Deck the Halls with songs by Garland

Judy wouldn't be Judy unless there was drama. And these songs are dramatic.
The first is from her 1968 appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. It was her second to last appearance on TV before passing away a year later.


I haven't heard this song before and find it very compelling.  It's represents a sentiment that isn't expressed all that much during the "merry" season (and probably with good reason).   But with statistics that report a huge bump in the amount of break ups just before Christmas, it still seems relevant.


This performance is so poignant on so many levels. If you know anything of her life story and the history of people walking out on her, it's heartbreaking to watch how she reaches deep inside her to deliver such a performance. That she does this while simply sitting in the guest chair on the Johnny Carson Show speaks to her legendary showmanship.


        


"We can be happy anywhere as long as we're together."


One of the most popular Christmas songs, "Have Yourself a A Merry Little Christmas" was introduced to us in "Meet Me in St. Louis", a movie I first remember watching at Queen Street School where the Sisters would find us wholesome Christmas films to watch each year. (they were big on Bing). It was also there that I first saw "It's a Wonderful Life".


If you think the song is a downer now, check out the original lyrics that Judy and director husband, Vincent Minnelli had insisted be replaced.

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last,
Next year we may all be living in the past
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, pop that champagne cork,
Next year we will all be living in New York.
No good times like the olden days, happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who were dear to us, will be near to us no more.
But at least we all will be together, if the Fates allow,
From now on we'll have to muddle through somehow.
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now."

It was changed again when Frank Sinatra released the song changing the line:

"Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow". to "Hang a shining star upon the highest bough,"

I prefer the the "muddle" version. It best represents what I am able to accomplish each Christmas in spite of the best intentions.


Whatever your Christmas tradition, I wish you a very, very merry one.


        
Today's question?…Why do you suppose so many choose Christmas to break up?  - Save on gifts?  - Don't want to bring him/her home to meet the parents?

Happy Birthday, Mr. Gershwin

Today marks George Gershwin's entrance into the world and into the great American Songbook.

To say that you're a fan of Gershwin is like saying that you're a fan of air. You can't miss hearing his music.

My first memory of being actually aware of who wrote all of these songs was when I saw An American in Paris.

Talk about an aural and visual orgy. Apart from the Ballet sequence which was the closest thing to a LSD trip ever (well until a few years later), the song I remember the most was "Our Love is Here to Stay".

I was entranced as Gene Kelly serenaded Leslie Caron along the banks of La Seine. This was George Gershwin's last hit song, published after his death in 1937.  His first "hit" was "Swanee" written in 1919 and made popular by Al Jolson.

 His contribution to the movie musical was enormous! Think Fred Astaire and the movie "Shall We Dance": which introduced "They Can't Take that Away From Me" and "They All Laughed".

Aside from these popular hits, Gershwin was also known to write a few classical ditties: "Rhapsody in Blue", "An American In Paris", and "Porgy and Bess" may ring a bell.

He was an artist whose genius was only surmounted by his alledged ego. However, unlike many of today's Divas, it was justified.

What's your favourite Gershwin tune?

Gershwin's first Hit: Swanee!




Say "It Ain't Necessarily So", Jimmy.



Frankie sings: Our Love is Hear to Stay.

You'll Never Walk Alone

Came across a video of John Lloyd Young of The Jersey Boys singing a very moving version of You'll Never Walk Alone; that old Rogers and Hammerstein chestnut from Carousel. He was performing it at the LA AIDS WALK.

The venue and the song were of course very moving. I haven't heard the song for a long time and was never fond of the overblown way that it was usually sung. But this version was very stripped down and somehow it was like I heard the lyrics for the first time. Gone was the quasi religiousness (although it remains a favourite in the gospel repertoire) and up front was the very life affirming message in its lyrics.

It's a message for individuals as well as groups; whether we struggle with our own loneliness or with our community estrangement. Shit happens, life's not one long musical and it can be very painful just to get through another day. We cope by burying our head in the sand and ignoring it; by telling ourselves that all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds - or by living better through chemistry.

What this song has made me realize is that loneliness is a much tougher adversary when battled alone; that the only effective way to combat it is with the support of friends. Now, friends can be family, or anyone that supports you and loves you for who you are - blemishes and all. They are there when you need them - whether you ask for it or not.

I am blessed with having such friends. I was going through a particularly bad spell this sumer. And I did what a lot of people do when they are wounded; I drew into myself. I didn't want to see anyone or hear from anyone. In fact, I rescinded an invitation to drop by my place rather abruptly. Well, that didn't go over well. A couple of my friends came knocking on my door anyway. They did not catch me in my best Martha Stewart moment.

I was angry, sad and feeling very vulnerable. They were just there and watched the soap opera. It was the first time in a long, long while when I can actually say that I was totally unguarded. I was a mess and guess what; they liked me, they really liked me. It was rather embarrassing.

So after a lot of wine and tears, they left and I was left feeling exhausted and humbled. This truly caught me off guard.

Has my life turned around? No. Do I still think, "Why bother?", yes. But, I also know that I have friends and a husband that won't let me quit. And I, as a friend will do what I can to prop up those dear to me. I will be that umbrella in the shit storm.

Take a few minutes and listen to these lyrics. And, I'm sure it will not come as a surprise to "my friends" that I have chosen this beautiful Judy Garland rendition. First, because no one sings hope like the "Over the Rainbow" girl and second, noone can put across a lyric like this icon.

Judy! Judy! Judy!