Tag Archives: Robert Downey Jr.

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 14

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

2025 was the year I finally entered the Marvel universe-i.e., I watched the first two phases of the Marvel movies. I do realize I am 17 years late to the party but since I was never a comic book fan, watching movies about comic book characters-even the non animated kind-did not really appeal to me. But once I started I made it all the way to Phase 3 in three months time and got halfway through that before stopping when winter turned to spring and my hibernation ended.

Three words were the impetus for me to start the franchise: Robert Downey Jr. I have adored him F-O-R-E-V-E-R yet I had zero clue he was Iron Man (and sold out by Jeff Bridges in the first movie…..Dude!!!). I also missed Downey when he played Larry Paul in “Ally McBeal” in seasons 4 & 5.

The future Tony Stark showed us yet another of his remarkable skills when he performed today’s song during S4 episode 6 and it was quite beautiful. When the track was released in 2000 as part of A Very Ally Christmas, it featured a cello arrangement that when combined with Downey’s pensive vocal turned the song into an absolutely exquisite moment. There does not seem to be anything that man cannot do.

The same year he started on “Ally”-2000-was the same year Linda Ronstadt released A Merry Little Christmas. She included a cover of the same song, done with a lovely delicate string arrangement that is quite stunning. And given her immense talent, it is no surprise that Ronstadt made this song her own as well.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Linda Ronstadt circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The writer of today’s song-Joni Mitchell-recorded it for her 1971 album, Blue. Since then it has been covered by an array of artists including one who played on that album (although not on this song). And 25 years later in October 2006, he released his own version on James Taylor at Christmas.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “River” (1971, written by Joni Mitchell).

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

Linda Ronstadt: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

James Taylor: “River” (2006, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 5

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 5

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song is on my list every year and I make no apologies for that. The original version is by the beautiful and legendary singer/songwriter who started off the year by winning her 10th Grammy Award for Best Folk Album for Joni Mitchell At Newport [Live]. That record captured her musical comeback in 2023 after a medical crisis and she has not slowed down since. Her songs continue to endure and resonate more than five decades after the release of her 1968 debut album, Song To A Seagull, as does today’s song which debuted in 1971.

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Joni Mitchell on stage at the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Out of all the cover versions out there of today’s song, the one I adore the most is by a man who also started 2024 off with an award. In his case it was the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer”. He was also nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for his role as as Claude in “The Sympathizer”. He ended the year with a return to Broadway after nearly 40 years to star in the title role of the new play by Ayad Akhtar, “McNeal”.

I have been a fan of RDJ’s since I saw him in the 1986 comedy, “Back To School”, and have followed him since. I think one of his best roles was as Larry Paul in “Ally McBeal” where he performed today’s song in 2000 during season 4, episode 6, “‘Tis The Season”. His sharp and elegant vocals are paired with a truly haunting and exquisite cello arrangement that is one of the most beautiful musical moments I have ever heard.

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Robert Downey Jr. on stage at The 96th Academy Awards ceremony after his win for Best Supporting Actor in March 2024. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “River” (1971, written by Joni Mitchell).

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 5

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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A lovely simple and elegant holiday display found on Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The legendary and multi-talented Joni Mitchell turned 80 this year (click here for that post) and her music is still as vital, as influential and as beautiful as ever. And it should be. Today’s pick is one of her most beloved and most covered tracks. I love the original version she recorded for her 1971 album, Blue. It was reissued in 2021 for its 50th anniversary along with a really lovely animated video for today’s song. My absolute favorite cover of this tune was recorded by actor Robert Downey Jr. in 2000 for his role as Larry Paul on “Ally McBeal”. It has a cello arrangement that is absolutely exquisite.

“It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace“.

Joni Mitchell
robd

Top: Joni Mitchell in the early 1970’s. Bottom: Robert Downey Jr. circa 2005. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “River” (1971, written by Joni Mitchell).

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 2

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music, Christmas by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

day 1

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Yesterday’s song was by Elton John who is retiring from the road. Well, as one legend leaves the live stage, another one has returned to it in an incredibly triumphant way. Joni Mitchell performed at the Newport Folk Festival this summer after years of recovery from a medical event. It was a glorious moment for her and those of us who have followed her career and believed in her words, music, talent and artistry.

I learned she was slowly making her way back over the last few years by hosting “Joni Jams” in the living room of her home to play with many of her famous friends. Now Mitchell has announced some show dates for 2023. And on the subject of Elton John again, he hosted an episode of his Rocket Hour show last month right from Mitchell’s house. It is an absolutely delightful interview in which John pointed out “music brought her back to life”. Amen. Say it with me: Music is the answer.

Today’s pick is one of Mitchell’s most beloved and most covered tracks. I love the original version she recorded for her 1971 album, Blue. It was reissued last year for its 50th anniversary and went to #1. My absolute favorite cover of this track was recorded by actor Robert Downey Jr. in 2000 for his role as Larry Paul on “Ally McBeal”. It has a cello arrangement that is absolutely exquisite. In the spirit of this giving season, I am presenting both for your enjoyment.

Welcome back, Joni Mitchell. We missed you.

“It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace“.

Joni

robert downey jr

Top: Joni Mitchell on stage at the Newport Folk Festival in July 2022. Bottom: Robert Downey Jr. circa 2000. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “River” (1971, written by Joni Mitchell).

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 5

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

skating

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song is a cover version that was introduced to me several years ago by one of my loyal readers and I have been enamored with it ever since. Joni Mitchell’s original, released 50 years ago on her acclaimed album Blue, is lovely as are several of the other covers I have heard by Linda Ronstadt, Sarah McLachlan and James Taylor, to name a few. But actor Robert Downey Jr.’s version is as my reader described “hauntingly beautiful”. With all due respect to Mitchell, I do not believe a better version of this song exists than his.

“It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace“.

Downey

Robert Downey Jr. circa 2000. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2019: Day 22

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

Holiday greetings to all of you on this first day of winter!

day 22 B.jpg

Found on Pinterest (original source unknown). 

I have a weakness for string arrangements in any type of music.  It began the moment I heard the absolutely exquisite introduction to Bruce Springsteen’s “Jungleland”.  That union of a piano and violin is just so beautiful I never recovered from that first listen.  It inspired me to learn to play the viola in junior high.  I stayed with it all through high school, then in college I took cello lessons.  It became my first love to both play and listen to.  I firmly believe that whoever coined the phrase “hauntingly beautiful” did so after hearing an unbelievably powerful and heartbreakingly elegant string arrangement, perhaps like this one from my favorite movie soundtrack of all time by composer Rachel Portman.

Today’s pick was originally done with only a piano accompaniment to the singer’s voice which made for a really lovely piece of music.  The version of the song I am using today is also a  piano/vocal combination.  But with the addition of one of the most gorgeous string arrangements I have ever heard,  it goes from lovely to utterly sublime.

Ally mcbeal

Robert Downey Jr.:  “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell in 1971).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2018: Day 18

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

I follow a lot of unbelievably talented & creative women on Instagram, and since their pictures are so beautiful, I wanted to share a few with you.

Debra Vintage Crushin.jpeg

Courtesy of Debra @vintagecrushin

Today’s picture comes from Debra @vintagecrushin who shares my affinity for white Ironstone among her many loves.  She creates such pretty vignettes in her home (like the one above) and is so creative she celebrated Thanksgiving in her garage which was decorated in classic vintage style (with an assist from her equally talented sister) complete with mismatched china, old silver and glass goblets.  All the pictures are up on her page for your enjoyment!!!  And my thanks to Debra for letting me share her beautiful picture!!!

Today’s song was a suggestion to me in 2016 by a reader (thank you, Michael!!!) and I have been addicted to it ever since.  It was written by Joni Mitchell in 1971 for her album “Blue” and quoted by Meg Ryan’s character Kathleen Kelly in “You’ve Got Mail” ( “It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees. Do you know that Joni Mitchell song? ‘I wish I had a river I could skate away on?’ It’s such a sad song, and not really about Christmas at all, but I was thinking about it tonight as I was decorating my Christmas tree and unwrapping funky ornaments made of Popsicle sticks, and missing my mother so much I almost couldn’t breathe”).  I do love a good pop culture reference  🙂

This song has been covered by such diverse artists as Sarah McLachlan, Barry Manilow, James Taylor and Sam Smith.  But this version is my absolute favorite and something this good needs to be shared.  And it is from of one of my favorite shows ever, Ally McBeal,  when this actor/singer/hottie played Attorney Larry Paul.

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Robert Downey Jr. & Calista Flockhart from “Ally McBeal” circa 2000 (original source unknown).  

Robert Downey Jr. “River” (2000)

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Christmas Song Countdown Day 5

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hello, Vixens!!!  Welcome back to the Christmas Song countdown.

truck-with-wreath

Today’s song has the ability to transport me back to the warmest part of my childhood with the very first note.  And that is no easy feat.  I grew up much faster than I should have because that was my road to walk, but once you see happily ever after end in a horribly final way, you never believe in fairy tales again.

But these childhood friends of mine were my safe place, where I was kept out of harm’s way in a world with kids who did not see me differently because I no longer had the innocence of a child.  In fact, they did not even seem to notice.  They kept me in their world, no questions asked.  That was the part of my childhood I needed to hold on to most of all.  You do not forget friends like that.

peanuts-2

Copyright:  Charles M. Schultz

My friends, the Peanuts, already recorded this song to perfection.  But many other singers have covered this song since then, and this artist’s version is by far the solid second.  Between the combination of her beautiful voice and Diana Krall’s sublime piano accompaniment, this cover is absolutely gorgeous.

Sarah McLachlan:  Christmas Time Is Here.

PS:  Anita Baker’s jazzy, soulful version is also a worthy contender.  It definitely deserves a listen.

PSS:  The first song of the countdown was Joni Mitchell’s “River” (read that here) with an honorable mention to Sarah Mclachlan’s version.  Michael commented on that post that Robert Downey, Jr. did a “hauntingly beautiful” version of River when he was on “Ally McBeal”.   I love Robert Downey, Jr. and thought I saw every single “AB” episode when he was on it, but somehow that episode eluded me.  I listened to RDJ’s version today and Michael described it perfectly. It is hauntingly beautiful.  So, of course, I could not keep a gem like that to myself.  You can listen to it here.

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you   🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy listening!!!

christmas

Courtesy of:  Captainwalt.com