Category Archives: Music

Music Monday: December 30, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We are on the verge of a new year, one that sounds like it is from a sci-fi series. Yesterday we were celebrating the new millennial and in a few days we will officially be 25 years in. I know time flies, but this last quarter century went by tragically fast. I believe those two words together form the most accurate and the most heartbreaking definition of life out there.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Still, a new year is a chance for new starts, new beginnings and new chances. And more music which remains the constant in my life. So thank you all for being here and sharing my love of it every week. I truly appreciate it. I wish you all the best in the new year. May it bring you everything you want and need. And right now, who does not need a little Lady Ella to get us all in a festive mood?

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Ella Fitzgerald circa 1940. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ella Fitzgerald: “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” (1960, written by Frank Loesser).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 25, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Just a quick reminder: With the festive season upon us, Music Mondays will be preempted for the next four weeks because starting December 1st, my annual Christmas music feature will begin. I hope you will stay for that & share some of your favorite holiday songs with me as well. And to all of you celebrating Thanksgiving this week, I wish you a happy & safe day.

The recent loss of Quincy Jones is a massive one to anyone who listened to music at any point in the last 70 years. He died on November 3 at the age of 91 leaving behind a seven decade career that began while he was in high school honing his skills as a trumpeter and arranger before he went on to play for Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. Jones met Ray Charles while he was on the way up as well, and the two formed a lifelong friendship.

Jones’ talent led to work with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and many other artists. Jones began working on movie scores in 1964 and continued in that genre for the rest of his career.

The 1970’s & 1980’s brought more fame and recognition including Jones’ work with Michael Jackson & on the USA For Africa charity single, “We Are The World”. In November 1989 Jones released, Back On The Block, a standout for me which reunited him with his old friend, Ray Charles, for a fantastic cover of a great song Jones produced back in 1976 for The Brothers Johnson. Rest in peace, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. Thank you for every note. 

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Three other noteworthy releases from 1989 were released in the same month:

Patti Labelle: Her ninth solo album, Be Yourself, from June 1989 included a song that gave the singer the opportunity to add her tremendous voice to a James Bond movie soundtrack. The film, “Licence to Kill”, led by Timothy Dalton as the man who preferred his martini shaken, not stirred, featured fellow soul and R&B singer Gladys Knight on the title track. As fabulous as that song is, Labelle’s soaring ballad takes center stage for me. .

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Van Morrison: He released Avalon Sunset 35 years ago in June 1989. The two most notable songs include “These Are The Days” featured in the 1995 movie “Nine Months”. The other is an absolutely beautiful love song covered by Rod Stewart for his 1991 Vagabond Heart album. It became a #5 hit for him two years later after he delivered a very moving performance of it during his MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. I love it along with everything else Stewart does, but Morrison’s original is even more heartfelt as the words and emotions are all his own. He recorded it with The Chieftans for their version featured on their 1995 album, The Long Black Veil. It earned them a Grammy Award the following year for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad English: Five years after the massive success of his solo song, “Missing You“, John Waite teamed up with his old bandmate from The Babys-keyboardist Jonathan Cain-and his Journey bandmate-guitarist Neil Schon-to form the supergroup, Bad English. Rounding out the lineup was Styx bassist Ricky Phillips and drummer Deen Castronovo. Even with all that star power, the first single from the band’s self-titled debut album released in June 1989 was written by multi-award winning songwriter, Diane Warren. Bad English disbanded after their second album, 1991’s Backlash.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds’ third studio album, For the Cool in You, hit the music scene in August 1993. It produced five singles with the last one being released in May 1994. It not only became the most successful song from the album-it peaked at #4 on the chart that September-but it also became the top selling single of his career to date. It is a simple yet elegant love song that showcases his voice beautifully and stands out as my favorite song from his extensive catalog. I fell in love with it all over again after his acoustic performance at the 1995 Grammy Awards where it won him the trophy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Babyface

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Quincy Jones (featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan): “I’ll Be Good To You” (1989, written by George Johnson, Louis Johnson and Sonora Sam).

Patti LaBelle “If You Asked Me To” (1989, written by Diane Warren).

Van Morrison: “Have I told You Lately” (1989, written by Van Morrison).

Bad English: “When I See You Smile” (1989, written by Diane Warren).

Babyface: “When Can I See You Again” (1993, written by Kenneth Edmonds).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 18, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Anita Baker’s third studio album, Giving You The Best That I Got, was released 36 years ago in the fall of 1988. It ended the year as the #1 album in the country where it stayed for four consecutive weeks. The title track became the first & best known single which peaked at #3 that December. As much as I like the song, it is the second single that stands as my favorite track. It was a Top Twenty hit in April 1989 and features bass player Nathan East who appears on six of the eight album tracks. He has been a part of Eric Clapton’s touring and studio bands for four decades.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

An 80’s era singer that flew under my radar was Rick Astley. While I always thought he was quite adorable & swooned over the blue eyed soul sound he had going on, dance music was never my thing so I usually did not listen to him or watch his videos. But then his 1991 album, Free, came out and included a ballad I absolutely adore to this day. I was not alone in that feeling as it became a Top Ten hit for him, peaking at #7 in April 1991. It featured The Andraé Crouch Choir on backing vocals who were prominently featured in the performance video that was in heavy rotation back in those wonderful & magical days when music video stations actually showed them.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Speaking of blue-eyed soul singers, another of my favorites is Mick Hucknall. I fell in love with Simply Red because of his voice starting with their 1985 debut album, Picture Book. One listen to “Holding Back The Years” or “Money’s Too Tight (Too Mention”) and it is hard to believe that record will be turning 40 next year. As much as that first release pulled me in, 1991’s Stars, kept me front and center in their world thanks to the fabulous title track.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Anita Baker: “Just Because” (1988, written by Alex Brown, Sammy McKinney and Michael O’Hara).

Rick Astley: “Cry For Help” (1991, written by Rick Astley and Rob Fisher).

Simply Red: “Stars” (1991, written by Mick Hucknall).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 11, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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President Harry S. Truman delivered the quote below on April 17, 1945 during his address over Armed Forces Radio following the death of his predecessor, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. As a WW1 veteran himself, Truman also shared his firsthand experience:

“I know the strain, the mud, the misery, the utter weariness of the soldier in the field. And I know too his courage, his stamina, his faith in his comrades, his country, and himself.”

To all our veterans & to the men and women currently in uniform, thank you for your service.

Veteran's day

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dan Fogelberg’s second album, Souvenirs, just turned 50 years old. Released in October 1974, all 11 songs were written by the singer/songwriter himself. The most well know track was “Part Of The Plan” and set him up for the future success that followed. In 1978 he collaborated with flutist Tim Weisberg for Twin Sons of Different Mothers which includes a song I really enjoy, “The Power Of Gold”.

But when 1979’s album, Phoenix, came out featuring the hit, “Longer”, I must admit it put Fogelberg on my periphery. It did not speak to me at all and was way too soft rock for my taste. But 1981’s “Hard To Say” & 1982’s “Missing You” were more my vibe and put him back into my focus. And what holiday season is complete without his sweet reflective “Same Old Lang Syne”?

As for Souvenirs, it also has a great song for anyone who has ever felt the need to “stay inside for a while” when the noise starts to drown out the peace.

“Don’t you think it’s kind of sad to say
Don’t you think it’s gonna change
Makes you think you’ll have to stay inside
For a while“.

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Dan Fogelberg’s 1974 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Herb Alpert hit the #1 spot in the country 45 years ago. His 1979 top selling song-co-written by his nephew, Randy “Badazz” Alpert-stayed in that position for two consecutive weeks. Herb’s first #1 song, “This Guy’s In Love With You”, topped the charts for 4 weeks eleven years earlier in June 1968. And if you know your GH trivia, you know what controversial scene the 1979 song was featured in (hint: It involved Luke & Laura).

The 89 year old trumpeter-who released his 50th album, 50, in September-is actively touring with his wife, Lani Hall, and will be joined by The Tijuana Brass early next year in anticipation of the 60th anniversary of Whipped Cream & Other Delights which was released in April 1965.

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Herb Alpert’s 1979 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Julian Lennon released his debut album in October 1984. It was produced by Phil Ramone and had two Top Ten songs, the title track and “Too Late For Goodbyes”. The comparisons to his father, John, were inevitable, especially due to the similarities in their voices and their looks. But Julian’s inner voice was very much his own and came through in every song on this record. Six more albums followed (including his 2022 release, Jude) while Julian found other passions to pursue as well. In 2010 a book featuring his Beatles memorabilia collection was published. That same year, he was featured in the first of several photography exhibits, a passion he discovered while taking pictures for the 2007 musical tour for his half brother, Sean.

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Julian Lennon’s 1984 debut album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Fortunate Son” (1969, written by John Fogerty).

Dan Fogelberg: “Changing Horses” (1974, written by Dan Fogelberg).

Herb Alpert: “Rise” (1979, written by Randy “Badazz” Alpert and Andy Armer).

Julian Lennon: “Valotte“: (1984, written by Justin Clayton, Julian Lennon and Carlton Morales).   

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 4, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

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Lindsey Buckingham celebrated birthday #75 last month. Born October 3, 1949 in Palo Alto, CA, he is the man credited as the driving force behind Fleetwood Mac from the moment he joined the band at the end of 1974. And by now we all know his only condition to becoming a member of the group was that his then girlfriend, Stevie Nicks, be invited as well.

It was not only Buckingham’s undeniably impressive skills as a musician featuring his notable fingerstyle technique on electric and acoustic guitar along with the banjo, or his talent for songwriting but his prowess for arranging and producing that made him invaluable to the group’s success in its second life. Formed in 1967, the band’s sound was more blues based before it shifted its focus to rock led by his lead guitar which helped to introduce FM to a much wider audience, leading to their enormous success and recognition.

Buckingham’s presence was evident in 1975’s self titled album and the one which followed that documented all the romantic drama that took place (including his & Nicks’ breakup in 1976) and became the subject for the next album, 1977’s Rumours, which catapulted the group to superstardom. By 1981, he released his first solo album, Law And Order, and by 1987 he left FM for a creative and personal break.

In 1993 Buckingham joined the band for a performance of “Don’t Stop” for the Clinton inauguration. That opened the door for some other collaborations with the group before they reunited for 1997’s, The Dance, which he co-produced. Over the next 20 years he continued with FM while also working on solo projects and other collaborations including his 2017 album with Christine McVie. As much as I loved that, I will forever be grateful to Lindsey for appearing on “Saturday Night Live” in 2011 to participate as himself in the ongoing skit, “What’s Up With That“, where he was portrayed by Bill Hader. Funny stuff.

McVie’s death in 2022 effectively laid FM to rest, but many fans including myself believe the band officially ended in 2018 when Buckingham was fired due to an ultimatum Nicks made to the rest of the group. Some reports say she was upset with his behavior at an awards function while others said it stemmed from her not being included on his & McVie’s album while the two other members of FM-Mick Fleetwood and John McVie-were a part of it.

However, it has been well documented by Nicks herself in nearly every interview I have seen (most recently last month’s appearance on CBS Sunday Morning) that she continues to blame Buckingham for choices she made over four decades ago, indicating there is a great deal of baggage behind her reasons for forcing the band to choose between them. He sued the group for his termination and by the end of 2018 the case was settled. If the magnitude of his shadow did not speak for itself, the fact that not one but two other guitarists were brought in to replace him for FM’s 2019 tour puts it into perspective quite clearly. But without Buckingham, it was just not the same.

That same year he underwent emergency heart surgery which reportedly affected his vocal chords. Thankfully, he recovered and released his self-titled seventh solo album in September 2021. He has been married to Kristen Messner since 2000 and together they have three children. To me, he remains the heart & sound of Fleetwood Mac. And I am forever thankful for that.

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Top: Lindsey Buckingham & the rest of Fleetwood Mac on the back cover of 1977’s smash album, Rumours (large photo l-r: John McVie, Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Christine McVie). Middle 1: Buckingham circa 1979. Middle 2: The 2017 Buckingham McVie album cover. Bottom: The artist circa 2017. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Fleetwood Mac: “Monday Morning” (1975, written by Lindsey Buckingham).

Fleetwood Mac: “Go Your Own Way” (1977, written by Lindsey Buckingham).

Fleetwood Mac: “The Chain” (1977, written by Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie and Stevie Nicks).

Lindsey Buckingham: “Trouble” (1981, written by Lindsey Buckingham).   

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 27, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple edition (plus a bonus track) of Music Monday.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Note: This will be the final Music Monday for 2023. Starting December 1st, the Christmas Countdown begins and will end on the last Monday of the year, which is Christmas Day. I would love to hear about some of your favorite holiday songs so please email me or comment below with your top choices. Music Mondays will resume on January 1, 2024. And now to the music.

Happy 60th anniversary to With The Beatles, the band’s second studio album. It was released on November 22, 1963 and included six cover songs. Today’s first feature was The Fab Four’s salute to Motown. I love that one of my favorite bands saluted one of my favorite genres (and theirs, too) with one of my favorite songs. The harmony between the group really shines through on this track.

Exactly five years later came the release of The Beatles, more commonly known by its nickname, The White Album. It was the band’s ninth studio album and the only double record of their career. It was also the first time the band had another famous musician join them in the studio. Eric Clapton played lead guitar on today’s second feature which is one of my all time favorites by George Harrison.

Nearly five years after that, Ringo Starr had the #1 song in the country. The tune hit the top spot on the chart on November 24, 1973 for one week, only two months after it was released. Co-written with his old Beatles chum Harrison, the track was the lead single from Starr’s third solo album-aptly titled Ringo-released the same month. It peaked at the #2 position on the Billboard album chart, but never hit the top spot because another chap from England-Elton John-was in that spot for the last eight weeks of that year with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Starr’s album went on to produce another #1 record two months later when the second single-his cover of “You’re Sixteen”-topped the charts for one week in January 1974. But it was the lead track that took a very sentimental turn for Starr who performed it in tribute to Harrison at “The Concert For George” in 2002. Harrison died 22 years ago on November 29, 2001. But thanks to some recordings he did in the 1990’s with Starr and McCartney together with a pre-recorded assist from Lennon, the world received an early Christmas gift: “the last Beatles song”. The track has a really sweet sentiment and the video takes us on a great walk down memory lane of the four lads from Liverpool we met on a Sunday night one February almost 60 years ago.

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Picture 1: The Beatles’ 1963 album. Picture 2: The four pictures that came inside The White Album (L-R: George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney). Picture 3: Ringo and George in the early days of The Beatles era, circa 1963. Picture 4: George and Ringo circa 1990. Bottom: Ringo’s self-titled 1973 album. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Beatles: “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” (1963, written by William Robinson Jr.).

The Beatles: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (1968, written George Harrison).

Ringo Starr: “Photograph” (1973, written by George Harrison and Richard Starkey).

Bonus: The Beatles: “Now And Then” (2023, written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Richard Starkey).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: November 20, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We have three more songs celebrating milestones this week. The first is by the band Chicago. They released their fifth album-Chicago VI-in June 1973. It contains today’s first feature-my favorite track by the band-and the hit, “Just You ‘N’ Me“. Fifty years later, both songs remain two of the most popular from the group’s legendary catalog.

Chicago VI

.(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In the fall of 1977, the band Player released their self-titled debut album. By January of the following year, their first single became the #1 song in the country for three consecutive weeks. Their second single from the album, “This Time I’m In It For Love“, hit #10 in June 1978.

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Player’s 1977 self titled debut album (L -R): Peter Beckett (lead vocals & guitar), Ronn Moss (vocals & bass), John Friesen (drums) and John Charles J.C. Crowley (vocals & keyboards). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In September 1978, Nicolette Larson released her debut album, Nicolette. It included really nice covers of Marvin Gaye’s “Baby Don’t You Do It” and Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me“. The lead single was written by Neil Young whom she sang back-up for from 1977 to 1993. It spent four weeks as a Top Ten hit, peaking at #8 in February 1979. Later that year she performed the song at the “No Nukes” concerts in NYC backed by The Doobie Brothers. I do not think too many people can cover Young’s songs well, but Larson is one of the exceptions. I adore her version of this track as much as I love Young’s polar opposite acoustic original.

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Nicolette Larson’s 1978 debut album, “Nicolette”.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Chicago: “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” (1973, written by Peter Cetera and James Pankow).

Player: “Baby Come Back” (1977, written by Peter Beckett and John Charles “J.C.” Crowley).

Nicolette Larson: “Lotta Love” (1978, written by Neil Young).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: November 13, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of the most talented, prolific, eloquent and beautiful singer-songwriters in this or any universe hit a milestone birthday last week. Joni Mitchell-born Roberta Joan Anderson-was born 80 years ago on November 7, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada. 

Music and art were interwoven throughout her childhood and teenage years, but Mitchell began to pursue music full time by the age of 20 after she quit art school. She came to the U.S. in 1965 and a year later she played a small set at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island.  By 1968 she released her first album followed by three of her most important & prolific records:  Clouds in 1969, Ladies Of The Canyon in 1970 and Blue in 1971.   

She spent the next five decades making history, art and winning every award and accolade in the industry. In 2015 she suffered a brain aneurysm but fought her way back to play at the Newport Folk Festival in July 2022 after a 53 year absence. The show was recorded and released in July 2023 with the simple but significant title, Joni Mitchell At Newport. It has been nominated for Best Folk Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Last month she released the compilation, Archives-Volume Three: The Asylum Years (1972-1975). Mitchell-one of the greatest women in music without question-is still thriving. What an incredible gift.

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Top: Joni Mitchell circa 1968. Bottom: At the Newport Folk Festival, July 2022. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

In November 1968, Glen Campbell released his 11th studio album. It features covers of songs by Otis Redding (Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay”), The Bee Gees (“Words”) and Tim Hardin (“Reason To Believe”). But for me, the title track is the star of the show, written by the incomparable Jimmy Webb who also played organ on the tune which was produced by Al De Lory. It became Campbell’s signature tune until “Rhinestone Cowboy” came out in 1975.

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Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb at their Feinstein’s at the Regency, May 2000 smash sold-out engagement. New York City © Sandra Gillard/Lightkeepers (Image found online).

In November 1973 Hall & Oates released their second album, Abandoned Luncheonette. Despite being a great tune, the first single only reached #60 on the Billboard 100 chart. But after “Sara Smile” (from their self-titled fourth album) reached the #4 spot in June 1976, today’s third featured song was re-released and hit #7 in October of the same year. Thus began Hall & Oates’ reign as music’s most successful duo of all time. And as of November 1 Hall’s show, “Live From Daryl’s House“, returned after a lengthy hiatus with Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze as the first guest. Cheers for real music again from one of the greatest blue-eyed soul singers of our time.

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Top: The front & back covers of 1973’s Abandoned Luncheonette. Bottom (L-R): John Oates and Daryl Hall.

(Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “Both Sides Now” (1969, written by Joni Mitchell).

Glen Campbell: “Wichita Lineman” (1968, written by Jimmy Webb).

Hall & Oates: “She’s Gone” (1973, written by Daryl Hall and John Oates).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: November 6, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month “CBS Sunday Morning” featured a surprising and fabulous update on the life of the inventor of funk, Sly Stone. He worked with Questlove, the man who brought us the Oscar winning documentary, “Summer Of Soul” which features an unforgettable performance by Sly and his band, The Family Stone, to bring us his story in a memoir named after the group’s #1 song from 1970, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Questlove also wrote the foreword for the book which was written with Ben Greenman. I am sure it will be an incredible read about the man born Sylvester Stewart, who celebrated birthday #80 earlier this year. The fact that the frontman for Sly & the Family Stone- who was born March 15, 1943 in Denton, Texas- survived the 1970’s, let alone has lived to see eight decades of life is remarkable, especially since the report revealed he has only been sober for the last four years.

Stone and his band charted three #1 singles in their career (featured below) while another Top 20 song, “If You Want Me To Stay”, just turned 50 years old after its peak at #12 in September 1973. But despite Stone’s musical prowess, his battle with addiction ended his career and sent him on a downward spiral for most of the last five decades.

While he did not appear in the the CBS segment, we learned from his three children that in addition to his sobriety, Stone is now living a quiet anonymous life in the outskirts of Los Angeles, California. His legacy as a creator of one of the most influential and groundbreaking sounds in music not only remains but continues to influence performers the world over. One of them-the multi-talented Questlove-closes out the report with these incredible words: “As long as Sly is breathing on earth, I consider that OK”. Amen.

Top: Sly Stone circa 1973. Bottom: Sly and the Family Stone in their heyday circa 1972 (L-R): Rose Stone, Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Freddie Stone, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini (seated) and Cynthia Robinson. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone: “Everyday People” (1968, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in February 1969 for 4 weeks.

Sly & The Family Stone: “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in February 1970 for 2 weeks.

Sly & The Family Stone: “Family Affair” (1971, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in December 1971 for 3 weeks.

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: October 30, 2023

Posted in Holidays, Music, Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to the Halloween triple play edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Before we get to the music, I want to take a minute to share how truly brokenhearted I am over the loss of actor Matthew Perry. “Friends” is part of my DNA and his portrayal of Chandler Bing is a huge part of that. To lose such a beautiful person so unexpectedly at such a young age is an absolute shame, not to mention truly crushing. It is just too sad for words but I am forever grateful for the legacy he left behind.

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Top: Matthew Perry circa 2004. Bottom: The cast of “Friends” circa 2004 (L-R): David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Perry, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

On a much lighter note, happy Halloween, everyone. I have three songs to help you celebrate this special day.

The first is a his and her version from two of the best voices we have ever been privileged to hear. Hers belongs to the great Ella Fitzgerald. Her jazz infused take gives me “The Great Pumpkin” vibes as it reminds me so much of the soundtrack created by Vince Guaraldi for those fabulous and iconic Peanuts specials. His is by the Chairman Of The Board, Francis Albert Sinatra. You cannot go wrong with either and they both add a touch of elegance and style to what is traditionally known as a children’s holiday.

The second feature is a staple for kids of all ages this time of year, whether you embrace the spooky side to the holiday or not. It is just campy light-hearted fun. And it is part of the soundtrack of my life thanks to my mother who introduced it to me when I was a child.

The third song of the day is a surprise to me as I was never a fan of the artist. Donovan was primarily known as a folk singer and later embraced a psychedelic sound, neither of which were genres I related to. But much to my surprise, I heard his spooky track on an episode of “House” (S3 E11) and could not believe the song I was enjoying was by the same man who sang “Jennifer Juniper”. I also never knew his daughter is actress Ione Skye from one of my favorite movies, “Say Anything”.

Enjoy the last day of October, everyone.

Peanuts Halloween

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra: “Witchcraft” (1957, written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh).

Ella Fitzgerald: “Witchcraft” (2007 (recorded circa 1960), written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh).

Bobby “Boris” Pickett: “Monster Mash” (1962, written by Leonard Capizzi and Bobby Pickett).

Donovan: “Season Of The Witch” (1966, written by Donovan and Shawn Phillips).

Stay safe and well.