Let
me say up front that I (Lara) am not a musician, nor do I claim to be a music
expert. I don't even know a lot of the lingo! I am an eager student,
though, and I can tell you that while listening to Jumaane Smith's new
cd, "I Only Have Eyes For You," while driving through Coldwater Canyon
in Los Angeles on a sweltering day in May, I felt my heart soar. Being a
huge fan of The Great American Songbook, it's really cool to see a
talented young artist embrace this music and help bring it to a new
generation.
You may know Jumaane as Michael Buble's trumpet player, but this album should definitely help
launch him to a place where he is known in his own right. "I Only Have
Eyes For You" actually made me really dig the trumpet; Jumaane's playing
seems to capture the feel and intensity of hearing a great trumpeter
live in concert. I swear, his trumpet was singing, hitting the notes
that a vocalist would and really making me hear classics like the title
track, "The Way You Look Tonight," and "Yesterday" (you know, that little hit by The Beatles!) with
fresh ears.
Jumaane also has quite a nice voice; maybe at his
shows he could sing along with a hologram of himself playing trumpet? I
think it was a great move to invite the aforementioned Mr. Buble,
Naturally 7, and Jackie Evancho to sing on "Come Rain or Come Shine," "I
Only Have Eyes For You," and "La Vie En Rose," respectively, and it was
nice to hear their familiar voices. "La Vie En Rose" is my favorite
song on the album, and I definitely heard the angels sing and went to
the place where roses bloom as Jumaane's trumpet and the vocals captured
the exquisite longing in the Edith Piaf tune. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the recording of "La Vie En Rose!"
Grab Jumaane
Smith's new cd, and then tell all of your friends about it; it's fun to
feel like you have discovered a new artist, and you will look like a
musical genius when his career explodes. "I Only Have Eyes For You" is
the perfect cd to put on when you need to calm down in traffic, relax
after a crazy busy day, or when you are setting the mood for a special
night with wine, cheese, and candles. Jumaane is definitely an artist to
keep your eyes on!
You can hear Standards 24/7 on
www.MartiniInTheMorning.com, and catch me playing them Saturdays and
Sundays from 10a-2p Pacific Time.
This
past week in Southern California has been unreal, with brilliant sunshine and
temps of 100 degrees! It got me (Lara) wanting to hear uptempo songs that make
my heart take flight, and I hope that these tunes make you feel the same way as
you look forward to some bright and wonderful days, whether you’re headed to
the beach right now with your suntan lotion and a copy of Us Weekly, or still
wearing UGG boots and earmuffs in a chilly part of the planet.
And btw…these songs
are timeless (whether they are vintage or simply vintage inspired), so they
won’t go out of style, unlike the monokini. Enjoy!
1.
“Ain't That A Kick In The Head”—Dean Martin
You
may have seen/heard Dino performing this in Ocean’s Eleven (the original with
Sinatra, not the Clooney version), and been charmed by his effortless swagger. Not
to mention his perfect head of thick, dark hair. “Like a sailor said, quote, Ain’t
that a hole in a boat?” After watching this on YouTube, google his Vegas medley
and hear one of my favorite Dino moments: After performing for about nine
seconds, he says, “How long have I been on?”
2.
“The Lady Is A Tramp”—Cast of Glee
Originally
introduced in the 1937 Rogers and Hart musical Babes in Arms, the cast of Glee
updated it for a new generation and made us fall in love with the song all over
again. I love how this version features a guy and girl singing together, and
even though the lyrics have never quite made sense to me (“I love the theatre,
but never come late”—if you love the theatre, WOULDN’T you arrive on time?!),
we swoon all the same when we hear it.
3.
“So Nice (Summer Samba)”—Astrud Gilberto
Cool
ocean breezes, salty air, lazy afternoons, and balmy nights…those are all right
here in Astrud’s sultry vocals, much like in another one of her hits, “The Girl
From Ipanema.” The Brazilian Bossa Nova legend’s version of “So Nice” is one of
the most well-known, although it’s been covered by something like 180 artists
over the years, including Baby Spice (Emma Bunton) of the Spice Girls!
Swinging with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
4.
“Go Daddy-O”—Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
They
stole our hearts in 1996’s Swingers, and I think they were hugely responsible
for all the big bands that have popped up and the general swing revival. Plus,
how do you not love a band of 55 men (I might be exaggerating a teensy bit)
that play while wearing sharp suits and hats? They were even decked out like
this when I saw them rock a huge crowd in the parking lot at Staples Center in
Downtown Los Angeles before a Los Angeles Lakers game on a sweltering
afternoon. Plan your life around catching one of their live shows.
5.
“Take The A Train”—Nikki Yanofsky
You
may have heard Nikki (who is beautiful and looks a bit like Selena Gomez, I
think) singing the Canadian National Anthem at the opening of the 2010 Winter
Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. If you listen to one of my stations, www.MartiniInTheMorning.com,
you know we have been fans of hers for years now. Nikki is all of 19, but has
the voice and soul of someone much older. She absolutely tears up this song,
which was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra.
6.
“Come Fly With Me”—Frank Sinatra
Remember
the days when flying was something glamorous that people got really excited
about and dressed up for? Me, neither, but I hear that really did used to
happen, and in this song (with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy
Cahn) Frank makes me want to pack a bag and brave LAX en route to a cuckoo
weekend in Acapulco. Or Bombay. Or wherever the jet is headed. Wheels up!
Brigitte Zarie
7.
“I Love Las Vegas”—Brigitte Zarie
Brigitte
says she was inspired to do this song after hearing her sister tell tales of
her trip to Sin City, and when we listen we are ready to book a room at the
Bellagio, stat. Giving shout outs to lights, blackjack tables, glamour, Elvis,
the Strip, private jets, and more, it’s a joyous celebration of one of my
favorite cities. Although it makes me want to celebrate in the pool, because
Vegas in the summer is fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot.
8.
“Haven’t Met You Yet”—Michael Buble
This song is so hopeful (love when the horns
start blaring) and happy, and even though in the song Michael is singing about
how he has not met that special someone yet…he met his real-life wife, Luisana
Lopilato, when she appeared in the video for the song. And this summer, they
will welcome a Baby Buble!
9. “Swing Swing Swing”—Keely Smith
I didn’t know that much about Keely Smith, and
then I was invited to a musical at the Geffen Playhouse called Louis &
Keely Live At The Sahara, which fabulously detailed the careers and tumultuous
relationship of Louis Prima (“Just A Gigolo”) and Keely Smith. Plus, I realized
that Keely rocked an amazing Louise Brooks-style bob. To me, this song still
sounds so fresh and modern and full of life. When you hear it, you will
understand why Louis Armstrong once said, “If you can’t feel swing, you’ll
never know it.” I feel it, Louis…everywhere!
10. “Zoot Suit Riot”—Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
This
song was such a huge hit when it came out in 1997 that Top 40 radio started
playing it. The station I was working for at the time invited the band to be
part of a show that included dance acts and Def Leppard, so you can imaging the
audience going, “What is this?” when the Daddies strutted out in their high-waisted,
wide-legged, tight-cuffed, pegged trousers, and long coats with the wide lapels
and wide padded shoulders (otherwise knows as “zoot suits.”) However, they won
the crowd over pretty much the moment the lead singer started riffing the, “ZaZu
Za Zazu” gibberish part of the song. This is a great one to put on when you
need to find some energy for a night out!
And a bonus song…
11. “Summer Wind”—Frank Sinatra
This is not an uptempo tune; in fact, Frank is singing about
losing his love after a fleeting romance. But Johnny Mercer’s lyrics so
beautifully capture the feeling of a seasonal affair that makes the sky look
bluer and the world so much brighter that it is required listening as we head
into summer. The passion and longing I hear about to burst forth in Frank’s
voice is enough to make you want to run hand in hand across the warm sand with
someone who makes your head spin, even though you know they will only be a
memory by the time the leaves start to fall from the trees in the autumn wind.
Sometimes, you
just need a cathartic, mascara-streaming-down-your-face, ugly cry. And
sometimes, that moment comes on Valentine’s Day, which one of my friends refers
to as S.A.D. (Singles Awareness Day). Whether it is a love that does not know
you exist, a love who does know but does not care, or a love that once was but
now can never be (translation: you were dumped), may these ten tunes about
heartbreak, loneliness, and revenge cleanse your soul and start you on the path
to healing. And may next Valentine’s Day find you singing L.O.V.E.! xxoo
A quick note: I
have chosen some of my favorite versions of these songs, but they are classics
and have been done brilliantly by many different singers over the years.
1. “One For My Baby” – Frank Sinatra
Fred Astaire
introduced this Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer song in the 1943 film The Sky’s The
Limit, but it is Frank’s version that most people think of when they hear the
title.Can’t you just picture him
in some dingy little joint, tie askew, hat tilted to the side, stubble on his
chin, clinking glasses with the bartender for the ninth time that night as he
pours his heart out? I hear this song and want to be held as I reach for some
whiskey to drink along with him.
Shameless Plug:
I am hosting a new love songs show on www.MartiniInTheMorning.com called One For My Baby! It premieres on
2/14 just after 6p PST, and then moves to its regular night and time of Sundays
6-9p PST.
2. “I Wanna Be Around” – Tony Bennett
When you have
been dumped, this would be the song to play down the phone as you call your ex
at 3 a.m. to let them know that you wanna be around when they get their heart
stomped into a million pieces. The best revenge really is looking fabulous and
having a hit song, isn’t it? Johnny Mercer received the idea for the song and
the opening line in the mail from a grandmother/housewife/beautician (depending
on who you ask) who was inspired by Sinatra leaving his wife for Ava Gardner,
and then Ava leaving Frank.
3. “In The Wee Small Hours” – Carly Simon
To paraphrase
Ernest Hemingway, it is a lot easier to be hard-boiled about things in the
daylight. But in the wee small hours of the morning it is a different story, as
you long for the one you love while clutching the phone to your chest, willing
it to ring (or even just buzz with a text). Is there a happy reunion? People have wondered about that
since Sinatra sang the song in 1955; the lyrics don’t give us any clues, and we
are left with the loneliest early morning mood of all time, made especially
poignant by the emotion in Carly’s voice.
4. “You Don’t Know Me” – Ray Charles If you have ever
felt invisible to your crush, this song is for you, as the woman Ray is
crooning about is completely oblivious to the fact that he is smitten with her.
He has an encounter with her and her man where Ray takes her hand for a moment,
heart just about beating out of his chest, and thinks, I dream of you at night
and long to kiss your lips. And she is perhaps thinking something like, this
guy is staring at me a little too long and squeezing my hand a little too hard.
So she walks away with her guy as Ray watches with an aching heart, the chorus
in his head singing, “You don’t love me, you don’t know me.” 5. “These Foolish Things” – Michael Buble If you have ever
lost a love, you know how the scent of their cologne or the opening notes of
your song can instantly take you back to the time you were together. In these heartbreaking lyrics, it is
everything from a cigarette that bears a lipstick’s traces to a fairground’s
painted swings that reminds Mr. Buble of what he has lost. There is a line that
says, “Oh, how the ghost of you clings,” and while I do think this song is
about a woman who simply left and moved on to someone new, when I really need a
good cry I pretend that “ghost” is meant literally and that there is no chance
for an earthly reunion. Unless perhaps Whoopi Goldberg shows up.
6. “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” – Natalie
Cole
Don’t feel bad
about staying home alone on Valentine’s Day, or even every weekend. Natalie
missed the Saturday Dance, even though she tried to go and got as far as the
door—it was the thought of everyone asking about her ex that (I’m guessing) had
her making a beeline for her couch with some ice cream and a few episodes of
Downtown Abbey. I have heard that it can take up to two years for every one
year you were together to completely get over a breakup, so don’t be surprised
if you skip quite a few Saturday Dances as you try not to stir up old memories.
7. “But Not For Me” – Elton John
This song is
such a perfect example of the genius that was (and continues to be, because
their songs are timeless) The Gershwins, with music by George and lyrics by
Ira. “But Not For Me” was introduced by the lovely Ginger Rogers (who was
married and divorced five times, so she knew a little something about heartbreak)
in the 1930 musical Girl Crazy. If you have been feeling like love songs were
meant for other people, lucky stars are only lucky for other people, and every
other person you see is tying the knot (but there is no knot for you), this is
for you. And Elton, who made us all cry in the 80s with some of his fashion
choices and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues,” has such a wistful
tone that you want love to find a way and all of his dreams to come true.
8. “Stormy Weather” – Lena Horne
The lyrics of
this song remind me of living in the Pacific Northwest in the month of
February; it has been gray and drizzly for months at that point, and will
continue to be gray and drizzly for a few more months, and you are weary (so
weary!) from the gloom and the pitter, patter, and spatter of raindrops. When
you feel that you can’t go on, because everything you had is gone, Lena’s
gorgeous song will add a little company to your misery and perhaps give your
heavy heart a lift. And if you actually do live in the Northwest, you can look
forward to some sunny and bright days in August.
9. “After You’ve Gone” – Bobby Darin
First recorded
in 1918 by Marion Harris, “After You’ve Gone” has stood the test of time and
been recorded by about a bazillion other singers because the someday-you’ll-regret-leaving-me
message never, ever gets old. And many times is true, as the dumper didn’t know
what they had ‘til they dumped it. But until that day when your ex returns to
you in tears, disheveled from nights of weeping over what they threw away and
begging for a second chance, which you may or may not give them, gather
strength from this song and the knowledge that you were the best thing that
ever happened to them.
10. “Body And Soul” – Tony Bennett and Amy
Winehouse
“Body And Soul”
is the most recorded jazz standard to date, boasting Louis Armstrong as the
first jazz musician to record it. This version with Tony and Amy (from his Duets
II cd) is especially poignant, as it was the final recording Amy made before
her death in 2011. The lyrics speak of being sad, lonely, and full of sighs
while offering yourself up on a platter to someone who is turning you down.
Although the narrator/singer’s life is a wreck, there is hope that one day they
will get a chance to surrender themselves, body and soul, to the oblivious one.
And then perhaps dump them.
