Music

A popular song in Europe. Great 60s style animation

After Weird Al decided to write a parody of Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way”, he asked her consent to do it as a courtesy. She made him record a version she could listen to before she gave him an answer and then she said no. Read the whole story on Weird Al’s blog.

Al doesn’t need her permission to release it but he won’t out of respect, but it’s holding up his new CD. Fortunately, he decided to put it on the internet.

UPDATE: Now Lady Gaga has approved it, saying her manager never sent her the song and was the one who disapproved it. Weird Al is happy, free press for his CD and song.

I’m getting in the mood for Game of Thrones which will premiere tonight on HBO. So I’ve been listening to Rick Wakeman’s great rock opera “King Arthur and the Nights of the Round Table.” If you haven’t heard it, it’s great stuff. Here’s the opening song. The whole CD tells the story of King Arthur in music. He also did albums about the Wives of King Henry V and Journey to the Center of the Earth. All are recommended if you like Progressive Rock.

They show up half way in, but first we see Cab Calloway. A great singer and band leader who almost stole the show in the 1980s Blues Brothers movie. After I saw that film as a young man, I went looking for his earlier work and that got me interested in 30s jazz. The Nicholas Brothers were an amazing dance duo as you can see here. They show up here and there in old Hollywood films. I recommend searching YouTube for their clips.

Here’s another 70s song used in Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs which I found while looking at Rafferty videos. I never saw this before. Had to pass it along. Love the song.

Scottish musical genius Gerry Rafferty back when he was in Steelers Wheel. It’s a shame he flamed out because he was really a tremendous talent. He could have been one of the best of his era. His CD City to City (aka Baker’s Street in America) is almost flawless.

I love this old song which appeared in the game Fallout 3. It’s by Bob Crosby, brother of Bing. He wasn’t as successful as his big brother but he was an excellent musician and had a great band, the Bobcats. His version of Big Noise from Winnetka is also a blast.

Found this great version by Dusty Springfield with an interview with her at the end. Love that song and her version is great.

I have loved this song ever since I first heard it, but never knew what it was saying until now. This is a classical piece of music you have likely heard in many places, from the movie Excalibur to the X-Factor.