Crooner Culture

First, Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Americans!
Before I get on with the Weekend Song and Drink post, I want to direct you all to a post I wrote on Memorial Day weekend, about a great artist, Poto Leifi and his project “Freedom’s On Me”, who is using retro-style artwork to pay tribute to fallen US soldiers. Simply awesome stuff, and we need to remember that it’s these soldiers who keep us independent and free.
Now, on to the celebration!
When I started this blog over a year ago, I wrote a post about a “hot, new Miami drink” …read more

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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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(Originally posted August 2007, I want to try to get this idea rolling again!)
Okay everyone – it’s time for the first ever Crooner Culture blog project!
Here’s the skinny…
Everyone has old family photos from the 40’s and 50’s laying around somewhere. Maybe your cousin’s got them all, or your sister, or your 80 year old Uncle Joe. But they’re somewhere.
Your job is to find the photo that reminds you of the classic “crooner era” and post it on your blog, writing whatever you know about when and where it was taken, and put a link in the post to this blog …read more

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I’m shooting for another regular series here at Crooner Culture, the “Weekend Song and Drink”, where I’ll highlight a tasty beverage (usually alcoholic, but often can be made without) and a song that would just go along well while drinking it.
You know how drinking that first sip of hot coffee in the morning gives you a “feeling”?
And you know how that really great song you hear does that same thing?
I’m gonna match them up for you.
So this weekend’s song and drink is… *drumroll*

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Dance Me to the End of LoveVettriano, JackBuy at AllPosters.com
My friends Chris and Nicole are getting married this afternoon.
One of the things I love about weddings is finding out what the bride and groom have chosen for their “first dance” wedding song. I know, most people like the romance of it all, the flowers, the dresses, the food even… I just can’t wait to hear what that song is.
Yep, I’m weird. It’s okay, I’ve come to terms with it.
One of my all time favorite songs for a “first dance” song is one I wrote about earlier when …read more

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I love the motion picture soundtrack for Chicago (2003), and have wanted to see it on stage for a long time, but the movie made me want to see it even more. Queen Latifah (as Matron Mama Morton) sings “When You’re Good To Mama” in probably the best way I can imagine. Her character in the movie is cool, she’s cool, the song’s cool.
“You put in for Mama, she’ll put out for you.”
Check out the mp3 below and the lyrics.

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The b5media Music Channel is doing a group post today on 60 Songs To Add To Your iPod – Today.
Here are my two contributions!
Everything
Michael Bublé
(Call Me Irresponsible)
Get the mp3 for $0.89 from Amazon.com right now!
This song is just nothing but happy. It’s penned by Michael, and you can almost “hear” his smile in this song. It’s definitely an “I’m in love with you” song – and would make an amazing wedding song. Even if you’re not in love, or are bemoaning your singledom (yes, that’s my word), this song makes you WANT to be in love without being miserable about …read more

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Okay, I know he sounds like Elvis. Or an Elvis impersonator. A bad one. But still, here’s Frankie Laine’s “Jealousy”

Jealousy! Night and day you torture me
I sometimes wonder if this spell that I’m under
can only be a melody for I know no one but me
has won your heart but when the music starts
My peace departs from the moment they play that lovely strain
and we surrender to all its charm again
this jealousy that tortures me
is ecstasy, mystery, pain
We dance to a tango of love
your heart beats with mine as we sway
your eyes give the answer I’m dreaming of
that soft word your …read more

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This version is by Harry Connick, Jr. and I’m sure that before you click the “play” button you’re going to be scratching your head as to what this song is, but once you hear it, you’ll really recognize it. And yes, there’s lots of instrumental – trumpets and piano and it’s just a really great rendition. I can hear this playing at a cocktail party, you know? Music and lyrics after the jump…

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1950’s music was so varied… You had those hanging on to the crooner-style of the 40s, and then you had the Rock-N-Rollers.
Some of these, I don’t even know! I noticed that Hank Williams was on the scene, however I wouldn’t necessarily call him either a crooner or a rock-n-roller, so I didn’t list his songs here.
How many of these do you know?
Please Send Me Someone To Love – Percy Mayfield
Teardrops From My Eyes – Ruth Brown
Mona Lisa – Nat “King” Cole
Cry – Johnnie Ray
Too Young – Nat “King” Cole
Pledging My Love – Johnny Ace
Goodnite Sweetheart Goodnite – Spaniels
Why Do …read more

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