I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES — an exhibition entitled Reaction: The Art of Social Commentary is at the Flint, Michigan Institute of Arts through May 7th.
Now in Flint, MichiganHAIL and FAREWELL to the film star Bill Paxton — perhaps the only actor to be killed by a Terminator, a Predator, & an Alien — who has died at the age of 61 … and to the pioneering jazz-rock guitarist Larry Coryell— who will be featured by me in a future Top Comments diary, as one of my favorite musicians — who has died at the age of 73.
THE OTHER NIGHT yours truly hosted the Top Comments diary with a look at Sunday newspapers— which I hope will still be available (in print version) for years to come.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Felix the Railway Cat — who has gone beyond the job of ‘senior pest controller’ to become a beloved part of the rail station in Huddersfield, England — with people visiting just to see her …. and who now has a book deal.
Felix the Railway CatBRAIN TEASER - try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC.
THE SMALL EUROPEAN nation of Moldova reported in 2014 that nearly 1/8 of the poor country’s GDP was stolen from three banks — but good governance, some lucky weather and good wine production, a trade pact with the EU and remittances sent home by emigrés has helped GDP grow by 2% last year.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Xochil the Cat— who went missing during some recent storms in San Antonio, Texas …. but with help from a local TV station, was located.
Xochil the CatMERCIFULLY in upstate New York, the last surviving restaurant of the once thriving Howard Johnson’s chain — which in 1960 hired future celebrity chef Jacques Pépin — is still going strong, complete with orange roof and weather vane.
SEPARATED at BIRTH — two Indiana natives: South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg (who was among the unsuccessful candidates for yesterday’s DNC leadership election) and the former basketball coach at Butler University in Indianapolis, Brad Stevens… who is now the head coach of the Boston Celtics.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg NBA coach Brad Stevens...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… during the 1950's, the U.S. State Department frequently sent famed African-American jazz musicians as "Ambassadors of Good Will" around the world, and trumpeter Louis Armstrong was among them. But it was obvious that the American Dream (being promoted by them) was not truly available to these "ambassadors" …. due to the Jim Crow laws still existing.
So the jazz pianist Dave Brubeck (with his wife Iola providing lyrics) wrote a musical play called The Real Ambassadors as a protest against this injustice.
It was recorded in 1961 with an all-star ensemble (with Armstrong, Carmen McRae and also Lambert, Hendricks & Ross) and performed at the Monterey Jazz festival in 1962. Alas, 1962 was still a tense period: and efforts to bring it to Broadway failed. As Louis Armstrong himself said, "What a shame we couldn't tour with that show -- it had a message, y'know".
Fast forward to 2002: forty years after its last performance, it was again performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival (albeit with different musicians) … and in 2014 was performed at the Jazz at Lincoln Center series. Meanwhile, the Connecticut based vocalist Dianne Mower is fighting-the-good-fight to find financial backers who will provide funding to get "The Real Ambassadors" on Broadway ... 55 years later.
The original album cover Jon Hendricks, Dave & LouisAnd while the album's title track speaks of racial inequality (and I have featured before) ... I'd like to showcase the album's prettiest tune: Summer Song— with lyrics by Iola Brubeck — during this crazy winter of 2016-17.
Dave Brubeck says that Louis Armstrong thanked Iola in writing on the manuscript of this tune and - on the day in July, 1971 that Armstrong died - New York City's all-classical music station broke with tradition and played this song in his honor. And below you can listen to it.
Love, to me is like a summer day Silent 'cause ... there's just too much to say Still and warm and peaceful Even clouds that may drift by Can't disturb our summer skyI'll take summer, that's my time of year Winter's shadow seems to disappear Gay is swanee season That's the reason I can say That I love a summer day
I hear laughter from the swimming hole Kids out fishing with a willow pole Boats come drifting 'round the bend Why must summer ever end?
Love, to me: is like a summer day If it ends ... the memories will stay Still and warm and peaceful Now the days are getting long I can sing my summer song
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