Wednesday When It Was Music & Movies ~ “To Sir With Love” ~ Lulu

Sidney Poitier… You will never be forgotten.

Your Class, Dignity, Elegance, Grace. You were the best of the best and one of my favorite actors. I cried all day hearing the news and watching all the homages.

“To Sir With Love”.

Longshot's Blog

The song still brings a warmth over me. It is as fabulous today as when it was first released in 1967.

Initially this song was recorded with The Mindbenders, who also acted in the film. It hit #1 on Billboard 100 for 5 consecutive weeks in the US and ended up earning the number one position for the entire year. In the UK it was never ever released for the hit it was in its own right, only remaining the B side to the 1967 No. 11 hit “Let’s Pretend”. US Release B side was “It’s Getting Harder All The Time” which was also in the movie.

I have watched this film at least 200 times in my life. It is among my top two favorites of Sidney Poitier, with the other being “A Patch Of Blue”.

Lulu’s voice couldn’t have gotten any better, it was picture perfect no pun…

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Mr. Joe Cool… My President.

 

There is a song for this picture in here somewhere. Lol

 

 

Joe Biden, Most votes in USA history of Presidential Elections.

As far as Titles: Senator, Vice President and now President. He will always be our Joe, calling him by his name is the biggest compliment we can pay him.

He is one of us.

Jan. 20th can’t come soon enough.

Joe Biden 2020

In Memory of Jan-Michael Vincent.

I am angered that it took them a month to report his passing. Feb. 10th.

He was no forgotten star in my eyes. News now entitling their articles “Heart Throb” of the 80’s dies. Got news for them, Jan was a Heart Throb from the 1960’s.

God what a fox.

 

First time I ever laid my eyes on him was in Danger Island, apart of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and I was hooked. My crush of jr. high (68′-70′), then when Tribes a TV film came out in 1970 and his hair got longer even more. As you can tell from the picture of him from that film above. I didn’t think I’d ever get over hating Earl Holliman. Lol

Basically watched every film after he was in through 1980. Other favorites:

Going Home with Robert Mitchum and Brenda Vaccaro
The Mechanic with Charles Bronson
Buster and Billie
Baby Blue Marine
Defiance

I remember catching an episode of Marcus Welby MD in the early 70’s, Jan played a teenage alcoholic, sadly in life what would ultimately lead to his demise later in life.

In 83′ I would watch The Winds of War that would hook him up again with Robert Mitchum.

By time Airwolf came on TV in 84′ and ended in 86′ I wasn’t ever home to watch it. Always admiring Ernie Borgnine and loving Jan I would have enjoyed it. I’ve never even seen it in reruns, if ever shown again I’ll make it a point to watch.

But early on he captured many hearts and long before the 80’s. It’s sad when somebody dies from my parents era of entertainment but when it come from mine own even more devastating. One by one whether musicians or actors, you realize you’re only still a hippie in mind, heart and yeah soul… but..

We are aging.

So with Jan’s death comes a sadness yet the memories he gave and left us with will always bring a smile. That good looking guy with the beautiful blue eyes to match the talent will fondly be missed and remembered.

His star didn’t fall, it burns brightly up in the Heaven’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully he has found the peace in Heaven that he could never seem to find here on earth.

Rest well Jan and enjoy Heaven.

 

 

 

Rep. Rashida Tlaib.. it is Me you owe an Apology to.

Unlike Trump’s base who will never say they are ever wrong for standing up for his vulgar demeanor towards women, people with disabilities, political opponents of both parties and even trashing the military career of a General Mattis. This 61 going on 62 yr-old Democrat woman found Tlaib’s behavior classless.

Those trying to make excuses for her are also equaling his base. We already know his comments of her words as disgraceful are a joke when he has been worse but must we stoop to his level?

I didn’t vote for her to act like a man I cannot stand who has shown in every realm how ignorant he is. Right now we have a government shut down because of it and the real ramifications of it haven’t even began to set off a light bulb in his empty head. It will though.

I expected more class and dignity from someone I voted for. I thought she was intelligent that would bring a freshness of new ideas and approaches. For her first noteworthy national words to be the ones she chose has brought me disgust.

Freak Flag Flying at half mast tonight. God Speed Marty Balin.

via Friday Freak Flag Flying ~ “Today” ~ Jefferson Airplane.

Fair winds and following seas. Senator John McCain. 1936-2018

May God Speed

My Dad also having served in the Navy in WWII knew the meaning all too well. May the journey be smooth and comfortable and no one deserves it more than a man who spent five and a half years as a POW.

He could have been released sooner after being captured, hell they wouldn’t even properly treat the wounds he sustained from the crash two broken arms, one broken leg let alone the ones they inflicted, stabbing him, until they found out he was an admiral’s son. Only then and only for the reasons to use him as a pawn but McCain wasn’t having it. He stated until all those who were held captive before him were released first he wasn’t going to go against the Code of Conduct.

Witch Hunt Over Trump, You’re Got!

Michael Cohen now willing to state Trump knew about the meeting with Russians in 2016.

Well this isn’t actually some great big new revelation as Trump himself stated this on June 7, 2016 that he would shorty be sharing some great information on Clinton in a speech a few days after this meeting on June 9th. Only It Never Came. Russian broad didn’t come through with the dirt. Of course he knew about the meeting, only now his precious former fixer will tell he knew putting it formally on the record. That’s the only breaking news here, we knew this two years ago. Trump himself said it. News media isn’t his enemy, he is his own worst enemy. He tells on himself.

 

Bobby Kennedy Funeral Train… One Woman Spoke For Us All Without Saying One Word.

Out of all the millions that lined the route from New York to Washington. It was this one woman that epitomized what all of us felt that day. The deep deep solemn sorrow. Her crying and reaching out in pain was all of us reaching out to the loss of Bobby and his whole family.

It didn’t get any more poignant than this. She spoke for the whole nation and those throughout the world who also mourned with us.

 

 

June 8, 1968. Train passing through Baltimore, MD.

 

 

 

 

I watched every single moment of that day. From the funeral service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NY, then this entire funeral train route into Washington, then finally into Arlington National Cemetery…

It was night when they laid Bobby to rest.

I went to bed that night at 11 years old and wondered why.

Fifty years later now at 61, I’m still asking it.

It is a pain that has never healed and I don’t think it ever will.

 

 

Bobby Kennedy… The Best President We Never Had.

 

“Now It’s On To Chicago And Let’s Win There” … 50 Years and Bobby Kennedy has never been so missed.

I can’t express my feelings of how I felt anymore than I did in a 2012 blog I wrote. But today 50 years to the day when this man was taken from us. It has been a more than a emotional week. It has been downright painful.

“Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.”

His wife Ethel and his children weren’t just robbed of a husband and dad, this whole country was robbed of one of the most educated, most experienced, gifted, talented politicians. We were most robbed of his compassion and for fighting for his convictions to help the most vulnerable people in society.

His fight for civil rights, the poor, his concern for the sick and the starving. A man who told his children pounding his fist on the dinner table “You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are” and you must do something.

On June 5, 1968 we didn’t just lose Bobby, we lost Hope.

And it has never been the same since. My hero then, now and forever until my demise. 50 years later I still sit as stunned as I did that night… and I have not yet still gotten over it.

11 then, 61 now and I will never forget that night and the next… and the days following.

Much Love Bobby, you will never be forgotten. You are in our hearts and soul.

Now It’s On To Chicago And Let’s Win There….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Biggest Heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was Bobby Loved….. you bet.

 

I could post another thousand and it would never be enough.

There will never be another politician or man again in anyone’s lifetime like Bobby Kennedy.

That Hope Was Lost, the Love for him continues…..

 

 

 

 

A Fired Roseanne Barr … I am not one of your “US” POS Trump.

He stated this praising the show, finally a show about us. And who are these US’s?

Bigots like you that want to take this country back to a time where it was OK to call blacks niggers, OK to deny them access to lunch counters or restaurants period. Like what happened to those two gentlemen that were put into handcuffs for waiting on a friend in Starbucks? When it was OK to hang, shoot and kill anyone who wasn’t pure lily white, like what was done last week when Border Patrol agent murdered a 20 year old Guatemala young woman by shooting her in the head. Then uttering at others apprehended see what happens to “YOU PEOPLE”

This POS sitting in the “WHITE” house has set the tone for these things to happen and more and more incidents since he’s been there. His so-called base now feel it is their right.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “The Peacocks” ~ Stan Getz presents Jimmie Rowles.

I never thought I’d ever say that Bill Evans could be out done but Jimmie Rowles does a masterful interpretation of this composition.

… and Getz… could play with anybody and make them sound 500% better. This pianist didn’t need any help.

 

 

The Peacocks

Composed by Bill Evans.
Recorded in 1975 and Released off the 1997 album Stan Getz presents Jimmie Rowles – Label: CBS in The Neverthands and Label: Columbia in the US. ‎

Jimmie Rowles – piano
Stan Getz – Sax

 

 

 

 

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Wine Dark Lullaby” ~ Neil Ardley/Ian Carr/Don Rendell

This whole album was an absolute stunning British Jazz work of art.

Pianist Neil Ardley directed the first half with an entire orchestra of musicians, a total of six songs.

Saxophonist Don Rendell played on three tracks of the albums 13 …. but when it came to this particular number with my love for Noir it was Ian Carr’s composition that infused the inner core of my brain.

A seducing walk down a dark alley or street either following or being followed not knowing the conclusion, but hoping it ends in the arms of a lover…. Brian Smith’s sexy sax takes it even further… of course you’d have to add a little drizzle or at least some mist.

I have no idea if Wine Dark Lullaby was ever used in any film noir considering it was released in 1970 and not its hey day of the 40’s and 50’s but man did it capture that era and mood. But many fit the bill and followed over the years… and if not somebody completely missed the boat here. This song as a theme or for just a scene would be to perfection.

From the album Greek Variations & Other Aegean Exercises…

… make it any fantasy you want.

 

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Freedom Vessel” ~ George Kahn.

George Kahn has kept west coast jazz alive and this the second time I’ve featured this talented artist, earlier in the year with a phenomenal rendition of Woodstock.

Born in New York he moved to California in the mid 1970s when he got hooked on John Coltrane. As with many like Dave Brubeck he studied classical when young and became a jazz natural. Love his sound and improvisational playing.

He wrote this song in dedication to Miles Davis.

 

President Elect Insanity Trump… “the millions of people who voted illegally,”

 

“In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally,”

twittly, twittly dum.

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally
3:30 PM – 27 Nov 2016

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

It would have been much easier for me to win the so-called popular vote than the Electoral College in that I would only campaign in 3 or 4–
3:34 PM – 27 Nov 2016

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

states instead of the 15 states that I visited. I would have won even more easily and convincingly (but smaller states are forgotten)!
3:41 PM – 27 Nov 2016

 

My God, is this really what kind of President the United States of America needs?

More proof of how mentally unstable he is. Donald Trump will never be right in the head and he certainly will never be a representative of what a president is or stands for. Leadership.

Again I look to the Electoral College and ask them to cast their votes on Dec. 19th for Hillary Clinton. She may not be a saint but at least she is SANE!’

 

Trump Claims, With No Evidence, That ‘Millions of People’ Voted Illegally

He won and is still crying and going twittering mad. This is a  not a President, this is a Crazy Person.

The USA doesn’t need these appointments either to take us back to the darkest hour in time of this country.

 

 

Leon Russell…. And when my life is over.

 

When I listened to this song today I literally cried.

And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you

Another gem from the Woodstock Generation lost.

God what a grand time it was, so much overflowing talent from every aspect of the world. From Ravi Shankar’s India, UK, USA and in-between. Leon was an instrumental part and force of that musical equation, his song writing impeccable.

When George Benson’s rendition of his very first charted single “This Masquerade” came out, how many knew that Leon wrote it outside of us old hippies. Ironically as written it fit in with Sinatra, not rock. That was Leon’s magic.

The 1970 self titled album that gave us “A Song For You”, “Tight Rope” and “Delta Lady” would put Leon on the map and he never looked back. When he hooked up with Joe Cocker for Mad Dogs and Englishmen a blistering masterpiece of rock, soul and blues was accomplished. No one ever heard a better rendition of “Cry Me A River” done rock and blues style.

Leon Russell’s stage presence went along with the era when the music that came out of it was razor blade sharp precision of lyrical and musical magic. Not only could he write, play and sing he presented it with class until the end.

We lost two legends of the music world this last week. Leonard Cohen was another song writing genius, but I only have so much in me to write the obits. It gets beyond depressing and the fact that an actor of one of my favorites shows growing up “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” also passed, Robert Vaughan I hope this completes this entertainment saying they go in three’s.

My first crush at 9 years old in 1966 was in-fact David McCallum who played Illya Kuryakin. So, so much of my youth and adolescence was lost this week. Thank God the musical legacy will always live on.

Thank You Leon and Leonard C. even though we are sad feeling your loss, I know Heaven is having a grand jam tonight.

 

 

Sunday Sleep In ~ “City Streets” ~ Lisa Hilton.

 

One of those artists that when you go through her catalog of music you say to yourself which one do I post. Starting from the almost classical to the contemporary and every bop of jazz, then those very talented fingers dip into the realm of blues. Melodic and tantalizing.

Hilton has produced 19 albums, solo and with the best of players of the art with a soon to be released 20th due in December. Whether she is doing her own compositions as with City Streets or her covers of the jazz greats to including from those that the 1960’s invoked with folk and rockers like Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin also on this album are at times mesmerizing.

But for tonight this one caught my ears and soul and said…. yeah.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Singing Everyday” ~ Matthew Halsall.

The album “On The Go” was originally released in 2011, but a Remaster was done adding three previously unreleased gems to the mix, Singing Everyday being one of them. So on May 20th, 2016 “On The Go (Special Edition)” was released.

I literally didn’t know which one to feature, all of them brilliantly done. I always go for the gentle flow for the Sunday sleep in’s but there will be much more to follow.

This British trumpeter and composer since his start has managed to capture the depths of the 1950s & 60s with everything we seek from the genre we love called Jazz. But in doing so has put his own refreshing touch and tone to it on every single piece he produces.

From 2008-16 he has released 7 albums with 2 Singles/EP. I encourage you to taste them all. One in particular will captivate your mind, because it highlights a place you’ve never been before unless born in that time period. “End of Dukkha” will have you in that jazz bar out of the past. This band makes sure of it and it is the biggest compliment I can give to them.

Halsall brings it all back to life and keeps it here.

 

Thank You President Obama ~ 9-11 Never Forget.

New York – Washington, D.C. – Pennsylvania – NYPD – FDNY – NY Port Authority – Americans of every age, race, nationality and religion. We Remain Free ~ ~ ~ In God We Trust.

 

 

You have served us well and if those that celebrated that night yet now call you the worst president they are Hypocrites.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Petite Fleur” ~ Archie Shepp Quartet.

A musician turns into a legend when they can play and everybody knows who they are hearing. They put a signature on their sound so when you hear this man there’s never a question of who. Archie Shepp let’s you know exactly.

I’ve heard many renditions of this Sidney Bechet gem. Victor Goines comes to mind as another fantastic.

Here we have George Mraz’s bass and Billy Drummond’s drums sultry intro with Harold Mabern’s piano further enhancing Shepp’s sax. All the musicians just compliment each other, your ears, soul and heart basically say yeah…. you’ll never forget or need to ever search the piece again, at least not this particular arrangement.

 

Sunday Sleep In ~ “The Song That Lives Inside” ~ Seamus Blake Quintet.

 

One of Canada’s best players and composers from the last 23 years, this from his 8th album.

On this ballad he managed to capture the mood straight out of a 1950’s jazz after hours club.

Order yourself a drink, close your eyes and lay back…
you’re there.

 

Trump Train Wreck.

Donald Trump Desecrates Purple Heart.

“I Always Wanted to Get the Purple Heart. “This Was Much Easier.”

A slap in the face of every veteran who was wounded and died in combat.

 

During Vietnam when soldiers were throwing their medals away, they were called traitors. Only the draft dodgers who went to Canada were ostracized while those that legally hid out in that other draft dodging place called “college” with deferments got a free pass.

What possessed anyone to hand this deranged “Affluenza” man their purple heart when he dodged serving is beyond me but the video below say’s it all.

From Veteran Will Fisher.

Purple Hearts Equal Bad Days

 

 

Yeah, it sure was easier you piece of shit.

 

Sunday Sleep In ~ Melanholija ~ Fish In Oil.

 

Ahhhhh….another exquisitely composed work and more importantly could be in any film score, notably crime noir.

The bass sets the seductive pulse from the get go.

Once again Radovanović’s guitar goes totally into the psyche of Hendrix after the 8:30 mark when it slowly begins to cook and then depicts into the manic hallucination stage of Melancholy. Although Petrović’s sax is always dripping in sex making this a hard one to be sad at the beginning, he also transitions as nicely into the chaos.

The drumming and percussion explicitly throughout defining the different stages. All of the bands members completes this titles musically descriptive piece.

Not the first time or the last featuring this band. I really wish somebody in film somewhere in this world would find these guys or isn’t anybody writing scripts anymore worthy of the noir Fish In Oil creates so tastefully. Their music always sends my mind into an imaginary place I make up with the scenes and those acting them out.

If Brexit Has Taught Us Anything…

 

This is what all four of my grandparents saw upon arriving here in the early 1900’s. This is what America has always been about.

Let that never change.

 

Gordie Howe In Remembrance… Sadness and Celebration.

 

Tears flooded out of my eyes just months ago on March 28th watching and hearing 20k+ singing happy birthday to this legend at the Joe. What a moment…even Mickey Redmond choking up.

Ciamillo Heating & Cooling a Living Nightmare.

The only reason I used the place is because of being a fellow Italian thinking I wouldn’t get screwed, what a gigantic delusion on my part.

What took place in my home was a crime but a stopped check also halted the robbery that took place until a Warren, Mi. Judge 5 months later handed the crooks right back the money without knowing and the sad part not wanting to know the actual facts that had occurred. Our wonderful juridical system.

Well the facts are going to be told detail by detail and an honest review of this company and the horrid experience they put not only me but an 85-year-old woman through.

Sorry Michael Chupa you don’t get to have the last say. You are a coward.

All calls placed concerning Camillo Heating & Cooling were documented incoming and outgoing, and the duration of calls. They were printed from Vonage Account.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Magnolia Triangle” ~ Stanton Moore Trio.

What an exceptional job by three stellar players on this James Black composition.

All you have to do to get the full picture in audio is look on bassist James Singleton face. This artist feels what he plays and expresses it to the max.

David Torkanowsky piano comes to life equaling Stanton Moore’s energy.

Easter Sunday. Have a Blessed and Peaceful Day.

 

Live Streaming (at time of posting) of the Holy Mass of Easter Day in Rome by Pope Francis.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “I Can’t Believe in Spring” Davide Petrocca & Olaf Polziehn.

Italian bassist and German pianist creating magic…

 

 

 

I Can’t Believe in Spring
Composed by Davide Petrocca.
Recorded live at Theaterhaus Jazztage Stuttgart, Germany 2014.