Tag Archives: Carole Bayer Sager

Let’s Take A Moment Day 422

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 blog 2021

(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.

The May music birthdays continue and today’s is a big one. One of the world’s greatest composers, Burt Bacharach, turns 92 years young today. Born May 12, 1929 in Missouri, he & lyricist Hal David have written some of the 20th century’s most popular songs including “This Guy’s In Love With You” (Day 133), “Walk On By” (Day 29), “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again”, “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” and “Close To You”, amongst others. In the 1980’s Bacharach co-wrote a few songs with his then wife, Carole Bayer Sager including “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” & “That’s What Friends Are For”.

When the 1990’s came around another Bacharach fan, musician Elvis Costello, co-wrote a song with him for the 1996 movie, “Grace Of My Heart”. Two years later, the two musicians released an album together, Painted From Memory, which included their version of today’s song. Costello’s vocal is impressive and there is no mistaking the signature Bacharach touch featuring a fabulous trumpet & string arrangement. Living in a world with a talent like Bacharach is an absolute privilege. Happy birthday & continued love, health & happiness to this master musician.

“Since I lost the power to pretend
That there could ever be a happy ending
That song is sung out
This bell is rung out“.

Burt and Elvis

Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello circa 1996. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello: “God Give Me Strength” (1998, written by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello).

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

Stay well.

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Let’s Take A Moment Day 134

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?

Thoreau music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

When two of my favorite singers join forces it is just magical for me.  And no two voices ever sounded quite so good together than Patti Labelle’s and Michael McDonald’s.  I loved her from her 1970’s group Labelle and her solo career that followed, and I just swooned over him as a member of The Doobie Brothers.  Together they took this song to number one for three weeks in June 1986.  Written by the ineffable Burt Bacharach and his then wife, Carole Bayer Sager. this is a gorgeous tale of two broken hearts.  And one of my favorite duets ever.

“So many promises never should be spoken
Now I know what loving you cost
Now we’re up to talking divorce
And we weren’t even married.”

Patti

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald:  “On My Own” (1986, written by Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager).

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

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 95

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?

Kerouac

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

One of the biggest stars to shine during the 1980’s was Phil Collins.  He was everywhere-on the charts, working with other artists (my favorite collab was as a co-producer on Eric Clapton’s 1985 album, “Behind The Sun”) and playing both Live Aid shows by taking the Concorde from one continent to another.  But my favorite P.C. moment of the decade is today’s song, which was also a hit in 1965 for The Mindbenders.  But I believe it was Collins version that inspired the string arrangement used on “Friends” when Chandler was escorted down the aisle by his parents at his wedding to Monica.

“When I’m feeling blue, all I have to do
Is take a look at you, then I’m not so blue
When you’re close to me, I can feel your heart beat
I can hear you breathing in my ear
Wouldn’t you agree, baby you and me got a groovy kind of love.”

Phil Collins

Phil Collins circa 1985.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Phil Collins:  “Groovy Kind Of Love” (1988, written by Carole Bayer Sager and Toni Wine).   

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

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 27

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?

music heart

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

Happy Easter to all who are celebrating.  You may be spending the day in a much different way than in years past, but you can commemorate this holiday again with family and friends once we get past our safe at home status.  For a special way to observe Easter this year, tune into the online concert Andrea Bocelli is giving in Milan today at 1PM EST.  It is being advertised as a solo performance promoting “a message of love, healing and hope to Italy and the world.”  Once again, music is the answer.

In honor of his upcoming show and in celebration of Easter, the song I chose today is one of Bocelli’s duets.  He and Celine Dion each recorded solo versions of this song in 1998 for the film “Quest For Camelot”.  The two singers then performed it together in 1999 at the Oscars and again in 2000 at the Grammy Awards.  The rest, as they say, was history.  The version I am sharing today is from Bocelli’s Central Park concert in 2011.  In my opinion, it is an exquisite duet by two of the world’s best singers with an absolutely gorgeous arrangement.  Their voices fit together so perfectly, and their impassioned interpretations of the lyrics in both English and Italian just add to the stunning sound they create together.  And the lyrics could not be more fitting for this holiday and the state of  where we are:

“Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe“.

Celine-Dion-Andrea-Bocelli-The-Prayer-in2

Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion at his Central Park Concert in NYC 2011
(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli:  “The Prayer” (1998, written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa and Tony Renis).

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

Stay well.