TOD:
I was taken to see the movie version of Porgy and Bess at some point in its first year of release, and it was as much of a game changer for me as West Side Story would be a few years later. I played the soundtrack LP to death, later followed by the Price/Warfield recording. I bought the Duke Ellington, Mel Torme/Frances Faye recording, and in those years I wasn't so interested in jazz arrangements but I'm very glad I took good care of that copy and still have it. Later, the Lehman Engel "complete" recording became an obsession.
As for seeing it performed, one of my great regrets is not being able in the mid-1980s, when I was living and working in L.A., to get to NYC to see it at the Met. That first Saturday broadcast was the greatest thrill, even though it was hampered with transmission problems. My cassette tape of it is probably fair, at best. I should see if it still plays and back it up to digital. I've seen a few productions that ranged from fair to middlin', and I'm afraid I passed on the Broadway incarnation a few years ago. Haven't watched the Trevor Nunn either, as of yet.
TOD:
I was taken to see the movie version of Porgy and Bess at some point in its first year of release, and it was as much of a game changer for me as West Side Story would be a few years later. I played the soundtrack LP to death, later followed by the Price/Warfield recording. I bought the Duke Ellington, Mel Torme/Frances Faye recording, and in those years I wasn't so interested in jazz arrangements but I'm very glad I took good care of that copy and still have it. Later, the Lehman Engel "complete" recording became an obsession.
As for seeing it performed, one of my great regrets is not being able in the mid-1980s, when I was living and working in L.A., to get to NYC to see it at the Met. That first Saturday broadcast was the greatest thrill, even though it was hampered with transmission problems. My cassette tape of it is probably fair, at best. I should see if it still plays and back it up to digital. I've seen a few productions that ranged from fair to middlin', and I'm afraid I passed on the Broadway incarnation a few years ago. Haven't watched the Trevor Nunn either, as of yet.
I have John McGlinn's DVD of the film. I have no idea where he got it. I saw th Met production: my friends Karla Burs and the late great Bruce Hubbard were in it. Seeing him backstage was the last time I saw him alive. I didn't think Levine's tempos were "show bizzy" enough. I don't like the Trevor Nunn film much. Cutting Porgy's goat cart and having him miraculously walk at the end were big artistic errors in my book,
I did like the City Opera production, which was in the hands of two friends, director Tazewell Thompson and conductor John deMain. I saw a dress rehearsal, I think. It was broadcast on either Live from Lincoln Center or Great Performances, and I have the videocassette somewhere. I have only the lowest opinion of the Diane Paulus abortion from several years ago.
I find it shocking that people are allowed to buy and put on their own fireworks shows. There are a enough fireworks shows here but it has to be done by the city.
It's about time to hit this meeting. I hope it's fun and I stay awake. It will be looooong!
My CD arrived today....hopefully I can listen very soon!
Here is a photo from rehearsal last night. Sandi is on script. I don't look like I am working, but I am. I do have a nice spotlight on me, as usual.
(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13495293_10208647848128049_5044546586563178535_n.jpg?oh=3b112cb202a17ad249afa4e1a0bc91e5&oe=5830F2AF)
The collector's print shown at the Ziegfeld was a 35mm IB tech print, not 70mm. That collector recently passed away.
I turned off the lights at 10:30 and at 130 I was still awake. I really have no idea what's screwing up my sleep patterns, This does not bode well for today's loooooong meeting, which could be interesting.
Please send vibes! This August reading needs them.
My CD arrived today....hopefully I can listen very soon!
Here is a photo from rehearsal last night. Sandi is on script. I don't look like I am working, but I am. I do have a nice spotlight on me, as usual.
(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13495293_10208647848128049_5044546586563178535_n.jpg?oh=3b112cb202a17ad249afa4e1a0bc91e5&oe=5830F2AF)
And please, please, please keep those vibes coming for Sunday! I don't know who can make an audition on a Sunday in July. Everyone's out of town or at play!
JohnG, if you enjoy act two, do write an Amazon review. :)
Need some vibes for a friend at church. One of Karla's daughters recently had surgery and is restricted to her bed for two more weeks. Karla's husband is an airplane pilot. He got sick after a stop in Florida where they discovered a brain tumor that must be removed almost immediately. Karla is flying to Florida, and the rest of the family is doing what it can for the girl in the hospital here.
The family has four girls, most of whom I've played with in bell choir or had in Sunday school class.
Need some vibes for a friend at church. One of Karla's daughters recently had surgery and is restricted to her bed for two more weeks. Karla's husband is an airplane pilot. He got sick after a stop in Florida where they discovered a brain tumor that must be removed almost immediately. Karla is flying to Florida, and the rest of the family is doing what it can for the girl in the hospital here.
The family has four girls, most of whom I've played with in bell choir or had in Sunday school class.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vibes for Karla and her family's health! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Need some vibes for a friend at church. One of Karla's daughters recently had surgery and is restricted to her bed for two more weeks. Karla's husband is an airplane pilot. He got sick after a stop in Florida where they discovered a brain tumor that must be removed almost immediately. Karla is flying to Florida, and the rest of the family is doing what it can for the girl in the hospital here.
The family has four girls, most of whom I've played with in bell choir or had in Sunday school class.
Rummaged through the hall closet and found the three Sony Copland sets, so will be putting those in iTunes. Right now listening to some wonderful Morton Gould music.
And my advice on the LA Now and Then CD - louder is better.
Need some vibes for a friend at church. One of Karla's daughters recently had surgery and is restricted to her bed for two more weeks. Karla's husband is an airplane pilot. He got sick after a stop in Florida where they discovered a brain tumor that must be removed almost immediately. Karla is flying to Florida, and the rest of the family is doing what it can for the girl in the hospital here.
The family has four girls, most of whom I've played with in bell choir or had in Sunday school class.
The lost Outside the Box episode. The Outside the Box musical theater group does the color blind version of Porgy and Bess with an all-white cast, save for a few Asians and Hispanics in ensemble roles. We'd see them doing the great number Bess, You Are My Woman Now. It was seriously going to be the second episode until I realized they could come after us for the music rights.
Well, it's time for me to leave work. I'm cat- and fish-feeding for my friend Margo, so I need to do that before I go home.
My Accu-Weather app tells me it is July 6.....should I believe the temperature is says?
The lost Outside the Box episode. The Outside the Box musical theater group does the color blind version of Porgy and Bess with an all-white cast, save for a few Asians and Hispanics in ensemble roles. We'd see them doing the great number Bess, You Are My Woman Now. It was seriously going to be the second episode until I realized they could come after us for the music rights.
I stopped for one of those croissants today. Yum!
What is on a Woody Allen?
What is on a Woody Allen?
Half is corned beef, half pastrami.
http://carnegiedeli.com/menus/sandwiches-deli-classics/ (scroll down)
I have never cared for the kindness of croissants. Just don't "get" them.
I've started watching Fellini's City of Women, which I haven't seen in more than 20 years. I didn't like it before. I like it even less now, if possible. It gets loud about 10 minutes into the movie and stays on really loud. Shrill, ugly, and, yes, fascinating. But after an hour, I can't believe there's still 80 minutes left to go.
Need some Amazonian reviews for the new CD.
I've started watching Fellini's City of Women, which I haven't seen in more than 20 years. I didn't like it before. I like it even less now, if possible. It gets loud about 10 minutes into the movie and stays on really loud. Shrill, ugly, and, yes, fascinating. But after an hour, I can't believe there's still 80 minutes left to go.
If you don't like it, why keep watching it?
On the DD front -- we are hanging in there. The little one is a darling and the big one is still being a stinker.
I never received anything about the e-book settlement.
Is that because I bought all my e-books from Amazon?
I never received anything about the e-book settlement.
Don't you have a Nook?
I've started watching Fellini's City of Women, which I haven't seen in more than 20 years. I didn't like it before. I like it even less now, if possible. It gets loud about 10 minutes into the movie and stays on really loud. Shrill, ugly, and, yes, fascinating. But after an hour, I can't believe there's still 80 minutes left to go.
If you don't like it, why keep watching it?
On the DD front -- we are hanging in there. The little one is a darling and the big one is still being a stinker.
I never received anything about the e-book settlement.
Don't you have a Nook?
A Nook? No, I have a Kindle and an iPad.
I vant to be alone!
Well, it's time for me to leave work. I'm cat- and fish-feeding for my friend Margo, so I need to do that before I go home.
I hope you're not feeding the fish to the cats. ;)
Barnes and Noble just began their 50% off Criterion sale. Great deals on almost all titles.
I received an email from Barnes and Noble that I have a $14.13 credit due to the settlement on the ebook lawsuit.