terrific. I really like Dailey a lot. Of course, he is NOT a romantic dance partner, but his grace and easy style make him a joy to watch.
My 1776 and SILK STOCKINGS dvd's did not arrive today, perhaps tomorrow.
Thanks, Bill, I will check the MY listing at Amazon.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/16/2003 01:04 PM PST

As far as the question of the day;
DVD -- nothing for the past few days
CD in the car -- the BK produced recording of Ruthless! It is just so wonderfully deranged!
2nd CD -- wonderful old Ethel Smith just beating the crap out of Hammond Organ, like nobody else could.
VCR -- movie production number excerpts the other night with DR Laura and Kerry.
Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/16/2003 01:06 PM PST

Thank you kindly. I have heard the rest of the album and the same problems persist throughout. Liz comes off fine, but the orchestration for Feed the Birds has lost its point by not including the second orchestra pass - my idea for the opening and closing was that it should sound like Vaughan-Williams' Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis - a double string quartet. We only get the single. And all my wonderful bird things I gave the reeds are eighty percent either gone or so far buried in the mix you don't even hear them - they were, of course, the point of the orchestration (you can hear them at the end). Busker Alley's chorus is buried, and there's a bit of percussion missing, but it sounds reasonably full, almost like they listened to the rough mix we did. Why they would put both of Grant Geissman's tracks together is an enigma inside conundrum inside a black hole. Grant receives no credit for his work, and his tracks remain unfinished. He only did the roughs so we could record the vocals - he had a lot of work left to do, including adding solo instruments which is why you hear a cheap synth playing the melody in the Tom Sawyer song. I haz spoken and I shall speak no more unless something else comes to mind.
Posted by bk @ 05/16/2003 01:07 PM PST

Well, BK, you and MusicGuy have put me in a fine fettle, and that's a fine kettle of what is it, fish? let me tell you.
All this talk of lawyers, oy! We went through that for five years while my Joe was settling his lawsuit against a greedy Japanese corporation, and now we have been going through "Unpleasant Business" for going on two years now with lawyers and shamuses and what-not. But it is finally going to be coming to a resolution (supposedly)starting next Friday and into the following week.
So if I log on occasionally and just grrrrrrrrrowl, you'll all know why.
Meanwhile, let's make sure we all send positive vibes to Phil, aka Johnny One-Note, for his performance tonight at some hitherto undisclosed location on Long Island.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/16/2003 01:14 PM PST

In my DVD player: nothing
In my CD player here at work: three CDs that just arrived yesterday from amazon.co.uk: the London cast recordings of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," "Tell Me On a Sunday" (the new, revised version) and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" with Michael Ball. I listened to CCBB last night and really liked it, except for the arrangement/orchestrations for "Truly Scrumptious." It sounded like a schlocky, Muzak-y, lounge arrangement/orchestration of the song and I felt that it was totally out of place with the rest of the score. I really liked the rest of the score, even the new stuff, but I missed the reprise of "Hushaby Mountain" when they're underground with all the Vulgarian children. It may be in the show and just not on the CD. I hope so. The new song, "Teamwork" is a good up-tempo song to get them motivated to take back the country.
In my VCR: last night's ER finale...but only the first half. I didn't correctly calculate the amount of time left on the tape and it ran out. My niece taped it so I can watch her copy.
About the Sherman Brothers' CD. Did anyone else download and print the original mock-up of the cover with the Disney pictures and put it with your CD? I did. (The picture is sort of hidden on the label's website, but not too difficult to find--hey, let's see how long it stays, click on my name!) I'm using that as the cover for my CD and have the actual "official" booklet underneath it. For historical purposes, I've copied Bruce's comments above and will put together my own little CD booklet so that the story will be remembered ... by me, at least.
Posted by George @ 05/16/2003 01:30 PM PST

JRand - Unfortunately, I saw the pan and scan version of IT'S ALWAYS... Very frustrating to watch! I just recently saw MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS but was disappointed in it (mostly with the script). The on location shots of Vegas in the '50s was fun, though. I just finished reading "The Two of Us" by Cyd Charisse and Tony Martin and the song, "The Gal in the Yellar Shoes," is based on some real-life shoes of Cyd's that Tony didn't like (so much so, he let their dog chew them to bits).
I like Dan Dailey too. One video I haven't been able to get (I borrow them through the public interlibrary loan program) is THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE. Have you seen it? It's the story of De Sylva, Brown and Henderson and is with Dailey, Gordon MacRae, Ernest Borgnine (!) and Sheree North. I have a vague memory of seeing and enjoying it. You know, there's an, shall we say, "illuminating" story Andre Previn tells about Dan Dailey in his book, "No Minor Chords: My Days in Hollywood." I won't tell it here, in case you'd like to read it.
Posted by Donna @ 05/16/2003 01:54 PM PST

Ah, BK, thank you for sharing your angst and pain about the album. I felt your frustration and disappointment intensely, and the fact that you wrote at length only demonstrates to us (who knew anyway) your incredible passion and dedication to your projects. I wish I could give you a big ole hug, but accept one in spirit. We've all been there in one way or another.
CD: LOST IN BOSTON III
laserdisc: ZIEGFELD GIRL
DVD: TIME AFTER TIME
There was a lot of acrimony during the making of IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER. Donen and Kelly were not getting along. Supposedly Kelly sabotaged things out of jealousy or irritation with Kidd, Comden and Green. The cut numbers "Love Is Nothing But a Racket" and "Jack and the Space Giants" are both on the laserdisc. Neither is great, but I'm glad I have them. Despite all the chaos backstage, what's on screen is VERY entertaining, and the use of Cinemascope is wonderfully accomplished.
Posted by Matt H. @ 05/16/2003 01:58 PM PST

Well I am back from my first interview since the move. I want to thank Jason for soliciting good vibes from everyone here while I was at the interview at 3. I see he posted something to tell you all to do that. Oh. Wait.. no he didn't. Now they'll be some bitchslappin!
Ohhhh Jaaaaaaaasssoooooonnnnnnnnn
LOL
Posted by Craig @ 05/16/2003 02:35 PM PST

Craig...I did, indeed post it! Its on yesterday's late posts. So there! :-P I hope it went well for you...
Posted by Jason @ 05/16/2003 02:59 PM PST

Positive and friendly Vibes to Craig & Phil.
DVD: last played was "Carousel"
CDs "Carousel" s/track
"Titanic" OBC
"Side Show" OBC
Book: TWIGGY In Black And White - An Autobiography.
p389 Tony Walton had been having dinner with Bruce Kimball (sic), a record producer friend from California.
A few pages are devoted to the experience.
Thought that you would all like to know that
Thanks WFL for the McRae information in yesterday's late posts.What a waste.
The MY album is very enjoyable.
Agree with Bill Orr re the version of "A Call From The Vatican" wonderful performance.
McGillin's "No Moon" and Ripley's "Please Let's Not Even Say Hello" are standouts
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/16/2003 03:24 PM PST

OM Time!
Oh My Gawd -- Solo was the funniest show ever. I've tried and tried to find it on video, but alas could never find it in the States. I've needed to be uplifted, considering I've had a migraine for the past two days.
As for the topic of the day -- the original X Men is in the VCR and Harry Potter II is in the DVD player.
Posted by Angela @ 05/16/2003 03:29 PM PST

BK --
I'm only a new reader, but I still would like to send out my sincere sincere sympathies to you, but I also want to echo everyone else's appreciation for you posting your feelings here. It's fascinating for me to read how the mastermind behind all of these albums which I adore so much (Lost in Boston is currently in my cd player, rotating with Pacific Overatures) feels about the work. And to know how they come to be -- at the risk of sounding obsequious (aw, hell) it sounds like you're a singer's dream to work with. The ability to do that many takes, to keep exploring and playing, unpressured to "get it right" the first time...wow. And then knowing that you do everything in your power to preserve the fruits of that exploration...wow again. I'm truly sorry that on this particular album, that preservation could not happen. But I nevertheless look foward to hearing it, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it immensely -- it sounds like a great repetoire of music done by truly splendid singers.
Posted by Anna @ 05/16/2003 03:32 PM PST

In my CD player:
Captain From Castile -- glorious in Stereophonic Sound!!!!
The Dark Crystal
Hawaii -- the original tracks are a revelation!
Beloved Infidel -- all the spiffy orchestrational frou-frou really puts some zing into this wonderful score.
Magic -- it is, indeed...and creepy, too.
Return of A Man Called Horse -- quite wonderful.
In my VHS player: The next-to-the-last episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (sob!!)
In my DVD player: Nada.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 05/16/2003 04:11 PM PST

BK: Truly sorry about the mess made of not just your own work but the work of others. Egos and greed are a big turn-off for me.
DVD player: Catch Me If You Can. Fun film, well acted throughout, and the perfect way for Spielberg to get playful again. The notes about the film on the second disc are a lot of fun, too. I've particularly enjoyed Mr. John Williams' notes about his notes, where he gets to do the kind of music he hasn't done for quite some time.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 05/16/2003 05:02 PM PST

Not usually a topic of mine but here it is folk ---CAKE. Colin cooked a Rhubarb cake last night (home grown rhubarb of course) and we are having some for morning teas after our usual Saturday shopping. It is wonderful indeed. I love Rhubarb.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/16/2003 05:26 PM PST

I don't know if any of you are watching this, but there is a HORRIBLE Celebrity-Look-Alike "contest" on the WB right now. As I type, I am listening to young Britney and Justin Timberlake look-alikes who don't really look anything like these celebs and (yes, its possible) they're singing WORSE than the celebs they're supposed to look like! The producers have even pumped in canned laughter to acknowlege the fact that these kids can't sing or dance. How sad...
Posted by Jason @ 05/16/2003 05:41 PM PST

Well, since Tom started bringing up food again...
I just tried the Slow-Cooked Portabello Mushrooms recipe from this week's Minimalist column in the NYTimes... Wonderful!!!
*And since I was cooking for myself tonight... I modified it by just adding some fresh tomatoes at the end - I guess making a sort of salsa cruda. WOW! -And the texture that the mushrooms take on after basically simmering in olive oil for about 30 minutes is amazing. -As for leftovers.... not a chance! :-)
And I finally was able to use some of the fresh herbs I've been growing too!
My TV watching for the evening: I watched the opening of the Daytime Emmys. Wayne Brady did an "old school" rap number which was lots of fun - imho. -Ah, those fond memories of the Sugar Hill Gang. Then attended to my dinner. Right now, I've switched over to Tyler's Ultimate on FoodTV - Tarte Tatin tonight! Hmmm... Guess what I may be making tomorrow...
-Although I am curious about that celebrity look-alike show that Jason is watching.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/16/2003 06:10 PM PST

Oh, and Tom, I like rhubarb too - there were some great recipes in this week's Washington Post Food section - and you can check them out at washingtonpost.com. -Actually, I guess since it is the season, there have been a lot of rhubarb recipes showing up lately - even saw one for a rhubarb shooter - small, "de-strung" piece of rhubarb, dipped in sugar, followed by sips of vodka!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/16/2003 06:13 PM PST

OK, OK, OK...(that's 3 OK in BK-speak) All this talk of food can instantly get me off course. Shame on you Tom, .... Fie on you Jose....
OK, so a little bit ago I just finished making what I think is the best chocolate cake recipe I have ever had. It's dark, nice and heavy (like a bundt almost) great texture, and then split into 4 layers and filled and covered with a good, honest, real, vanilla butercream frosting. Doesn't anybody make real frosting anymore?? Doesn't anybody wear a hat??
It will be yummy...it is for DR Kerry's nephew who graduated from college today. We'll be back later after eating like piggies.
Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/16/2003 06:32 PM PST

Oh, MusicGuy! Real Buttercream is the one thing I have yet to try to make - I just have "fond" memories of being covered by powdered sugar when I was younger. But I did finally figure out Seven-Minute Icing!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/16/2003 06:34 PM PST

Rhubarb ! rhubarb!
That's good for intestinal
transit, right?
Posted by François @ 05/16/2003 06:35 PM PST

Ohhhh.... I just discovered that
rhubarb is, in fact, a vegetable
full of calcium and vitamin C....
Ain't that interesting ????
Posted by François @ 05/16/2003 06:39 PM PST

Rats, so much for obtaining a VHS copy of Solo -- it's only available in PAL! Darnit!
Posted by Angela @ 05/16/2003 07:00 PM PST

Rhubarb is sometimes listed as a herb. (or as some Americans are prone to say "an 'erb" - pretentious and erroneous IMHO.There even are places where English completely disappears! Which is a Ray cue for Tuesday).
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/16/2003 07:10 PM PST

I sure hope your name isn't on this CD, BK.
Posted by Laura @ 05/16/2003 07:16 PM PST

Oh, PAL's good for the ...dogs!
some compact discs to which
i've listened lately;
Judy Kaye; rare songs from
Musical Theater...
Judy Kaye -- can't stand her!!!
--Gershwin songs, with
baritone William Sharp and
pianist Steven Blier. (Pure joy)
Jason Howard, Welsh
baritone....
and a terrific compilation of
songs from Musicals themed
to Paris, specially concocted
for ME by Dear Reader Allan.....
Posted by François @ 05/16/2003 07:16 PM PST

Thanks Jose. Just checked out the Washington Post. Now to find the vodka. Interesting idea to serve the Rhubarb with salmon.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/16/2003 07:17 PM PST

Are you ready for this???
NO?!?!
Too late!
rhubarb
[ROO-bahrb]
The thick, celerylike stalks of
this buckwheat-family member
can reach up to 2 feet long.
They're the only edible portion
of the plant — the leaves
contain OXALIC ACID and can
therefore be toxic. Though
rhubarb is generally eaten as
a fruit, it's botanically a
vegetable. There are many
varieties of this extremely tart
food, most of which fall into
two basic types — hothouse
and field grown. Hothouse
rhubarb is distinguished by its
pink to pale red stalks and
yellow-green leaves, whereas
field-grown plants (which are
more pronounced in flavor)
have cherry red stalks and
green leaves. Hothouse
rhubarb is available in some
regions almost year-round.
The field-grown plant can
usually be found from late
winter to early summer, with a
peak from April to June.
Choose crisp stalks that are
brightly hued. The leaves
should be fresh-looking and
blemish-free. Highly
perishable, fresh rhubarb
should be refrigerated, tightly
wrapped in a plastic bag, for
up to 3 days. Wash and
remove leaves just before
using. Because of its intense
tartness, rhubarb is usually
combined with a considerable
amount of sugar. It makes
delicious sauces, jams and
desserts and in some regions
is also known as pieplant
because of its popularity for
that purpose. In America, a
traditional flavor combination
is rhubarb and strawberries; in
Britain, rhubarb and ginger.
Rhubarb contains a fair
amount of vitamin A.
Posted by François @ 05/16/2003 07:24 PM PST

The chocolate cake sounds delicious. MusicGuy, you are torturing me! After I encouraged Bruce to stay on his diet I proceeded to pig out. Instead of loosing the two pounds I accumulated over Mother's Day weekend, I have gained more.
Posted by Jane @ 05/16/2003 07:39 PM PST

DON'T eat the rhubarb leaves!!! They are poisonous.
Posted by Laura @ 05/16/2003 07:41 PM PST

He's torturing YOU, Jane? Good grief! He lives in MY city. Why, I could be there in about twenty minutes!!
Posted by Laura @ 05/16/2003 07:44 PM PST

Somebody's watching SALO? I like Pasolinin as a film maker, I've even read the De Sade piece that SALO was based on, but even with a nice Criterion Collection dvd of SALO, I still find it a hard film to swallow.
Oh, it's SOLO?!?! I must be having a Roseanne Roseannadanna moment. . . excuse me.
I like rhubarb! Very much! Rhubarb & Strawberry Pie with Ice Cream in the summer is quite treat.
I thought that "Nobody Does it Better" was a James Bond reference. . .or a Marvin Hamlisch & Carol Bayer Sager reference. . .
In the cd player - nada. (well, in the car, it's ESCAPEOLOGY from Robbie Williams).
In the dvd player:
ROBBIE WILLIAMS AT THE ALBERT HALL (because certain DRs and I were talking about it in a very pleasant telephone call (NOT from the Vatican) the other night.
CLEOPATRA (Disc One).
GAY PURREE - wow! It's beautiful! Arlen & Harburg's song score is tres formidable!
THE BEGINNING OF THE END - one dear reader and one host extraordinaire doing a brilliant commentary AND the locusts are coming. . .
KISS ME, KATE - with the most beautiful man on the planet, and a close personal friend of BK, Mr. Brent Barrett.
In the vcr: widescreen HELLO, DOLLY!
In the laserdisc player: BAMBI
Posted by td @ 05/16/2003 07:49 PM PST

Daytime Emmy update:
As the World Turns (CBS) won for Best Dramatic Series (a.k.a. Soap Opera).
-Just in case anyone was interested...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/16/2003 07:57 PM PST

Poor deer!
td;
how many time should I tell
you that Bambi is not fit for a
laserdisc player!!
Wait til Humane Society hears
about this!!
... or even wacko Brigitte
Bardot......
Posted by François @ 05/16/2003 08:04 PM PST

I still think that they should have included BAMBI MEETS GODZILLA as a *bonus feature* on the laserdisc.
Posted by td @ 05/16/2003 08:15 PM PST

I heard the Japanese would
not allow that!!! ;- )
Posted by François @ 05/16/2003 08:19 PM PST

OOhh, forgot to mention that
also listened again to the
original cast of the recent
stage version of Doctor Dolittle
which is wonderfully sung and
enthralling, with some voice
work supplied by Dame
Julie.....
"My Friend The Doctor Says
The World Is Full of Fantasies"
"I Love Meat
I admit"
Posted by François @ 05/16/2003 08:23 PM PST

Angela - sorry, I should have mentioned that it was a PAL DVD. BK mentioned that he had a universal DVD player so I picked one up, too. $129 and it plays everything on a regular NTSC TV.
Posted by OM Time @ 05/16/2003 08:46 PM PST

When we moved to Denver from Tulsa, we spent a year in a (dreadful) rented house while ours was being built, just as I began high school.
But my mother found rhubarb growing in the back yard, pulled out her Betty Crocker Cookbook and made us the most scrumptious rhubarb strawberry pie. It was so popular in our family that me mum transplanted the very same rhubarb to every house she lived in thereafter, just for that one pie.
Mmmmmm!
Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/16/2003 08:51 PM PST

Rhubarb day it seems. We grow it nearly all year but it is better in the colder months. Rhubarb and Strawberries are indeed a wonderful combination.
I may send some leaves to some of our world leaders Laura. Many of them talk rhubarb anyway.(Or is that an Australian colloquialism?)
I am meat eater but I still don't eat Bambi or Thumper.I usually avoid Babe too.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/16/2003 09:00 PM PST

Quick, name the theater song that features the word "rhubarb" throughout.
Laura, my name is on the CD only as the person who conceived the album. I had also asked for a proper arrangement credit but this was apparently to much to grant even though I did them. Methinks the egos of some people are beyond repair.
Posted by bk @ 05/16/2003 09:15 PM PST

Ah, "td", you had me going.
Yes, the Criterion "Salo" made me hope that the original rep the film had was 70s shock (and it took a LOT to shock in the 70s).
I watched the entire film on LD...and was aghast, agape and agog throughout most of it. Mostly, it was from the tedium of it all. Pasolini must have been on drugs.
The "shocking" stuff was just bad taste gone terrible amok...but nothing looked real and no one was shown eating or doing anything (IIRC).
I keep remembering it as an allegory about the Nazis for some reason...which it can't be since it was about the excesses rich folks indulged in despite the Third Reich.
I most ardently dis-recommend it to all.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 05/16/2003 09:18 PM PST

"Mumbo Jumbo" from STOP THE WORLD.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/16/2003 09:32 PM PST

Well DRs, we celebrated the graduating nephew, had hugs all around, and indeed did a fair bit of damage to the large chocolate cake. We all had happy little piggy chocolate chins again.
DR Laura...it may have been too much for you, to have 2 chocolate overloads within the same week! I'll let you know when I get a pie done over the next several days. You tasted one of our peaches, so you know that the flavor is great.
DR Jose -- My God, I'm afraid I'm having a Julia Child flashback......all this cooking.
Dear esteemed and lithe BK....my chocolate cake isn't quite C.C. Brown's, but it ain't chopped liver either! Wish you could have had some. And I can't wait to hear the answer about the "rhubarb song" .
Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/16/2003 09:42 PM PST

I love rhubarb pie. Just rhubarb; no strawberries are needed.
But I digress. CD's: Two compilations of mine (which have a little bit of everything on them-- from Jeri Southern to bits of "She Loves Me."), Doris Day's "Latin for Lovers," "Lucky in the Rain" (studio cast) and a great CD of Chet Baker singing and playing various ballads.
Audio cassettes ( yes, I still use then): some Romanovsky and Phillips and a compilation "Broadway on Wheels" CD which mainly contains excerpts from the Burt Bacharach album and the Lost in Boston series.
Oh, Bruce, you should be receiving a package from Phoenix that looks like some immigrant brought it through Ellis Island, but I assure you is safe to open.
Posted by Kerry @ 05/16/2003 09:45 PM PST

Awwwww, Ron, SALO isn't all that bad - I think it's reputation as being "shocking" is just hype: so many people have heard about it, while, we few, we precious few, have been allowed to see it. . .I actually first saw it in the 70s, also, at a campus showing. Needless to say, when you're seventeen or eighteen, and you're seeing Pasolini's SALO on a big screen for the first time, with only THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW and THE CANTERBURY TALES as background. . .well, actually, I don't think that anything could prepare one for SALO. I find it more interesting in theory than in practicality; and honestly, unless one is truly into the writing of DeSade or into Pasolini as a director, there's not much point in seeing SALO. The tedium which you mention, however, I believe to be intentional - it's the apathetic state that these fascists have created which results in unnerving tedium. But as a history lesson, I'd rather have Bertolucci's brilliant 1900, even with its over-the-top performance by Donald Sutherland, trying to personify fascism with a capital "F."
BK, I've gotta say, You have done it again! The commentary track for BEGINNING OF THE END is *wunderbar!* Speaking of which, where in tarnation IS Dear Reader Aura?!?!?!?
Posted by td @ 05/16/2003 09:48 PM PST

Too late to tune in for a Rhubarb musical. Answer is given. Good to have an oblique Newley reference on the site. This here HHW is indeed a wonderful branch of "The People Tree".
WEL: Quick you are. Our French friend sent me a link to a MacRae site. That of course led to Amazon and me buying another CD which I certainly can not afford. I need to join a support group.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/16/2003 09:58 PM PST

Mumbo jumbo
Rhubarb rhubarb
Tickety boobarb
Yak yak yak
Td, thank you for the nice words re commentary track. Funnily, while we've gotten a couple of good reviews for it, we've also gotten a few knocks (me especially) by people who just don't seem to "get" what is going on. They decry the lack of preparation by yours truly, but there WAS no preparation - it all happened quite quickly and we just made the decision to go in and wing it. I had certain questions written out, and then we just had fun. It's amazing how some of thes twits who "review" at amazon just love to knock things they so obviously don't understand.
Posted by bk @ 05/16/2003 10:17 PM PST

Well, BK, you MIGHT be pleased to know that my personal take on BEGINNING OF THE END will be coming soon to a Scarlet Street near you. . .
Posted by td @ 05/16/2003 10:25 PM PST

And MY review of BEGINNING OF THE END and it's commentary is already up at Epinions.com. Click on my name to read it.
Leslie Parrish is on MST3K in a 1975 movie called THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION, that I didn't know she was in.
Directed by Bill Rebane, it he is someone you know - maybe he can contact the elusive Mrs. Raymond Shaw.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/17/2003 06:23 AM PST

Rhubarb - we loved it cooked or in a pie when we were growing up....till we saw the neighbors' dogs peeing on the rhubarb plants VERY late in the summer!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/17/2003 06:25 AM PST

Tell me the Dan Dailey story...I doubt that I will ever get to read the book.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/17/2003 06:32 AM PST

And let's not forget Rhubarb the cat who owned a baseball team (Ray Milland and Jan Sterling were the human stars).
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/17/2003 07:34 AM PST

Well, BK, the gardeners have struck here in Richmond! Right here oustide my very own window! Well, after checking it out, it was the landlord and his assistant finally clearing the overgrown brush and weeds(!) from the front and back "gardens". So... It's nice to have a freshly groomed yard, but, oh, what a price to pay! *We have gravel running between the houses, and it's amazing how the sound of someone walking on gravel can just start digging into someone's still-sleepy brain...
Otherwise, Good Morning!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/17/2003 07:36 AM PST

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