Well, I guess if you do something once a year you can call it an Annual Tradition (no jokes about bathing, please). It occurred to me that I posted this song during the holidays last year prior to the establishment of the Guilty Pleasures: The Music Edition postings, but after further review, think it is an ideal candidate for this years Christmas selection.
Much has been chronicled about the Karen Carpenter story, and all would agree that her death was a tragic and untimely waste of an extraordinary talent. But as wonderful as her singing was, I always use this song to call attention the the incredible vocal arrangements and overdubs created by her brother Richard Carpenter, and respectfully suggest that the last four bars of Merry Christmas Darling is stunningly perfect music.
Sure, the schmaltz factor on this tune hits an all-time high (or low, depending on your view), but realizing how few 'new' Christmas songs have been successfully added to the genre can put the impact of this song into perspective. Let's use this song to remind us to be thankful for the privilege of spending time with our family and friends during the holidays.
All the best,
KO
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
"I'll Never Smile Again" by The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Maybe it's the time of year when we wear our feelings on our sleeve, or maybe I'm letting the world know that I am a "rank sentimentalist" by selecting this song. Or, just maybe, it's a beautiful and sad love song sung by some young kid named Sinatra.
I can imagine how couples separated during WWII must have felt listening to "I'll Never Smile Again" by Tommy Dorsey; consoled and heartbroken at the same time. Wonderful group singing, a sparse and delicate arrangement for a big band, and there is something about the tone of Tommy Dorsey's trombone that, for me, is magical.
The guilt? The lyrics are light-weight, the music is fairly pedestrian, and I suppose a guy my age getting sappy over a tune that was done 20 years before he was born is bad enough. But hey, it's a classic, and it deserves 3 minutes of your time while you drink a nice glass of wine and remember that special someone.
Good Night, Mrs. Calabash (wherever you are).
Regards,
Ken
I can imagine how couples separated during WWII must have felt listening to "I'll Never Smile Again" by Tommy Dorsey; consoled and heartbroken at the same time. Wonderful group singing, a sparse and delicate arrangement for a big band, and there is something about the tone of Tommy Dorsey's trombone that, for me, is magical.
The guilt? The lyrics are light-weight, the music is fairly pedestrian, and I suppose a guy my age getting sappy over a tune that was done 20 years before he was born is bad enough. But hey, it's a classic, and it deserves 3 minutes of your time while you drink a nice glass of wine and remember that special someone.
Good Night, Mrs. Calabash (wherever you are).
Regards,
Ken
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