Although...she didn't want to use the same restroom as everyone else, so the studio built her one for her personal use. Mike the Projectionist, a big burly guy with a beard - classic union man - snuck in there before it opened and urinated all over the toilet seat. She never used it. Crazy days at the old MGM studios. Now, the Hollywood studios are like ghost towns as all the productions have gone overseas. Everything is digital and AI and there's no need for Mike and the old guys who worked with real film.
Hmm. I don't know what movie stars did and didn't expect from studios, but as a lady I'd have had an opinion about anyone -- union or not -- doing that. I absolutely agree with you that now we have no real movies and likewise music. Everything is retreads with AI and digital effects. The heart has gone out of the industry.
It was the wild west back then (figuratively and literally.) In the 18 years or so I worked in the film industry, I knew only two Christians. It's a lot more sedate now but a lot less creative.
Ah yes. I can believe that. We generally stopped seeing new movies about three decades ago. The great old films had set the barre high in too many ways --even for children's movies. Art across the board took a nose dive.
Amy, I was trying to do justice to Barbra Streisand's talent as a singer, and I had no idea that she'd written the tune for "Evergreen" -- which happened to be the word Tony chose for the this week. I love the tune, though you'll note that I played down the lyrics by Paul Williams, who was known for such works as the theme to "The Love Boat." The lyrics were commissioned for the film, which is not a favorite of mine (I rarely like remakes, and nowadays those seem to make up about half of all modern movies and TV shows). But the tune? It won the Grammy for Song of the Year when everything had gone to hard rock and disco was waiting in the wings. I wanted to give Barbra a little credit for keeping the standards alive when they were fading from the music scene. That's what I had in mind, really.
AW, gee! Thank you! I really needed to cover Barbra Streisand .. but I also needed the right word of the week. Tony surprised me with "evergreen," and that settled it! And of course there's a lot more to the story .. for another day and another song.
I was a Sound Editor on Striesand's "The Mirror Has Two Faces" where I learned how to mix mayonnasie and katchup as a dip for fries. We had heard a lot of bad things about working with her but she was very professional. I was only on the dubb stage once with her and I was too terrified to even look at her. Looking back, I wish I had at least said hello.
I have a new laptop with a very soft speaker volume, even if I turn it all the way up. NOT for listening to a Streisand song. I called this one up on the TV and cranked the volume UP.
I was wondering when you’d get around to Barbra. I remember hearing her sing “Happy Days are here again” back in 1963, and stopping everything to listen to that incredible voice.
Yes, I have heard her version of that great old song, and it was brilliant, slowed down. So wistful. I think that the first songs I heard her sing -- on the radio, certainly -- were "People" and "On a Clear Day." What a voice.
I used to sing this lovely song as a prelude to weddings in the seventies and eighties. I had forgotten how great a song it is. Thanks for reminding me.
I can see how this song might have been much-requested prelude in those days. It is a very pretty tune and it is a love song. I did a little wedding singing, too, but in simple setting with just a guitar. :)
I'm a fan of liturgical appropriateness, but sometimes what is banned is beautiful and what is permitted, while it passes a low bar for "correctness," is as ugly as sin. At the one end, we have a sort of beauty which is not suited to church but is fine in other settings -- wedding receptions, let's say. And on the other end, we have what is sacred marred by silly (sometimes to the point of heresy) or inept music. Alas.
Although...she didn't want to use the same restroom as everyone else, so the studio built her one for her personal use. Mike the Projectionist, a big burly guy with a beard - classic union man - snuck in there before it opened and urinated all over the toilet seat. She never used it. Crazy days at the old MGM studios. Now, the Hollywood studios are like ghost towns as all the productions have gone overseas. Everything is digital and AI and there's no need for Mike and the old guys who worked with real film.
Hmm. I don't know what movie stars did and didn't expect from studios, but as a lady I'd have had an opinion about anyone -- union or not -- doing that. I absolutely agree with you that now we have no real movies and likewise music. Everything is retreads with AI and digital effects. The heart has gone out of the industry.
It was the wild west back then (figuratively and literally.) In the 18 years or so I worked in the film industry, I knew only two Christians. It's a lot more sedate now but a lot less creative.
Ah yes. I can believe that. We generally stopped seeing new movies about three decades ago. The great old films had set the barre high in too many ways --even for children's movies. Art across the board took a nose dive.
I fail to get it about this song.
Amy, I was trying to do justice to Barbra Streisand's talent as a singer, and I had no idea that she'd written the tune for "Evergreen" -- which happened to be the word Tony chose for the this week. I love the tune, though you'll note that I played down the lyrics by Paul Williams, who was known for such works as the theme to "The Love Boat." The lyrics were commissioned for the film, which is not a favorite of mine (I rarely like remakes, and nowadays those seem to make up about half of all modern movies and TV shows). But the tune? It won the Grammy for Song of the Year when everything had gone to hard rock and disco was waiting in the wings. I wanted to give Barbra a little credit for keeping the standards alive when they were fading from the music scene. That's what I had in mind, really.
I see.
And when you had to face the music, you did so with your usual trademark grace. 🎶
AW, gee! Thank you! I really needed to cover Barbra Streisand .. but I also needed the right word of the week. Tony surprised me with "evergreen," and that settled it! And of course there's a lot more to the story .. for another day and another song.
I was a Sound Editor on Striesand's "The Mirror Has Two Faces" where I learned how to mix mayonnasie and katchup as a dip for fries. We had heard a lot of bad things about working with her but she was very professional. I was only on the dubb stage once with her and I was too terrified to even look at her. Looking back, I wish I had at least said hello.
Close brushes with greatness! I've heard that she was a pro, and kind of all business. I believe it, too.
As soon as I saw the theme for the week, this song popped into my head! Absolutely love this song & it's so nice to hear it!
I knew that some of our readers would be expecting it, haha! It is a beautiful tune.
So beautiful!
I have a new laptop with a very soft speaker volume, even if I turn it all the way up. NOT for listening to a Streisand song. I called this one up on the TV and cranked the volume UP.
I was wondering when you’d get around to Barbra. I remember hearing her sing “Happy Days are here again” back in 1963, and stopping everything to listen to that incredible voice.
Yes, I have heard her version of that great old song, and it was brilliant, slowed down. So wistful. I think that the first songs I heard her sing -- on the radio, certainly -- were "People" and "On a Clear Day." What a voice.
I used to sing this lovely song as a prelude to weddings in the seventies and eighties. I had forgotten how great a song it is. Thanks for reminding me.
I can see how this song might have been much-requested prelude in those days. It is a very pretty tune and it is a love song. I did a little wedding singing, too, but in simple setting with just a guitar. :)
I did the same at weddings as well, back when things weren't quite so liturgically correct! A beautiful song!
I'm a fan of liturgical appropriateness, but sometimes what is banned is beautiful and what is permitted, while it passes a low bar for "correctness," is as ugly as sin. At the one end, we have a sort of beauty which is not suited to church but is fine in other settings -- wedding receptions, let's say. And on the other end, we have what is sacred marred by silly (sometimes to the point of heresy) or inept music. Alas.