Crooner Culture

Okay, this is really cool – I haven’t seen him being so silly like this on any talk show (day or night) before, and maybe it’s because I’m in the US and the FCC is a bunch of haughty high and mighties. I love how he talks about the nachos and underwear, but even more than that I love the challenge he gets from Jack Black.
Apparently Mike once killed a bunny (quite sure it was an accident, folks) and once received a teddy bear from a raging fan that he gave to one of his producer’s kids, and when she …read more

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Fall Out Boy Feat. John Mayer – ‘Beat It’ Music Video Review | Michael Jackson Cover – I had no idea this existed, but you know what? I kinda like it. Eep!
Yay! Meat’s coming back out of retirement! Sorry, I know this isn’t “crooner” related but I totally love Meat Loaf. Yes, yes I do. Just don’t ever ask me to sing “Paradise” with you at a karaoke bar because lemme jus’ tellya… the way I sing that song… man, it’s so… whew! Let’s just say the passion in my voice, the strength in my passion, oh, you’ll pretend like …read more

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Okay, so I realized that I’ve written a few “Did You Know? 5 Facts…” posts, and I thought I’d write an archive post for all the ones I’ve done so far. Are there any others you’d be particularly interested in? Should I do some “5 MORE Facts…” type posts?
Here’s what I’ve got so far…
Dean Martin
Bing Crosby
Ella Fitzgerald
Perry Como
Harry Connick, Jr.
Bobby Darin
Sandra Dee
Michael Bublé
Marilyn Monroe
Frankie Laine
Vic Damone
Nat King Cole
Mel Torme
and… hehe
Me.

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Did you know that Mel was nicknamed the “Velvet Fog”? In his younger years, I can see why… I’m personally not too keen on the stuff he did in the 70s and 80s, but that might be just because when I was growing up then, I thought of him as “old lady music”. LOL
Here’s a piece of rare footage of the fogginess himself singing “April Showers” circa 1950(ish):

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Okay readers, I want to know which version you guys like better… The Mel Torme version or Michael Buble’s version of “Comin’ Home Baby”
Watch the video clips below, and leave your vote in the comments section. I’ll let you know what my vote is later on…

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It’s definitely summertime here in the northeast. FINALLY!
Lots of rain the past couple weeks, but when we get a nice, hot day, what’s better to guzzle down than some lemonade?
For this weekend’s song and drink, I’ve selected something different and cool.
Something languid and sexy, that kind of makes you just want to be on a porch swing, leaning back with a leg up, hanging the glass by it’s rim from your fingertips and listening to something slow and piano-laden on the stereo…

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Melvin Howard Tormé was born in 1925 in Chicago, Illinois to immigrant Russian Jewish parents whose real last name had been Torma.
He composed the music for the classic holiday song “The Christmas Song” (also known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” popularly sung by Nat King Cole and many other crooners). Noted by some as odd, because he was Jewish, that he wrote a Christmas song, Mel claimed to have written it in under 45 minutes and it was never one of his favorites.
As a teen, Mel Tormé sang, arranged, and played drums in a band led by Chico …read more

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Michael’s finished his Australia tour, and kicks off a UK Tour on July 18 and will take another break before a tour in South America in November. He’ll also be back here in NY in December… oh, what a Christmas gift that would be (considering I missed him on my birthday the past two years in a row)!
Mike reallllly needs these breaks. I think he’s been overworking himself, touring and recording non-stop for the past 3-4 years. I hope that after the CMI (Call Me Irresponsible) tour, he takes at least a solid year off.
Upcoming Tour Dates:

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As mentioned a while back, some rare Marilyn Monroe, “behind the scenes” tapes were recently put up for auction. The starting bids were expected to be around $15k, and personally I’m surprised that “On The Set With ‘The Misfits’” didn’t get a whole lot more than US$60,000.
The auction also included the original disco ball from “Saturday Night Fever” and an original script of “The Godfather” signed by Marlon Brando. The sale was held by Julien’s Auctions at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.
“The Misfits” was the last completed film for both Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. Gable had a fourth heart …read more

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How many “comeback” albums can one trailer park whore erm, I mean, Britney Spears… have? Supposedly there’s another yet to come? (Rumors In Music)
Oh my god, Michael Jackson’s turning 50. And Aussie fans have a pretty cool opportunity to vote up their fave tracks for a compilation album that will only be released in Oz. (Oz Music Scene)
Amy Crackhouse might have TB. Oh. The. Horror. Next!
Oh, this would be cool: Lionel Ritchie hints at a Commodores Reunion! (Rumors In Music)
Cinderella had to scrap their reunion tour because lead singer’s vocal chords hemorrhage. Yikes. (Ear Sucker)
Oh lord, not only is she …read more

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