DK not from NY

If you've been following this blog, you'd know by now that I am quite the Jazz enthusiast... which has resulted in possibly the most represented genre on this blog. 

I've been a bit infrequent on the blog over the past few weeks due to time constraints...  but when I saw one of my favorite Jazz Singers on the #MusicalBirthday list today, I couldn't resist the Temptation (included in JAZZ IT UP.... International Jazz Day)

Diana Krall, the Canadian singer (with beautiful contralto vocals) and pianist is among the leading jazz artistes of today. Recognized by Billboard magazine as the #2 Jazz artist for the decade 2000 - 2009, Diana has teamed up with hubby Elvis Costello and country superstar Willie Nelson on this version of Crazy.

Diana Krall has appeared in Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... - and performed with the legendary Tony Bennett with whom she's toured. Included a song by this lovely jazzy duet in my post celebrating Tony's 90th birthday - The Best Is Yet To Come. Right now - I've Got The World On A String.

Got very few words to describe her lovely music - she possibly can do it better than I could - in the words of Gershwin - S' Wonderful.

That's all the words I have today for you... but here are a couple of my favorite songs (that I love to sing myself as well) in the delightful voice of Diana Krall.

Just The Way You Are

Besame Moucho

Christmas is a little over a month away. In a few days time, we'll be saying Christmas Time Is Here.

Hope you enjoyed that music. Will be back with more soon.

The Best Is Yet to Come

I've been assigned to organize a party this weekend - an 80th birthday party. And my Musical Calendar notified me that today is a special day for the music world - a living legend in the world of music has reached a personal milestone - celebrating 90 years today. 

Tony  Bennett (90)

Tony Bennett started singing for money at age 13 as a singing waiter but really started professionally in the late 1940's after serving in the Army during World War 2. In his career spanning nearly 70 years, he's released over 70 albums. His biggest single of all time and his first Grammy award in 1963 was for I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

A king of collaborations, most of the songs I've featured here are recorded in his Duet collections and you will see the spectrum of the songs he's sung - from Jazz Standards to Pop Hits - songs written by him and songs composed by others. And Tony's 90th birthday is going to be celebrated singing with his dear friends some of whom are featured below - 9 songs for his 90 years. I'm happy to say that I myself have sung many of these songs at competitions as well as performances at birthdays and celebrations where I have entertained. Some great music is available right here for your entertainment. Just plug in your speakers and ENJOY...

1. Rags to Riches: This song was originally recorded by Tony Bennett with Percy Faith and his orchestra in 1953. He's here with Elton John

2. New York State of Mind: Tony Bennett has lived most of his life in New York. Just listening to him and Billy Joel took me back to August of 2008 when I visited The Big Apple with the family. 

3. The Lady Is A Tramp: The New York song that has had a special place for me was by Frank Sinatra (New York New York), who is also attributed with a great version of this song performed by Tony Bennett with Lady Gaga.

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga were on tour just last year did an entire series of duet together in the Cheek to Cheek album. If you've been following this blog, their duets have been included on two other posts - American Standard 101 and Their Playing His (Cole Porter) Songs.

4. La Vie En Rose: This song is a repeat on this blog as well, performed earlier by Louis Armstrong in La Fête Nationale on French National Day. This duet is with Canadian singer K D Lang.

5. Don't Get Around Much Anymore: Another Canadian collaboration with the popular Michael Bublé. It's not about Tony Bennett. Even at 90, he gets around quite a bit, possibly likely to even tour this year. 

6. On The Sunny Side Of The Street: Going from Canada to the American Country. Tony Bennett has paired up with another legend - Willie Nelson (7 years his junior) on this fantastic rendition. I love this song and is part of my Jazz set in a medley with Pennies from Heaven. 

8. For Once In My Life: 90 years is a long journey, and Tony Bennett has reached out to two (or maybe three generations) with his genre of Traditional Pop Music. He's not just a great singer but a known artist too. He'll be looking back at his whole life and cherish his wonderful years of music. Singing the Stevie Wonder classic alongwith Marc Anthony.

9. The Best Is Yet To Come: He maybe 90 years old, but he promises us that there is lots more. Singing this song with Diana Krall - another great Canadian performer. 

Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come - That's what the 90th Birthday collection featuring  Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and others. The show is to be aired on December 20th on NBC is titled. 

“This is a day I’ll never forget as long as I live. To be treated this way at 90 years old, I feel like I’m 19 years old. It’s a wonderful treat. It’s one of the very special things in my whole life,”  

They're Playing His Songs...

A few days ago, Going Places had a list of songs about cities... But there is this one song about the 'City of Love' that stands the test of all time... I Love Paris.

Everybody loves Paris, and every jazz singer and musician love the composer and lyricist who has written the song and many many others. Cole Porter - who was born today in 1891 (125 years ago) was a truly amazing songwriter having composed more than 1200 songs for the stage and screen. Most active from the 20s to the 50s, his songs have been sung by singers of all generations. Frank Sinatra above sang many of his songs... and Ella Fitzgerald sang his entire songbook in the 50s. Staying with the Francais, C'est Magnifique.

The 70s and 80s saw Cole Porter transcend across music genres - including Country and Spanish Pop...

Country Singer Crystal Gayle's version of It's Alright With Me was adapted to a jingle for Eastern Airlines.

Spanish singer (and footballer) Julio Iglesias had a popular version of Begin The Beguine.

In 2004, coinciding with 40 years of his death, saw the release of a biopic entitled De-Lovely, based on Cole Porter's life and career. The film starring Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd has a wide collection of Cole Porter's music - including the title song It's De-Lovely performed by Robbie Williams.

Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love - an interesting list of people, birds, insects and animals that fall in love - was sung on the soundtrack by 'Ironic' Alanis Morissette.

Cole Porter will never go old... the list of people who've covered his songs include the flamboyant Lady Gaga who pairs up with the ageless Tony Bennett for Anything Goes.

Anything Jazz would be incomplete without a mention of the modern King of Swing Michael Buble, here with I've Got You Under My Skin.

I'm sure you've heard most of these songs... but not known the connection. Do tell me how you like my blog... and feel free to add your suggestions.  

American Standard 101

What is American Standard?

For most people it may be this... the American bathroom products company. For others it may be about procedures and policy, or ever weights and measures. But for the musically oriented... the term refers to the most popular and influential popular and Jazz songs of the early 20th century... songs that make up the 'Great American Songbook'... that have been sung by some great singers including the English (Robbie Williams) and the Scottish (Rod Stewart). 

And among the many contributors to this collection is a great composer and lyricist who lived to be a hundred and one - Irving Berlin - who is regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. So great is his contribution to the music of America that the U.S. Postal Service has honored him with a postal stamp on his 125th birth anniversary.

To celebrate this great songwriter, I just thought I'd share some of my favorites written by him performed by artistes from his time.... till now. 

Come on and hear.... Alexander's Ragtime Band

Remember someone singing that catchy song at a singing competition a long time ago.
The songs by Irving Berlin have stood the test of time... and won a Grammy... as recently as 2015 for Lady Gaga... not alone but dancing Cheek to Cheek... with the soon-to-be 90 Tony Bennett. 

And as some of us prepare to go off to bed, we may be possibly counting sheep to help us get sleep... But Irving Berlin's song sung here by Diana Krall advises us to Count Your Blessings (instead of sheep).

Good night... Tomorrow is just a few hours away... and a special day... 

Love in the Movies

Raj and Simran celebrated 20 years last week....the 20th Anniversary of the release of DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge). And a true celebration it was as SRK and Kajol are currently together on Rohit Shetty's 'Dilwale'.

DDLJ was the most successful romantic flick of the 1990s. And it was not just Bollywood that was smitten by romance. Love, Romance and Marriage was all over Hollywood as well.

One particular 'pretty woman' of Hollywood was seen in not one but three romance movies in as many years. In 1997, she was in "My Best Friend's Wedding" and a lovely maid of honor proposing a tear-jerking toast.

She returned in 1999 with not one but two romantic movies released in a space of two months - "Notting Hill" with Hugh Grant and "Runaway Bride" back again with Richard Gere. 

Happy Birthday to Julia Roberts. And for all of you looking for the perfect match, remember "You Can't Hurry Love"

Share your favorite movie about Love and Marriage.... comment below.

If you've found your love and planning a wedding, 

Sunil Pinto - Master of Ceremonies (Compere), Mumbai (Bombay)

https://www.facebook.com/sunilpintoentertains