Chad & Jeremy – A Summer Song
An evening pause: Performed live on American Bandstand on November 28, 1964, though the music is almost certainly lip synched.
Hat tip Diane Zimmerman.
Category: The Evening Pause
A nightly pause from the news to give the reader/viewer a bit of classic entertainment.
Clap Yo’ Hands – Fred Astaire & Kay Thompson
An evening pause: From the 1957 musical Funny Face. I only saw this film for the first time last week, and as I watched this scene I was most amused by Astaire’s dance moves in the second half of this number. “Why, Astaire is doing Gene Kelly!” I exclaimed to Diane.
Both men had their own styles. Kelly was into grand film presentations, acrobatics, and the soft shoe. Fred Astaire was into dance, in all its forms. If you are familiar with Kelly’s dance style you will see immediately how Astaire is parodying it, but with great respect.
Astaire’s partner in this number is Kay Thompson, in her only starring movie role. Thompson had an amazing artistic career, from writer (the Eloise children’s books) to vocal coach for Judy Garland and Gene Kelly to recording artist to night club performer. It is a shame we don’t have more films of her singing and dancing.
Susan Boyle – I Dreamed a Dream
An evening pause: This was her first appearance as a singer, on the television show Britain’s Got Talent, airing on April 11, 2009. It is a glorious TV moment. Much of it I think was planned, at least by the producers, though the judges and audience almost certainly had no idea what they were about to hear. Enjoy. Fun to watch over and over.
Hat tip James Street.
Rita Hayworth – Put The Blame On Mame
An evening pause: From the 1946 film, Gilda, which could be considered one of Hollywood’s first film noir classics. The song was sung by Anita Ellis for Hayworth.
Hat tip Judd Clark.
Katelyn Emerson – Dupré’s I Preludio: Allegro agitato
An evening pause: The organ is in Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Massachusetts.
Hat tip Alton Blevins.
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Something For Nothing
An evening pause: Performed live 2017.
Hat tip James Street.
Galapagos Islands – Blue footed Boobies dancing
An evening pause: Short but sweet, and somehow I think is perfect to begin summer.
Hat tip Judd Clark.
Yes – It Can Happen
An evening pause: Performed live 1984.
Hat tip Wayne DeVette.
Nini – OverMortal
An evening pause: The music appears to come from a video game, which this video heavily promotes. No matter. She performs it using both a classic Chinese instrument and a modern electric guitar, and the contrast is striking.
Hat tip Judd Clark.
Hothouse Flowers – I Can See Clearly Now
An evening pause: Performed live 1990.
Hat tip James Street.
Luca Stricagnoli – For A Few Dollars More
An evening pause: A magnificent cover of this classic Ennio Morricone film score. If you want to hear a compliation of all of Morricone’s western scores, go here.
For me however Morricone’s score for Cinema Paradiso remains my favorite.
Hat tip Mike Nelson.
Sylcom Light – Venetian glass artistry
An evening pause: The hand of man, creating wonders.
Hat tip Judd Clark.
Arthur Brown & Hamburg Blues Band – I Put A Spell On You
An evening pause: Performed live 2012. A most eccentric performance.
Hat tip Alec Gimarc, who notes about Brown, “Most notable for a 4-octave voice and performing with a lit device on his head at the time [1969]. … Impressed he is still alive.”
Al Stewart – Year Of The Cat
An evening pause: I posted a different performance of this song by Steward in 2015. The live version below, performed live in 2020, includes a fascinating intro that describes the roots of the song, as well as some spectacular guitar solos.
Hat tip Wayne DeVette.
Moonlight Sonata
An evening pause: I cannot confirm who the singer is, as he posts his name only in Japanese picture words. I also am not sure where the lyrics come from. Interesting though to hear someone sing this Beethoven music.
Hat tip Alton Blevins.
Anastasia Tyurina – Dance of the Goblins
An evening pause: Performed live 2023.
Hat tip Judd Clark.
Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
An evening pause: Performed live 1969 on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Hat tip Diane Zimmerman.
Hugh Laurie – St. James Infirmary
An evening pause: Hat tip Judd Clark.
Billy Joel – She’s Right On Time
An evening pause: Normally I hate official music videos. They are almost always boring and predictable adolescent stories that have little to do with the song. I always prefer the live performance, because then you see the artist at work.
This video is an exception, in that it doesn’t do what you expect, and is quite silly in the process.
Hat tip Mitch Masterfix.
Haley Reinhart – I Put a Spell on You
An evening pause: Performed live October 31, 2022.
Hat tip Judd Clark. I once again must ask for suggestions from my other readers. Judd Clark and Alton Blevins continue to send great stuff, but I really like to have as many people contributing as possible. If you have suggested before you know the rules. If not, state you have something you want to suggest in the comments below, but DON’T post a link to it.. I will email you to get it.