Quote: Vincente Minnelli

Long day today, so I just have a quote to think about from Vincente Minnelli:

"I use colors to bring fine points of story and character."

I think this philosophy is very evident in his work both with set and costume design, and in directing. Minnelli, interested in surrealism, and the work of Van Gogh, also said:

"I always have my coffee without sugar, you know. Just cream."

It all makes sense, if you think about it.

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Poem of the Week: Walt Whitman

I try to do this on Sundays, but hey! So without further delay... Here are two poems by Walt Whitman from 1865. Check your string theory at the door.

When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer

When I heard the learn'd astronomer,
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me
When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them,
When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room,
How soon accountable I became tired and sick,
Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.


A Farm Picture

Through the ample open door of the peaceful country barn,
A sunlit pasture field with cattle and horses feeding,
And haze and vista, and the far horizon fading away.

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The Winter Classic!

Buffalo Sabres' goalie Ryan Miller sporting a toque over his goalie mask in the Winter Classic 2008 Game held in Buffalo
This New Year's Day, at 1 p.m. EST, the National Hockey League (which of course is really the inter-National Hockey League, but I digress) is having its second Winter Classic game. The Winter Classic is the only game ever held outdoors, in honour of the outdoor pond hockey games NHL'ers grew up playing in the frozen depths of winter. The weather however, is forecast to be cloudy and around 30 degrees... in contrast to last year's snowstorm at the Buffalo venue.

This year the host site is Wrigley Field in Chicago, with host team Chicago Blackhawks facing off against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings... both Original Six clubs, who will be wearing vintage-theme jerseys. Preparations have been going on for months and it is the toughest regular-season ticket ever in Chicago!


The hosting Blackhawks, off to a mediocre start this season, have been improving steadily, especially as of late in anticipation of the day. The Red Wings, as usual, are a formidable opponent lodged at the top of the league, and bound to rise to the occasion even in hostile territory. This is not a festive event only, 2 points between two rivals are at stake.


Some interesting trivia: Wings' goaltender Ty Conklin played in last year's Classic with the winning Pittsburgh Penguins, and also played in the only other previous outdoor game, the 2003 Heritage Classic in Edmonton, Alberta. In addition, hockey legend Scotty Bowman, fresh off 15 years with the Red Wings' organization in a variety of roles from coach to special advisor, and whose expertise was instrumental in the modern success of the team, is now Chicago's senior advisor for hockey operations. Also, offensive defenseman Brian "Soupy" Campbell scored the only regulation goal for Buffalo in last year's Classic and is now (after a brief unmemorable stint with the top-ranked San Jose Sharks) with the Blackhawks.

Overtime scene from 2008 Winter Classic
If you are a hockey fan, you already know all this, and are probably just as excited as I am. If you are not a hockey fan, I highly recommend checking it out, even if just for a few minutes at the start to get a feel for it. If you are looking for a break from football, parades, etc., or aren't into them in the first place, try tuning in. The Winter Classic is a very special event, and exciting for both players and spectators, if last year is any measure.

1 p.m. EST: NBC in the U.S., CBC/RDS in Canada



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Editor's Update: This year's classic won by the Red Wings, 6-4 after a weak first period and coming back with five unanswered goals, was of course a success with players, fans, and the league. Unlike last year's poignant and picturesque snowy play into the darkness, this year's ice stayed nice and crisp under cloudy, then clearing, skies over the historic and photogenic Wrigley Field. The exciting and competitive game left everyone, even the defeated, pleased with the event, from the ceremonial puckdrop presided over by Blackhawk alumni Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull to the traditional playoff post-game handshake ceremony exhibited at the end.

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Put On Your Dancing Shoes

Post-Holiday Post:

Well, I don't know about you, but my life has been very difficult lately, which I may post about soon, but to top it off, I was very sick all Christmas, so if you're sick, or sick of Christmas, or maybe just sick and tired, here's some upbeat stuff! So "put on your (mental) dancing shoes... watch your spirits climb!"



Pick yourself up, dust yourself, start all over again!

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Dale Warland Singers

For the Christmas holiday, I post a peaceful song from the Dale Warland Singers.

The medieval carol The Friendly Beasts

Enjoy... :)

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Cartoon: Felix 1925

I thought a cute classic Felix cartoon would be in order for today! This is entitled Felix Follows the Swallows. It's a good one if you're feeling cold!

There is no music with this one, btw.

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Poem of the Week: The Sound of the Sea

The Sound of the Sea

The sea awoke at midnight from its sleep,
And round the pebbly beaches far and wide
I heard the first wave of the rising tide
Rush onward with uninterrupted sweep;
A sound mysteriously multiplied
As of a cataract from the mountain's side,
Or roar of winds upon a wooded steep.
So comes to us at times, from the unknown
And inaccessible solitudes of being,
The rushing of the sea-tides of the soul;
And inspirations, that we deem our own,
Are some divine foreshadowing and foreseeing
Of things beyond our reason or control.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

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Today: The Sea in Photograph

In preparation for tomorrow's post, a lovely poem about the sea, I have posted today a photograph I took. The location is the Monterey Peninsula.

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Classic Jazz: Harry, Ella, Jo, Benny

Harry James. Ella Fitzgerald. Jo Stafford. Benny Goodman. All together, all fantastic... Enjoy this one!

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Film Discussion: Indiscreet (1958)

First off, if you haven't seen this film, and you are a fan of either Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Stanley Donen, stunning sets and clothes, location shoots in London, witty repartee, terrific script-writing, romance or just entertaining classic films, you're missing out!

Briefly, the plot has sophisticated and single, highly-successful actress Ingrid meeting the sophisticated and married, highly-successful businessman Cary. They fall in love, but Cary is hiding something, and thus the intrigue, and fun, begins. True, this plot in real life would not apply today, and I hear a lot of people not liking classic films for this reason, but aren't there really a lot of modern films that don't apply to real life also?

For fans of this pairing in Hitchcock's 1946 masterpiece Notorious (which I will be covering in the future as it is one of the top films of all time, IMO), this will not disappoint. Though the feel of the film is entirely different, the chemistry and timing is not.

This film withstands repeated viewings very well. The quality of performance from not only Bergman and Grant, but the supporting cast as well, and overall effort and attention to detail that went into Indiscreet contributes to this. And who wouldn't love that London apartment?

Following is a video of the classic dance scene, in which Anna is clearly not thrilled with the light-hearted and oblivious Cary at this point in the movie!



Btw, if you're curious, the meaning of yellow roses (seen in the credits and film) is joy, and deep caring.

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Musica: Louie, Louie

Something lighter for today, yesterday's post being darker and introspective. So a fun video of The Kingsmen performing "Louie, Louie". People always debate over the lyrics, and there have been a number of versions, with varying lyrics, but I've posted the theoretically official Kingsmen lyrics below. I'll let you debate the rest... The video does end a little oddly edited.

Louie, Louie, oh no,

We gotta go.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby

Louie, Louie, oh baby,

Oh we gotta go.

A fine little girl, she waitin for me;

Me catch a ship across the sea.

I sailed the ship all alone;

Me never think how I make it home

Chorus

Three nights and days I sailed the sea,

Me think of girl oh, constantly.

On the ship, I dream she there;

I smell the rose in her hair.

Chorus

Ok, let’s give it to ‘em! Right now!

Solo

Me see Jamaica moon above;

It won’t be long me see me love.

Me take her in my arms and then

I tell her I never leave again.

Chorus

Let’s take it on outta here now

Let’s go!

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Art: Edvard Munch accompanied by Social Distortion

Night in St.Cloud (1890)

These are some of my favourite paintings by Norwegian Expressionist Edvard Munch (1863-1944). These speak to me as Munch's art is, in his own words, "art created of one's innermost heart". For many years when I would see Munch's painting, I found it unpleasant and threatening, I didn't care for it. It wasn't until I had experienced great grief in my life that I came to appreciate, and love, it.


The Scream (1893)

I find Munch's work comforting, in that it clearly reminds one that no matter the depth of grief, fear, despair, etc., others have felt it. I find this helpful when it seems the whole world is happy and carefree, and uncaring, and even close people to us betray us right at the time we need them most, with no love or compassion. I feel that Munch is saying to us not only, this is the visual expression of what you are feeling, and I have felt it, but also that a sense of caring and warmth of understanding comes through those paintings as well, cold and desperate as they may seem at first.

I have added a song here which I think accompanies this post well: Mike Ness and Social Distortion performing Cold Feelings:

Arlo Guthrie: Timeless

I kind of like the idea of putting up three songs as a mini-setlist, or at least two for comparison. In this case, I have Arlo doing City of New Orleans in 1978, and quite a bit later with the Boston Pops (typically not my favourite). Like Pete Seeger, his appeal is timeless.





A while back I discovered on YouTube Arlo's wife Jackie has a plethora of Arlo's videos up; her site is here. There's really great things there... I highly recommend you check it out if you're a fan of Arlo at all. In the spirit of the season, don't miss Arlo as Santa (the Communist?) in The Pause of Mr. Claus.

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Rachmaninoff: A Brief Encounter

This is Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor op.18, from the soundtrack of the classic British film Brief Encounter (1945), starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. This version is performed by Eileen Joyce, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, and recorded in July of 1946.



Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian Romantic, and this piece is full of lush, bold, sweeping phrases. It was composed during the fall of 1900 into the spring of 1901. The opening moderato movement is the one included here.

Sergei Rachmaninov

I have heard Rachmaninoff, a great pianist in his own right, perform this piece himself, though I still like Eileen Joyce's interpretation the best, by far. The opening sequence has such perfect tension and drama, even if you're not thinking of the film at all... it envelopes your thoughts. I think there's a very good reason Eileen Joyce's interpretation was chosen for the film.

I can get lost in this very easily...

Ochin horosho

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Poem of the Week: Robert Frost

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
- by Robert Frost (1874-1963)







~ ~ ~
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
~ ~ ~


I have always loved this poem, since first reading it as a child. I remember this one, as well as The Road Less Traveled, probably from around first or second grade. I also remember memorizing both, one for school I think. But they have been favourites for me ever since...

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William Powell: Actor Extraordinaire

As I am planning to watch a William Powell film sometime this weekend, I thought a little Powell appreciation is in order.

If you are not a classic film fan like myself, and are not familiar with Mr. Powell in films you are truly missing something, and owe it to yourself to check his work out post haste! He is without a doubt one of the most talented actors of Hollywood's classic era.

His comedic timing is perfect. He can play drama, mystery, leading man... and his charm and wit shine through in every role. I don't know that I've seen a film of his which I didn't like, or didn't think he was good in. Double Wedding is not the best film, but during the filming Powell's longtime love Jean "Mousie" Harlow passed away, and the strain is apparent both on Powell, and co-star Myrna Loy, a good friend of both Harlow and Powell. Yet his professionalism is apparent even under duress.

Powell and Loy are most famous for the Thin Man series, and as much has been said about that classic series, I would like to also recommend their other efforts together, especially Love Crazy and I Love You Again. There are numerous laugh-out-loud moments in both of these, beyond the initial viewing. Please, if you haven't checked out Powell's films in any depth, do him and yourself a favour and do so... I think you'll be glad you did.

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The Evercool Dean Martin

Well... today has to be Dean Martin. Some days it's just that way. With all due respect to Frank Sinatra, Dean was it, in and out of the Rat Pack. The sense of humour, the charm, the tremendous charisma, the wit, the looks, the cool... and even if he didn't have any of that, there's that smooth voice that invites you to grab your favourite partner and Sway...

I've also included in the setlist, in honour of the season (and the snow we theoretically will be getting tonight), Let It Snow.

Did you know... Dean, in addition to his television programs, made over 50 films? From Westerns to musicals to comedies with longtime partner Jerry Lewis. Talk about versatility. They don't make them like him any more - more's the pity.

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Classic Jazz Master: Erroll Garner

For the first jazz post, I'd like to start with just a simple video, but it's of a master of the art, Erroll Garner. Just to watch and listen speaks for itself. I will go into more on Erroll later... but for now, just enjoy...

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Musica: "I Sing I Swim" from Iceland's Seabear

An interesting song from the Icelandic band Seabear. It does have a video, with some nice Icelandic home movies, but I think the song stands on its own. I chose this as the first post as it is one I have recently discovered, and it has kept me company while I have been getting this blog off the ground (which wasn't easy as it took quite a bit longer than I had anticipated, due partly to assorted computer issues!). Lyrics as follows:

When the birds are sleeping, That's when the trees sing
You left your winter clothes, And your teeth marks in my skin
So shake the leaves, off the trees, Watch them float down the stream
Your son, your daughter, Swimming in the water

And I miss you, even when you're around
I'm a black cloud, sending lightning to the ground

So darling please, show your teeth
Just one more dance to help me sleep
Oh girl, cold water eyes
Fill the past with friendly nights
Human skin, can be hard to live in
You'll feel better in the morning
Wash your hands in the lake
You've got a heart, some place

Trails lost in the snow, Make way for winter's eerie glow
And that black rock in your bedroom, I hope you'll climb it soon
In your boat, tied to a tree, I hope you'll find the sea

Throw me a dream please, it's been a dreamless sleep
For such a long time, such a long time
Sing myself awake
Watch the branches break
No one could ever take your place

Wash your face in the lake
You've got a diamond under your skin

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First Edition Post

Greetings and welcome!

Well, I have finally made it into the blogosphere! Having long been dedicated to the idea of a full-fledged, self-designed, do-it-yourself website is the only way to go, viewing blogs (perhaps unfairly) as creatively challenged, I've finally changed my mind. After at least three people have told me over the last year "you should do a blog" it finally sunk in and I surrendered. And the two partially-finished websites sitting on my hard drive echoed the sentiment. I have had in my mind for a long time the idea of having a site (or blog)for a creative outlet, and to share eclectic, random cultural ideas. True, I'd hoped to have complete control over every tiny little detail, enjoying sleepless nights seeking out which part of the code is messing up everything, but you have to be open to new ideas.

I hope this blog will be a place to learn, share and appreciate, just pass the time, or occasionally inspire and create positivity in your day - as others' blogs have inspired me (to go ahead and finally do this blog, for one thing...) So, without further delay, here it is. A mix of creative, cultural, occasionally a little bit intellectual, serious and light... I hope you enjoy it, and participate in the discussions in the comments section!

LadyMadeleine

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