Crooner Culture

(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 know, it appears that I’m on an Alicia Keys kick here lately – maybe I am.
I also know that she’s considered R&B and not a “crooner” type, according to official genre types, but I can’t help it – She’s a crooner to me. Maybe it’s the piano, her voice, I don’t know… whatever it is, I’m kinda into it.
The song “Fallin’”

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I’m still waiting for someone to buy me that video subscription (or even just a few individual DVDs) to the Dean Martin Variety Show archives (including the roasts, of course). I love this stuff, and yes, I know this is more 60’s and less “classic crooner” (especially with Miss Horne involved) but I think this is just cool as hell.

I love how the clip opens with her taking off her wrap. I can’t imagine how many women walked up to good ol’ Dino and had that initial reaction! LOL

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I know, the title of the film is “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” but dammit Jane Russell’s a knockout and makes all us brunette babies envious in this clip from the film. She wasn’t “sweet” looking like Marilyn, and her voice is deeper as well. I’m loving her outfit though, and the hair and makeup are quite beautiful as far as I’m concerned.
What do you think?
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

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It’s a Marilyn Monroe Movie Marathon tonight on AMC!
8:00 PM Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
10:00 PM The Seven Year Itch (1955) (One of my all time favorites!)
12:15 AM Bus Stop (1956)
If for some reason you either can’t watch, or can’t get enough, you can buy a nice collection of Marilyn Monroe films, including those above, plus “How To Marry A Millionaire”, “There’s No Business Like Show Business”, and “The Final Days” as part of The Diamond Collection.
Oh, and in case anyone’s interested, AMC’s featuring Robert DeNiro tomorrow night! Looks like I’m gonna need a LOT of popcorn! …read more

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I can see it now – my thinner, sexier, dangerous dame self – on a terra cotta patio overlooking a giant inground pool. I’m tanned and dewy, wearing a white slinky dress with my long, dark hair cascading over my shoulders. In my hand? The hottest new drink in Miami – The Yellow Tomato Martini. What’s better than a sexy martini when you’re schmoozing at an outdoor after-dinner party, in the middle of summer, listening to your favorite crooners melt your heart? (Okay, so this drink would be just as sexy in jeans and a cami with my hair up …read more

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I’m so thoroughly excited to actually be a part of b5media now – to have this blog, and be writing about the genre of music I adore so much! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks with everyone getting set up and on board – but it’s been so much fun – the anticipation alone – and I’m thrilled that we’re on a roll now!
But wait… there’s more – a CONTEST!
Yep – b5media is doing a grand giveaway as a part of the music channel launch today, with prizes for non-b5 bloggers! b5media bloggers have their own contest going …read more

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According to some, crooners are only male. Others believe in female crooners. Here’s how Wikipedia defines crooner:
Crooner is an epithet given to a male singer of a certain style of popular songs, dubbed pop standards. A crooner is a singer of popular ballads thus a “balladeer”. The singer is normally backed by a full orchestra or big band. Generally, crooners sang and popularized the songs from the Great American Songbook. Crooner was originally bestowed as a negative term, and many people given the term, such as Russ Colombo, did not consider themselves to be crooners. In an interview, Frank Sinatra …read more

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One of my friends was talking about her upcoming wedding and how she and her fiance were trying to pick a good wedding song, that not many people (at least that she knew of) had used for a wedding song. Her sister suggested “At Last” by Etta James, which is probably one of my all time favorite songs.
She played the song for her husband-to-be and he agreed: That’s it!
Personally – I think the best part of the entire song is how Etta draws out the first two words… “Aaat Laaaaaaast….”
At last my love has come along
My lonely days are …read more

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Welcome to the latest addition to the b5media network’s Music Channel – Crooner Culture!
This blog is for lovers of crooners as well as the culture surrounding crooners over the years. This is more than just “The Rat Pack” – it’s Bobby Darin to Michael Buble, Paul Anka to Harry Connick, Jr. and Vic Damone to Bing Crosby.
However let’s not forget the ladies of crooning either – Billie Holiday and Nina Simone to Ella Fitzgerald and Norah Jones. And groups? How about The Platters, Righteous Brothers, and Andrew Sisters for starters…
Any of these get your swoon going? If you’re …read more

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