Spike Jones – Tchaikovsky Medley
An evening pause: A bit of classic American silliness to herald in the weekend. Aired live June 7, 1952.
Hat tip Tom Biggar.
Tag: music
Rush – The Trees
Nena – 99 Luftballons
An evening pause: This pretty 1983 German pop song so perfectly predicts the Biden administration’s silly overreaction to the Chinese spy balloons last month, and the really dangerous consequences that could have resulted.
The lyrics of the original German version tell a story: 99 balloons are mistaken for UFOs, causing a military General Officer to send pilots to investigate. Finding nothing but balloons, the pilots put on a large show of fire power. The display of force worries the nations along the borders and the war ministers on each side encourage conflict to grab power for themselves. In the end, a cataclysmic war results from the otherwise harmless flight of balloons and causes devastation on all sides without a victor.
Hat tip Jay, who is still off in the tropics doing ham radio stuff.
Betsy Palmer, Robert Goulet, & Bess Myerson – “I’ve got a secret”
An evening pause: A slightly different pause tonight from a 1964 episode of the quiz show “I’ve got a secret.” Can you guess where the dialogue comes from that they perform at the opening of this segment, before they tell you? Also keep watching for a more accurate rendition, all done in a bit of silly good-natured fun.
Hat tip Diane Zimmerman, who recognized it instantly.
Phil Cunningham – Overture/The Farther Shore
Ashley McBryde – Four songs
An evening pause: Performed live March 2023. The songs: Light on in the kitchen, and small selections from Strawberry wine, Neon Moon, and Wide Open Spaces.
Hat tip Alton Blevins.
Mary Travers & The Kingston Trio – Where Have All The Flowers Gone
An evening pause: Performed live 1982, when lefties still believed in freedom and peace and the immutable importance of each individual soul. Somehow seems appropriate on the ides of March.
Hat tip Tom Biggar.
Sade – No Ordinary Love
Antonio Breschi & Ronnie Drew – Irlanda
An evening pause: Keith Donald is on the sax. Breschi, on the piano, has written other magnificent music. If you can find a copy of his “Language of the Land,” get it. I had posted it as an evening pause, but that video is no longer available on youtube.
The Doors – Love Me Two Times
An evening pause: Performed live 1968.
Hat tip Judd Clark, who notes, “Nice piece of poetry at the beginning.”
Weird Al Yankovic – Smells Like Nirvana
An evening pause: Seems to me, this expresses perfectly the level of thoughtfulness seen in many hard rock music videos, only it does it more honestly.
Hat tip Gene Shipp.
Donna Summer – I feel love
Roy Orbison – Blue Bayou
Eartha Kitt – Think I’m Being Had
An evening pause: Performed live on the Dick Cavett Show, 1969. The second half of the clip is Cavett interviewing her about her autobiography Thursday’s Child.
Hat tip Gene Shipp.
Srna Kocevska & Alexandra Gjoreska – the Charleston
An evening pause: The dance says the 1920s. It is also amazing how many different moves they do, yet every move belongs to this same dance.
Hat tip Tom Biggar.
Stevie Nicks – Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
AJR – Making of Bang!/Bang!
Ten Years After – I`m going home
Eva Cassidy – Autumn Leaves
Kathleen Battle – Voices of Spring
An evening pause: By Strauss, conducted by Herbert von Karajan, performed live 1987.
Hat tip Judd Clark.
The Allman Brothers Band – Jessica
Los Lobos – Don’t Worry Baby
Bruce Hornsby & The Range – The Way It Is
An evening pause: Performed live 1990. He really tickles those ivories with joy.
Hat tip Diane Zimmerman.
Tanya Tucker – Two Sparrows In A Hurricane
OTTA-Orchestra – Royal Safary
Kylie Minogue & Paul McCartney – Dance Tonight
An evening pause: Performed live on New Year’s Eve, 2007. They are having so much fun!
Hat tip Alton Blevins.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – I Love Rock’n’Roll
Dionne Warwick – I Say A Little Prayer
Midori- Variations on “The Last Rose of Summer” by Ernst
An evening pause: Performed live 1990, four days before her 19th birthday. As every single commenter at the youtube page correctly notes, this is an incredibly difficult piece. “Many great violinists won’t play this in public, or even record it.” Just watch and see. If you admire great guitar players, you will be astounded by some of the moves she performs.
Hat tip Judd Clark.