Tag Archives: Bewitched Bothered & Bewildered

Music Monday: October 28, 2024

Posted in Holidays, Music Monday by

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

1940s Halloween

Halloween display circa 1940’s-1950’s at a Five & Dime store. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Spooky season is upon us, so in that spirit (get it?), I made myself a small Halloween-esque playlist countdown perfect to listen to while I carve my jack-o-lantern:

5. Boz Scaggs: “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” (2003, written by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers).

So many great versions of this show tune, most recently by Rufus Wainwright for “The History Boys” soundtrack (2006), but I have adored Boz’s voice forever so his cover has my heart.

4. Annie Lenox: “I Put A Spell On You” (2014, written by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins).

Yes, I love Bette Midler’s version from “Hocus Pocus” and Nina Simone’s jazzy cover of this song, but Lennox gives it soul which is always at the top of my list.

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

I am woefully late to this party (this song is from 1966!). I discovered it on an episode of “House” (S3 E11) and could not believe the song I was enjoying was by the folk singer who sang “Jennifer Juniper”. Wonders truly never cease.

Witch circa 1940s

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

It is by Lady Ella. Enough said.

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

Because the kid in me would not have it any other way.

Have a happy Halloween, everyone!

Womans World 1912 pumpkin cover

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 405

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

May 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today marks the birth anniversary of a swing & jazz icon. Ella Fitzgerald was born 104 years ago on April 25, 1917 in Virginia. Whether you refer to her as Lady Ella, The First Lady of Song or The Queen Of Jazz, you know she had one of the finest most beautiful voices in all of history.

She collaborated with many musical powerhouses including Chuck Webb, Nelson Riddle, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington & Louie Armstrong, who she grew up listening to. The songs she performed from The Great American Songbook became hers and hers alone. But regardless of what she sang, Ella Fitzgerald was absolute perfection.

“Lost my heart but what of it
He is cold I agree
He can laugh but I love it
Although the laugh’s on me“.

Ella

Ella Fitzgerald circa 1952. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ella Fitzgerald: “Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered” (1956, written by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rogers).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.