Crooner Culture

After watching that clip from the 1981 Tony Awards yesterday, I have to say that I think I prefer the Lena Horne from the 40s, 50s, and 60s more than the Lena Horne of the 80s and thereafter.
I don’t know what it is, something clearer and more pure about her voice, maybe?
Something less overdramatic with her movements, and more seductive with her tone?
Watch this clip where she sings “Love Me or Leave Me” and “The Eagle & Me” from 1965 and let me know what you think?

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I don’t know about you, but I loved “The Wiz”. No, not just because it was the 80’s and I was a huge Michael Jackson fan, but I loved the music as a whole.
Here’s a clip of Lena accepting a special award at the 1981 Tony Awards (before the movie, when it was only on Broadway), as well as her performance of “If You Believe” from “The Wiz”. Pay special attention to when she’s talking about “when it comes” after she accepts the award… LOL Dirty Birdie!

Such a strong woman, strong voice, and strong song! I’m feeling kind …read more

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One of Lena Horne’s most famous recordings (and timeless classics) is “Stormy Weather” from the 1943 movie of the same name. This song became her “signature song” much like “My Way” became Frank Sinatra’s.
I’m having a really hard time finding mp3’s of Ms. Horne’s, so I’m afraid that I’ve got to resort to YouTube vids. (Not that I’d expect you’d mind, of course!)
I think she looks absolutely beautiful in this clip:

You can still buy Stormy Weather! It’s a true classic film (you watch this movie for the more than twenty musical song and dance numbers it contains as opposed to …read more

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The Muppet Show – where every celebrity found themselves at some point in time. Jim Henson was a genius, and I was an addict. LOL
In this clip, Gonzo is feeling pretty low after Animal ruins one of his acts. He runs off the stage and into Ms. Horne’s dressing room, bangs his head on the door in despair, and is then consoled by Lena with these words:
“In this world of ordinary people, extraordinary people, I’m glad there is you
In this world of overrated pleasures, underrated treasures, I’m glad there is you…”

Incidentally, this is the song she sang on that episode …read more

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One of my favorite memories of Lena Horne on television was when she was on the 1985 episode of “The Cosby Show”, where Rudy Huxtable asked Lena if she could meet Kermit. What she was referring to was this clip from Classic Sesame Street, where Lena sang the song “It’s Not Easy Being Green” with Kermit. I remember watching this as a kid, and feeling just so sad for Kermit, you know? Sure, I didn’t “get” the whole meaning of the song back then, but it sure as heck related to poor Kermie in my mind.
There’s something about Ms. …read more

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This week’s crooner is Lena Horne! Here’s some info on the legendary “woo-woo-woo-woo” female jazz crooner:

Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born June 30, 1917 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York. She grew up in an upper middle class black bourgeois community.
Horne became the first African American performer to sign a long-term contract with a major Hollywood studio, namely Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She made her debut with MGM in 1942’s Panama Hattie and became famous in 1943 for her rendition of Stormy Weather in the movie of the same name (which she made while on loan to 20th Century Fox from …read more

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ALICIA KEYS TO PLAY LENA HORNE. PageSix.com is reporting that Alicia Keys will play Lena Horne in a movie about the music legend. Janet Jackson was previously rumored to take the part. According to the site, Oprah Winfrey, who has taken over the project, wanted Keys in the lead role. The talk show host said, “We are going to start filming next year. And we have got Alicia.” Horne, 90, has been deeply involved in the casting process and had asked Jackson to remove herself from the project after the Super Bowl controversy.

I actually DO see the resemblance, don’t …read more

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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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Fellow b5media blogger Dexie Wharton put in a song request yesterday – She said this song is for her mom, and that it’s quite special to her. Personally, I get a little mushy and sentimental whenever I hear this song myself.
I present the music and lyrics to Gershwin’s “Someone To Watch Over Me”… this version is performed by Frank Sinatra.

Someone To Watch Over Me
Gershwin/Gershwin

(There’s a saying old says that love is blind
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
So I’m going to seek a certain gal I’ve had in mind)
(Looking everywhere, haven’t found her yet
She’s the big affair …read more

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