holiday music - 'zat you, santa claus? - louis armstrong and the commanders

Today's favorite holiday song discovery is Louis Armstrong's "Zat you, Santa Claus?" from 1953.

There is a remix version available, too:

But I like the original best, it has a real, live, nightclub performance feel to it.

bohemian rhapsody: freddie mercury, gay superhero

Rami Malek does an amazing job of portraying Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody. The film takes a pretty typical showbiz road-to-success route, with more than a few inaccuracies. But even with its faults, it serves up a great deal of wonderful rock music, supported by Malek's sensitive portrayal of Freddie. Some viewers may feel that the depiction of Mercury's sexuality is handled too subtly, but I think that is missing the larger impact of the film, which is still performing in the top five at the box office in the U.S. and is currently the highest-grossing musical biographical film of all time. Everyone has always loved, and still loves, Freddie, no matter who he loved.

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury in concert

So many movies that hit it big at the box office these days are comic-derived fantasies, like the X-Men franchise, also directed by Bohemian Rhapsody's Bryan Singer. It occurred to me after viewing the film that Freddie and Queen's story may be resonating with audiences because it is cast as a similar misfit hero's journey. Teenage Freddie Mercury (born in Zanzibar as Farrokh Bulsara, an Indian-British Parsi) moved to England in 1964. He is an outsider, a misfit, ridiculed for his large overbite and called "Paki." But Farrokh has a secret identity as a musician (as well as secret urges he is trying to come to terms with). He changes his name to Freddie Mercury and displays his superpower — amazing musical talent, stage presence, and the four-octave range of an angel. Freddie bonds with fellow outcasts, and the quartet calls itself Queen and becomes a force to be reckoned with. They take over the world, but have to confront their share of villains, including Freddie's lover-manager Paul Prenter (Allen Leech) and a clueless record exec (Mike Myers).

There were many negative critiques of the film on its release, particularly about the handling of Mercury's sexuality, but that hasn't stopped audiences from finding and adoring the film. That may be partly because the power of the professional reviewer has waned — thanks to the internet anyone can review and rate anything these days. But the film's huge success may also reflect the modern audience's reaction to Freddie's sex and love life. Sexuality is viewed in a more fluid and open sense these days. In a key moment in the film Freddie confesses to his girlfriend and fiancée Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton) that he thinks he is bisexual, and she corrects him, "No, Freddie, you're gay." This interchange straddles the past and the present. People who lived through the AIDs epidemic and lost friends, lovers, and family may relate to Mary's needing Freddie to be true to himself and come out in an open way. Younger viewers may be seeing Freddie's lack of desire to define himself sexually as something they can relate to, and his subsequent AIDs diagnosis as a piece of history from the recent past. Bohemian Rhapsody's Freddie spends the film coming to terms with his sexuality, as it relates to his family, his religious and ethnic background, his status as a rock god, and his quest to balance sex and love.

Mary Austin: What do you want from me, Freddie?
Freddie Mercury: Almost everything.

Freddie Mercury portrayed by Malek is flamboyant, outrageous, and larger-than-life — onstage. He seems happiest, most at home when he is performing before an audience. Queen's music spanned genres as diverse as arena rock, 50's doo-wop, and opera, and Freddie's exuberant vocals and stage persona are a match for any and every musical style. As I watched Malek recreate Mercury's signature posturing it became apparent that rock and roll lead singers, gay or straight, present themselves similarly as strutting sexual objects of desire.

Bohemian Rhapsody bookends its story with practically a shot-for-shot recreation of Queen's epic performance at Live Aid in 1985. To amp up the drama the film plays fast and loose with the facts, having Freddie receive his AIDs diagnosis right before the concert. In reality he was diagnosed with HIV in late 1986 or 1987. It also portrays Freddie's having a solo career as leading to the band's fracture, but Queen never broke up, and all the band members pursued solo projects at different times over the years. While the film does portray Freddie's long-term relationships with Mary Austin (who he is quoted as saying he considered her his common-law wife), as well as his partner at the end of his life, Jim Hutton (Aaron McCusker), it skips any other lasting relationships he may have had, apart from the aforementioned Paul Prenter, who is portrayed as a predatory user who was trying to control Freddie's career and  limit his contact with the outside world by plying him with drugs and other distractions. Prenter, like Freddie, died in 1991. The film does depict Freddie's relationships that probably no one will argue with: his great and abundant love of cats, of which he had many over the years.

It's probably not possible to have a "true" film biography of anyone as iconic as Freddie Mercury. For all of his onstage campiness and theatrics he was also notoriously private in his home life. The surviving members of Queen — Brian May (Gwilym Lee), Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy), and John Deacon (Joe Mazzello) had been open to and involved in making a film about the band for ages. First in 2010, it was cast with Sacha Baron Cohen in the lead, who left the project. He was succeeded by actor Ben Whishaw, and director Dexter Fletcher, who both came and went. In 2017 Rami Malek stepped in to play the central role of Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury, and Bryan Singer replaced Fletcher. During filming Singer left the project under a cloud (he was fired for "unexplained absences"), but he is still credited as director. Dexter Fletcher returned to finish directing the film after Singer left, and received an executive producer credit. Lots of changes, but also pretty typical for a Hollywood film.

I have wanted to see Bohemian Rhapsody since viewing trailers a year or so ago. It did not disappoint me or my fourteen year-old daughter, who had lots of questions afterward, about the 80s and AIDs as well as wanting to download every Queen song ASAP, and wanting to watch the original footage of the band's appearance at Live Aid. It's impossible not to walk away from the movie without marveling at the band's versatility and uniqueness and Freddie's amazing talent. Bohemian Rhapsody is uplifting and heartbreaking as it charts Freddie's course. Malek has appeared in many interviews detailing his preparation for the role, which included a movement coach and mastering some very impressive false teeth. But as marvelous as he is at portraying Freddie onstage, what leaves the biggest impression are his quiet moments, as he grapples with his needs and never-ending loneliness when he isn't onstage:

Jim Hutton: So all your friends have left you alone.
Freddie Mercury: They’re not my friends, not really. They’re distractions.
Jim Hutton: From what?
Freddie Mercury: The in-between moments I suppose. I find me intolerable. All of the darkness you thought you’d left behind comes creeping back in.

happy one-hit wonder day

Venus, by Shocking Blue

My Sharona, The Knack

I Melt With You, Modern English

You Get What You Give, New Radicals

Groove Is In the Heart, Deee-Lite

You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record) - Dead Or Alive

favorite movie #40: the thing called love

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #40 - The Thing Called Love (1993) - Peter Bogdonavich sets the film around Nashville's Bluebird Cafe, a showcase for new aspiring singer-songwriters. Samantha Mathis's Miranda Presley (no relation) rides a bus all the way from the Big Apple to take her shot. Along the way she meets Linda Lue (Sandra Bullock) and enters into a love triangle of sorts with James (River Phoenix) and Kyle (Dermot Mulroney) — but is there any doubt who will spark her interest? Although the film presents an easier path to success than must be the case, the quartet is charming to watch the the setting is appealing. The romance, although an intrinsic part of the plot, is not the central story, but just a part of Miranda's pursuit of her dream, which is refreshing. There's no fairy tale ending, but hope for the future. Sadly, this was Phoenix's last film.

favorite movie #33: baby driver

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #33 - Baby Driver (2017) - This movie just starts and never quits. Its beautifully choreographed and witty opening title scene sets the tone.

Ansel Elgort plays Baby, a tinnitus-plagued getaway driver who is trying t earn enough money to support his deaf foster father Joseph (CJ Jones). His employer Doc (Kevin Spacey) plans a variety of heists with criminals of varying talents (John Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Flea, Eiza González, Jon Bernthal). To help him get through his day and to drown out the tinnitus baby makes recordings, not only of his favorite tunes, but of snippets of conversation. He meets a waitress named Debora (Lily James) and the two soon become smitten with one another. Great movie, great soundtrack and choreography (of actors and driving scenes.)

you're a mean one, mr. grinch

Maybe we never really get past our eight year-old selves, as my all-time favorite holiday song still has to be ...

It's the perfect combination of fabulous vocals and clever lyrics. "the tree words that describe you are, and I quote, 'Stink, stank, STUNK!'" Great song, great cartoon.

Merry Christmas!

god rest ye merry gentlemen

I love the relaxed vibe The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan take with this clever combo of two of my favorite traditional carols, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "We Three Kings of Orient Are."

white christmas

I love the film White Christmas and Bing Crosby still has the definitive version of the song, but The Drifters' rendition is my favorite.

when bowie met der bingle

Another of my favorite holiday songs is "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy," by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. I remember watching this Christmas special, "Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas," on TV when it first aired in 1977. I can still see myself, sitting with my dad in the living room, our worlds colliding, as this odd couple sang this duet. It's sad and strange that the holiday season is the only time we get to hear these two guys on the radio these days ...

favorite xmas songs

It's that time of year again, with holiday lights and music piped in everywhere you go. It can be really annoying, but, I have to admit, that they are are more than a few holiday songs that I look forward to hearing every year. I'll be posting them on my blog all month, up until Xmas. To start things off, here is one of my favorites, a bluesy take on the holiday by The Eagles. Anyone else hear echoes of another favorite song of mine, The Bee Gees rendition of "Oh, Darling" by the Beatles?

sounds like ...

David Guetta's new song, "Hey Mama," featuring Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha, and Afrojack sounds a bit reminiscent of Rihanna. But whatever they're doing, it's working. It's great, and fun to listen to.

favorite song friday: the triumph of world music

The song "(Habibi) I Need Your Love" by Shaggy, Mohombi, Faydee and Costi is a true world music hit, featuring the influences of the artists from many different backgrounds, including Jamaican/American (Shaggy), Cogolese/Swedish (Mohombi), Australian/Lebanese (Faydee), and Romanian (Costi). The song is in Arabic ["Habibi" means "My Love"], English, and Spanish. And to give it an even more global spin the video was shot in Spain. But mostly it is just a fun song to listen and move to.

favorite may day song friday

Today is May Day, which heralds the rites of Spring, but has also been designated as International Workers Day. I thought I'd share two fun, and in one case, funny, songs to celebrate and commemorate the moment.

favorite song friday: low budget

I've been listening to the Kinks album Low Budget lately and am struck by how Ray Davies's songs about how times are tough all over still resonates today — maybe even more strongly than when it was originally released in 1979.

Brothers Ray (L) and Dave Davies of The Kinks

I'm shopping at Woolworth and low discount stores
I'm dropping my standards so that I can buy more

...

Art takes time, time is money
Money's scarce and that ain't funny
Millionaires are things of the past
We're in a low budgetville where nothing can last
Money's rare there's none to be found
So don't think I'm tight if I don't buy a round

I'm on a low budget
What did you say
Yes I'm on a low budget
I thought you said that
I'm on a low budget
I'm a cut price person in a low budget land

The entire album is great, but "Low Budget," "Catch Me Now I'm Falling," "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman," "A Gallon of Gas," and "Misery" are favorites.

favorite song friday: lay me down

The Sam Smith song "Lay Me Down" was already a hit, but its recent remix with John Legend is over-the-top great.

Sam can certainly sing, and beautifully, but will someone please buy him a puppy? Enough with the heartbreak tunes already, guy.

These two men's voices do blend together beautifully.

favorite song friday: the ballad of lucy jordan

Flipping through my iTunes the other day I came across this oldie but goodie from Marianne Faithfull, "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan." Her album, Broken English, was huge with all of my art school friends and myself. I think I first became aware of the song when it was featured in a Swedish film, Montenegro. We had the album on nonstop rotation in the '80s. The ethereal tune also shows up on the soundtrack of Thelma and Louise.

... She could clean the house for hours
Or rearrange the flowers
Or run naked through the shady street
Screaming all the way

At the age of 37
She realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car
With the warm wind in her hair ...

The lyrics are written by Shel Silverstein (!)

favorite song friday: it's only rock 'n' roll

It's not summer yet, but whenever I hear oldies but goodies like this one on the radio I can't help but think of the summertime ...

If I could dig down deep in my heart
Feelings would flood on the page
Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya

favorite song friday: middle of the road

I have always like Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, a true, kick-ass rock star. I've always liked this song, "Middle of the Road," too, but it seems to have even more relevance to my life these days.

The middle of the road is trying to find me
I'm standing in the middle of life with my plans behind me ...

The middle of the road is no private cul-de-sac
I can't get from the cab to the curb
Without some little jerk on my back
Don't harass me, can't you tell
I'm going home, I'm tired as hell
I'm not the cat I used to be
I got a kid, I'm thirty-three 

Baby, get in the road
Come on now
In the middle of the road
Yeah

favorite song friday : i wanna be loved by you

The incomparable, never sexier Marilyn Monroe, from Some Like it Hot.

favorite song friday: off to the races

I've been listening to Lana Del Rey's Ultraviolence on long-ish car rides. I love it so much. It's got a great mix of retro and what's happening right now. Her phrasing, quirky line readings. One of the most infectious, fun tracks is "Off to the Races," a Billie Holiday-esque song about modern, substance-soaked love. It's naughty and nice. I love it.

"Light of his life, fire of his loins
Keep me forever, tell me you own me
Light of your life, fire of your loins
Tell me you own me, gimme them coins

And I'm off to the races, cases of Bacardi chasers
Chasing me all over town
Cause he knows I'm wasted, facing
Time again at Riker's Island and I won't get out
Because I'm crazy, baby I need you to come here and save me
I'm your little scarlet, starlet singing in the garden
Kiss me on my open mouth

Now I'm off to the races, laces
Leather on my waist is tight and I am fallin' down
I can see your face is shameless, Cipriani's basement
Love you but I'm going down
God I'm so crazy, baby, I'm sorry that I'm misbehaving
I'm your little harlot, starlet, Queen of Coney Island
Raising hell all over town
Sorry 'bout it"

Here she is performing it live: