I've been watching The Judy Garland Show on DVD. Episode #9, which aired on October 6, 1963, featured Barbra Streisand as a guest star. They sing their now famous counterpoint duo, which is perhaps my three most favorite minutes of television ever. Well, that and when Spike went into labor on Degrassi Junior High. But back to Judy and Babs.
Judy is singing 'Get Happy' while Barbra sings 'Happy Days Are Here Again.' It's an amazing performance that haunts me each time I hear mention of either performer, or either song. That moment in history will forever prove, at least to me, that opposites do attract. The old school and the new, a legend and one in the making, tragedy and comedy.
My future husband, whoever that may be, will be required to own that song and be able to sing it with me on command. I'll be Judy and he can be Barbra. We can sing it together during our morning shower. [ Side note to potential suitors: You better be able to sing... ]
In a fit of nostalgia brought on by Judy and company, I went digging through my collection for some oldies-but-goodies. A tour through the chaos that I call my music collection is like walking down Ashland Avenue from the North side to the South. You pass through nearly every kind of neighborhood, from good to bad.
The first track that got me moving was an Ella Fitzgerald song with Duke Ellington called 'So Danco Samba ( Jazz Samba ) ' which is a delicious examples of Ella dancing around her vocal range, scatting the entire time. Her death in the summer of 1996 hit me hard, and for months I listened to nothing but her Cole Porter songbook.
A little more modern, but with one of those distinct voices that sticks with you, I found my copy of 'Relish' by Joan Osborne. Her voice has a double edge; raspy and sharp in the low end and caramel smooth in the highs. 'One Of Us' hit the charts high when the album arrived, but the opening track 'St. Teresa' is my favorite.
And while I'm stuck on raspy voices, I dusted off my copy of 'Melissa Etheridge' and bounced around the house playing the air guitar to 'Bring Me Some Water.' It was a very lesbian moment. I felt so butch. Which meant it was time to camp it up.
After months of missing it, I nearly fell over when my copy of 'Love Hangover, the Disconet Extended Edit' suddenly appeared. It is ten and a half minutes of sweet, sweet, love hangover. The breakdown that starts at the five minute mark is worth every penny I spent for my copy, and if you love Miss Ross, you'll love this mix. Transforming into the antithesis of butch, I proceeded to prance around my place like I was Miss Jay Alexander at a drag ball. Except I have better hair.
With you in 4/4,
Peter Mavrik
peter@windycitymediagroup.com
radiopeter.com
