Sun Valley Serenade

70 years ago Twentieth Century Fox had sound stages 17-21 busy making a movie with location shooting in California’s Sun Valley.  Viewing this movie today, you may come to the conclusion that the American lingo has changed almost beyond recognition.  Every word spoken in the film is absolutely coherent, no sub-titles needed thank you – try re-runs of the West Wing or any of the Bourne movies and, hand on heart, did you catch all the dialogue?

In Sun Valley Serenade http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034241/ Sonja Henie performs some breathtaking ice dancing, while John Payne is the romantic lead alternating between Lynn Bari and Sonja (no contest).  Milton Berle and Joan Davis supply comic moments but the star, for me, is the Glenn Miller Orchestra, beautifully choreographed by Hermes Pan and brilliantly filmed and sound-mixed.

I suspect a lot of comedy with Berle and Davis ended up knee-deep on the cutting room floor. I’d have gladly reinstated those moments and dumped some gooey, but short-lived moments with the Hay’s Office inspired ‘love’ scenes.  However, it's a charming movie, nominated for three Oscars with the Miller band performing a classic version of Chattanooga Choo Choo.  Check is out (less than a fiver on Amazon) and ponder … why aren’t they making movies with such clear use of the English language these days in good old Hollywood!

 The Gerry Mulligan Quartet always spring to mind when an increase in petrol prices occurs.  In 1971 I had just bought his album on long play ... that's thirty three and a third revs to the uninititated ...and also, on that same day, our local JET petrol station had reduced petrol prices to 33 pence a gallon.  Now today we have the most expensive petrol probably in the world at $1.30 a litre.  Chet Baker's souful trumpet could well accompany the sad occasion.

That Day at The Conch Awards - Take Two

Two young sound guys complimented on my career and, about to walk away, one glanced down at my new, shiny, Italian fawn leather shoes I had bought for the occasion; 'cool shoes, Ted' ..One of the best compliments of the night.

And, the cab driver, waiting all night after bringing us from home to the depths of Soho, clocked my silver Conch at well past midnight and said, 'it was worth waiting for, Mr. Ted'....

That Day at The Conch Awards

After getting the award, I was sneaking a looksee at the PA sound mix booth where they were heandling a ten piece LA band (rather well, too).  Suddenly, the head of Dolby UK touched me on the shoulder and said 'ah Ted - I see we haven't quite retired, have we?'

Gordon Brown? - NO Michael Jackson? - YES

My TV panel is beginning to get political leaders etched into the pixels (or whatever they are called). David Cameron trying not to be too posh. Nick Clegg pretending he's a peasant and Gordon Brown . . . . . going for the sympathy vote?
Getting visually bored, suddenly remembered I had a birthday present of Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT. Played it all through - mesmerised. What a talent he was. The dvd is brilliant linkling previous concerts with rehearsals for O2 and by using the same backing tracks the edits were seamless and the result captivating.

Voting-wise, MJ wins, hands down.

Ash Wednesday?

Is it Ash Wednesday tomorrow? Why not, it's been that all week according to 'official' reports . . . . I've been looking up to see airplane trails and any signs of ashy type clouds - zilch. Being within the Heathrow, Luton and Stanstead corridor also been listening for jet engines . . . . zilch, just lotsa birds we don't normally hear.   Has all this been a health and safety edict? Makes you wonder?  Er, hang about - went out to the car this morning, a thin layer of gray ash all over it . . . . . gulp!

Lookin' and Listenin' - Searching for Dorothy?

Enjoying the search for Dorothy on BBC with Lord Webber et al? Good. It's the nearest thing you'll get to light entertainment these days. Ten hopefuls left, all looking lovely, although a couple would do better auditioning for CHICAGO. Surely Dorothy searching Over The Rainbow should be almost waif-like?
Lovely lighting and choreography but when I close my eyes are all the solo performing young ladies singing in their bathrooms? Last week's closing number featuring all the cast is excellent live sound. The whole show is expertly directed. 10 out of 10 for production values.

Lookin' and Listening - Vincent and Bob Dylan

Never really cared much for the music of Bob Dylan - too engrossed in jazz, I suppose? But got talking to this teenager (I'll call him Vincent), he looked a typical loser, hooded, pallid and badly presented. Although fighting a drug problem, chain smoking and appearing outwardly sad, in a ten minute flurry of articulate wordage he explained to me that even though the lyrics of Dylan songs read brilliantly on paper, when sung by the master himself they convey hidden depths of understanding and truth. Every word, every nuance, Vincent explained, should be savoured and mulled. The problems of the world were all contained therein, just listen, learn and understand.

Vincent had every Dylan ever released and a few acetates that weren't. This pallid boy could write a million words on Dylan despite resembling a typical inner city drop-out. Never judge a book, etc.. . . . I'm going to catch up on some Dylan, you convinced me Vince, never too late to teach an old dog.

Lookin' and Listening

Been having a trawl around the music channels - pleasantly surprised. used to be sixty video cuts per minute and little else. now, some good stuff, very inventive directing and; is it my imagination but are the artistes getting better, more polished?   The rap stuff leaves me cold - should be on radio. Watching a bloke mime at three words a second is . . . yawn city. Thing that sticks out . . . digital pictures and sound - wow! we take it all for granted but the quality is remarkable. Mind you, everything seems to heavily feature lots of lovely young ladies . . . . comment not complaint!  They still photograph a singer from ten different angles via fast cutting, no time to suss emotion in the performance. Check out Petula Clark singing everytime we say goodbye on the following clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2EAHN3YTlk   The whole song in one shot, see her expressions - you can tell that what she's singing, she means it. It's my fav version of that song.

Lookin' and listening

Saw the delightful Pixie Lott on telly - least I think she's delightful? Couldn't see her face 'cos it was hidden by a huge microphone, the type you see at rock concerts - big enough to have a bit of advertising on - like 'beer is best' or some other slogan. Why do it Pixie dear? There's a way to be seen and heard at your best - it's called microphone technique. Watch the Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme clip on YouTube.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7SpCHziEZs