Buddy Holly (small picture) tribute 50th anniversary since "The Day The Music Died".

You can hear Buddy's original  21st October 1958 recording at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94sJYhfoPC0&feature=related

Many of the wallpapers for Lea were made possible by the kindness of Dan at DDF Productions who made their photo collection available for this purpose.

Thanks very much Dan!

"Smile" - the music for which was introduced in Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece "Modern Times" (1936) co-starring Paulette Goddard.

   

According to the official documents, the music score was composed by Chaplin himself, and arranged with the assistance of Alfred Newman. The romance theme was later given lyrics, and became the pop standard "Smile", first recorded by Nat King Cole and later covered by such artists as Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Trini Lopez, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Michael Bublé, Petula Clark, Liberace, Judy Garland, Madeleine Peyroux, Plácido Domingo and Dionne Warwick, Michael Jackson and Robert Downey, Jr. (included on the soundtrack for the film Chaplin).

During a European tour promoting City Lights, Chaplin got the inspiration for Modern Times from both the lamentable conditions of the continent through the Great Depression, along with a conversation with Mahatma Gandhi in which the Indian complained about "machinery with only consideration of profit".^[3]

Chaplin began preparing the film in 1934 as his first "talkie", and went as far as writing a dialogue script and experimenting with some sound scenes. However, he soon abandoned these attempts and reverted to a silent format with synchronized sound effects. The dialogue experiments confirmed his long-standing conviction that the universal appeal of the Tramp would be lost if the character ever spoke on screen. Most of the film was shot at "silent speed", 18 frames per second, which when projected at "sound speed", 24 frames per second, made the slapstick action appear even more frenetic. Available prints of the film now correct this. The duration of filming was long, beginning on October 11, 1934 and ending on August 30, 1935.

From Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Times_(film)

Slide show and the above song at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3gkBMuyq8U&feature=related

The words from this lovely but sad song song are taken from "Aubrey" composed and sung by David Gates of "Bread" (the most famous "soft rock" band) in 1972.  Amongst their best known songs are "Make It With You" (1970), "Baby I'm A Want You" (1971) "If" "The Guitar Man" (1972) "Sweet Surrender", "Lost Without Your Love" (1977) and "Goodbye Girl" (1978  - the title song of the movie "The Goodbye Girl").

 "BREAD"
(David Gates on is the left)

From the Web:

Two Southern musicians, David Gates of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and James Griffin of Memphis, Tennessee, were struck simultaneously by a bolt of ambition, and in 1962 found their separate paths to Los Angeles, California, where music seemed to be flourishing with great potential for talented people to express themselves creatively. Both David and James were constantly honing their skills as writers, instrumentalists, and arrangers in many musical circles around L.A., plugging their songs and penning tunes for a litany of contemporaneous recording artists.

In the meantime, a singer and guitarist, Rob Royer, had been co-writing with Jim Griffin with good success. "For All We Know," 1970 Oscar winner for Song of the Year, was one of the results of that collaboration. David Gates was asked, by now legendary music figure Russ Regan, to produce a project featuring Royer as vocalist for the group Pleasure Faire. It was in the context of this project that Gates, Griffin, and Royer, the nucleus of Bread, initially met, developed friendships, and the wheels started turning.

Likely, it was the contrast and standing apart from the "band" wagon (pun intended) of the revolutionary and counter culture bands which were dominating the scene then...the Doors, Canned Heat, Iron Butterfly, etc. that drew attention their way. Moreso, Gates and friends were into melody, harmony and exploring the chemistry they each brought to the studio experience. The first fruit of that nucleus, augmented by another Okie, Tulsa born drummer, Jim Gordon, was the album Bread released in January, 1969. "It Don't Matter To Me" and "Dismal Day" were part of that project. David Gates followed up with another ballad, the smash hit "Make It With You." It became obvious that this 'soft rock' approach was going to be the sound that Bread would ultimately become identified with and certainly had a deep connection with as players............(continued)

http://delafont.com/music_acts/david-gates.htm

Bread's 1976 song  "Lost Without Your Love",  performed by its composer David Gates, can be heard at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxgzlDClVuc

   

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=9318

As of today, there have been 33,500 viewings (hits) for Lea's memorial topic at CSS.

In 15 days time, it will be 5 whole years since lovely Lea passed away - but never to be forgotten.

It's Lea' birthday anniversary today, the 26th December. Lea was born on 26th December 1976. 

 

A great song by Ray Noble and sung by Bing Crosby in the early 30's.

(the song on Youtube complete with whistling & spoken part!)

The composers of this song above were Leo Robin and Frederick Hollander. It was recorded by Bing Crosby in Los Angeles on 13th November 1935 with musical accompaniment by Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra. It was written for the film "Anything Goes" (Paramount 1936) starring Bing Crosby and Ethel Merman. 

The wallpaper above is, of course, based on the beautiful "Kiss" photo taken by Chris in Prague in September 2003.

The song, "The Touch of Your Lips" was composed  by British bandleader Ray Noble and recorded by Bing Crosby on 24th March 1936 in Los Angeles for Decca Records, with musical accompaniment by Victor Young and his Orchestra.

The song can be heard at the above link, as recorded by Elvis in 1958 for his movie "King Creole" (Paramount). The song which re-unites him with his father watched on by his sister and girlfriend to end the movie.

"You Are Love"  - an old song from the 1936 movie "Show Boat" sung by Allan Jones and Irene Dunn, composed by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_q3c-YU8aM  (the song)

In the 1951 re-make of the movie, the part of Julie LaVerne was played by the beautiful Ava Gardner.

Ava was in her 28th year when she started making the film. 

The mysterious film "Pandora and The Flying Dutchman" with James Mason was Ava's film before "Showboat" (1951).

      

              Ava Gardner

(Chris's original Prague 2003 photo used - and one that Lea liked)

"THIS HEART OF MINE" (Harry Warren/Arthur Freed)

Maybe it was the music, or the glamorous sky of blue
Maybe it was the mood I was in or maybe it was really you, really you

This heart of mine was doing very well
The world was fine, as far as I could tell
And then quite suddenly, I saw you and I dreamed of gay amours
At dawn, I'll wake up singing sentimental overtures

This heart of mine is gaily dancing now
I taste the wine of real romancing now
Somehow, this crazy world has taken on a wonderful design
As long as life endures, it's yours - this heart of mine

This lovely song was composed for the movie "Ziegfeld Follies" (1946) and sung by Fred Astaire to Lucille Bremer. It was also beautifully recorded by Judy Garland in January 1946 with Victor Young & His Orchestra on the Decca label.

In the movie, Fred dances and sings in an 11½ minute short film playing the part of an unscrupulous jewel thief on the lookout for diamonds to steal at a glamorous party!  - but watch what happens towards the end of the film!  Fred's song starts just after 4 minutes into the film clip. 

Thanks for sharing this tribute with us Vic, great work (as always)

S

My heart is sad and lonely
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I'm all for you, body and soul

I can't believe it, it's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending it looks like the ending
Unless I could have one more chance to prove, dear

My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender
Myself to you, body and soul

(Heyman/Sour/Eyton/Green)

"Body and Soul" - recorded by the young Frank Sinatra on 9th November 1947.  Arranged and conducted by Axel Stordahl. The trumpet player is Bobby Hackett.

"Laughter In The Rain" - the song composed by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody and recorded by Neil Sedaka in 1975 as can be heard below. It reached No.1 in the charts in the USA.

Strolling along country roads with my baby
It starts to rain, it begins to pour
Without an umbrella we're soaked to the skin
I feel a shiver run up my spine
I feel the warmth of her hand in mine

Ooooh, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Ooooh, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

After a while we run under a tree
I turn to her and she kisses me
There with the beat of the rain on the leaves
Softly she breathes and I close my eyes
Sharing our love under stormy skies

Ooooh, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Ooooh, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

I feel the warmth of her hand in mine
Ooooh, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Ooooh, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

Ooooh, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Ooooh, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

From the Web:

Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939) is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard Greenfield and Phil Cody.

Neil Sedaka's autobiography is:  Laughter in the Rain: My Own Story. New York: Putnam 1982. ISBN 0-399-12744-5

Some of his most popular hit songs are:  "Oh! Carol", "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen",  "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", "Calendar Girl",  "That's When The Music Takes Me" and a later recording "Solitaire". Neil Sedaka is due to tour the UK again in October this year.

The young Neil Sedaka is pictured below:

Night and day, you are the one
Only you beneath the moon or under the sun
Whether near to me, or far
It's no matter darling where you are
I think of you
Day and night

Night and day, why is it so
That this longing for you follows wherever I go
In the roaring traffic's boom
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you
Day and night

Night and day
Under the hide of me
There's an oh such a hungry yearning burning inside of me
And this torment won't be through
Til you let me spend my life making love to you
Day and night, night and day

The song "Night and Day" was composed by Cole Porter and originally introduced in the 1932 show "Gay Divorce" sung by Fred Astaire.  The song is said to be Cole Porter's most popular contribution to the Great American Songbook and has been recorded by dozens of artists. Fred Astaire sang it again in the RKO 1934 film version of the show, renamed "The Gay Divorcee", and it became one of his signature pieces. The film was re-named after objections to the original title (gay = happy).

The song became very well-known after Frank Sinatra's 1956 recording on "Capitol" records - he made 3 versions of the song one earlier, another later.  In the later version the introductory words were also dramatically sung.

These are:-

Like the beat, beat, beat of the tom tom
When the jungle shadows fall
Like the tick, tick, tock of the stately clock
As it stands against the wall.
Like the drip, drip, drip of the raindrops
When a jungle shower is through.
So a voice within me keeps repeating you, you, you.

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/198764/Reveille-with-Beverly-Movie-Clip-Night-and-Day.html

This rare clip that can be seen at the URL above is from a 1943 wartime cameo film appearance by the young Frank Sinatra (with curly hair and looking like the teenage idol he then was) gently singing Cole Porter's "Night and Day". 

From the Web  Reveille with Beverly (1943) is an American film starring Ann Miller, Franklin Pangborn, and Larry Parks directed by Charles Barton, released by Columbia Pictures, based on the "Reveille with Beverly" Radio Show hosted by Jean Ruth Hay. It is also the name of the subsequent soundtrack album. The film featured a number of notable cameo appearances, from such important big band era musicians as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, The Mills Brothers, Bob Crosby, Vernon Alley, Freddie Slack, and Ella Mae Morse.

It's not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me
Oh no, it's just the nearness of you

It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation
Oh no, it's just the nearness of you

When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams come true

I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me the right
To hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness of you

(Hogey Carmichael)

sung by Frank Sinatra is this 1960's recording..

Another Autumn is here, though the weather in London UK at present is quite summer-like with blue skies and sunshine.

The very first wallpaper for the forums was made by computer expert Donati in China with the words of "Autumn Leaves" and a part of one of Lea's favourite photos taken by Chris Danneffel in a local Park in Prague in September 2003. I have extended the original photo a little and added a new background of Autumn leaves of red and gold, as below.

Observe Lea's beautiful eyes!

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hands, I used to hold

Since you went away, the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall.

(Joseph Kosma/Jacques Provert/Johnny Mercer)

The above song "Autumn Leaves" was a 1945 French language song. English words were later composed by USA songwriter Johnny Mercer.

The following is included at Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_Leaves

Hi Vic,

You are not alone here! great work from you! Keep this forum alive! Let the Beauty be beautiful

Thank you so much for your efforts Vic. They are very much appreciated and I'm sure there are others who are seeing your fantastic work but aren't posting.

Cheers

Styler