[sschweiger]

The Virginia Madsen PF was terrific! A great opportunity to hear some wonderful, not-played-often-enough, recordings such as "If," "Sunny (the Ellington Sound is uniquely special)," "I Believe I'm Gonna Love You," and "It's Sunday!"

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Rita Wilson
Mon., 5/21 at 6:00, Tues., 5/22 at 9:00 pm, Thurs., 5/24 at 9:00 am, Sat., 5/26 at 3:00 pm (All times are ET.)

Tune in this week for an all new edition of Playing Favorites hosted by actor Rita Wilson.



Rita Wilson's Selections:
Somethin' Stupid - Frank Sinatra & Nancy Sinatra
I Could Have Danced All Night - FS
Come Fly with Me - FS
Send in the Clowns - FS
Young at Heart - FS
My Way - FS
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing - FS
Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Rita Wilson
My Funny Valentine - FS
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
I Only Have Eyes for You - FS
Someone to Watch Over Me - FS
Strangers in the Night - FS
The Girl from Ipanema
Never My Love - Rita Wilson
Summer Wind - FS
The Way You Look Tonight - FS
It was a Very Good Year - FS
Nancy with the Laughing Face - FS

[sschweiger]

Thanks, as ever, Leigh Ann! Rita's PF will be terrific, and she recently recorded an album, on which she sounds just fine! Now if only her Husband could get a job...

[Mark Blackburn]

Rita Wilson's show was wonderful – not least for her own interpretation of my favorite love song by Carole King . . . which gave me just the trigger I needed to celebrate that great song of 50 years ago, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (elsewhere at HarmonyCentral – the biggest website for musicians).

Just after Ms Wilson shared her own version of that song, from her brand new album, she had an endearing comment about the definitive version of “My Funny Valentine,” saying (with a smile in her voice):

“In high school on Valentine's Day we had these little things with check boxes that said things like,

'You're sweet,' or 'You're nice,' or 'You're cute.'

“But I always wanted to get one that said, “You're funny!” But there was no 'box' for that!”

Rita Wilson then introduced her favorite (1950's studio version) of MY FUNNY VALENTINE saying,

“It's a beautiful song and ya gotta play it – not just on Valentine's Day but all the time!”

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...als&p=45940250



[Just read Ms Wilson's impressive “filmography” at Wikipedia – and the note about her “personal life,” – and (up-to-the-minute) musical interests:]


Rita Wilson's debut solo album, AM/FM, was released May 8, 2012, on Decca Records. The album will feature classics from the 60s and 70s, including a cover of Wichita Lineman performed with the song's writer, Jimmy Webb.[7][8]

She has been married to actor Tom Hanks since April 1988, with whom she has two sons, Chester, or "Chet"—who has a small part as a student in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and released a rap single in 2011—and Truman. She also has two stepchildren from Tom Hanks' previous marriage, one of them being Colin Hanks. She contributed to the Moffitt Cancer Center by donating "True Hearts" jewelry made of sterling silver and 14k gold. The proceeds will benefit several charities. Wilson credits good friend Rosie O'Donnell as inspiration for her charitable work, particularly with cancer and children's charities.[9] She is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.[10]

In the director's cut of the Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do!, her brief appearance as a cocktail waitress named Marguerite has another scene, in which main character Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) drunkenly calls her Margarita, a reference to Wilson's real-life first name.

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Petula Clark
Monday, 5/28 at 6:00 pm, Tues., 5/29 at 9:00 pm, Thurs., 5/31 at 9:00 am, Sat., 6/2 at 3:00 pm (all times ET)



Petula Clark made her first BBC appearance in 1939 ... the same year that Frank made his first recordings at a NY studio. Her career continues today with live performances around the world and CD sales of new and reissued recordings. She is a world-class entertainer, and she grew up loving Frank’s music. This week, tune in to hear an encore of Playing Favorites as she share her memories and pick out some of her favorite records by Frank and other top-flight artists.

Well Did You Evah? - Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby
Skylark - Ella Fitzgerald
Once In A Lifetime - Sammy Davis Jr.
Love's Been Good To Me
Lover - Peggy Lee
All I Have To Do Is Dream - Petula Clark & Bobby Darin
Don't Sleep In The Subway
Strangers In The Night - Petula Clark
Medley with Petula Clark & Dean Martin
Seasons In The Sun - Petula Clark
I'll Never Smile Again - Tommy Dorsey & Frank Sinatra
Black Is The Color - Jo Stafford
It Was A Very Good Year

[Nancy]

Thanks, Leigh Ann.

[Leigh Ann]

Thanks, Nancy.

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Debbie Boone
Mon., 6/4 at 6:00 pm, Tues., 6/5 at 9:00 pm, Thurs., 6/7 at 9:00 am., Sat., 6/9 at 3:00 pm (all times are ET)



Tune in this week for an encore edition of Playing Favorites hosted by Debbie Boone. She's Pat's daughter, Rosemary's daughter-in-law, and a beautiful singer. Debbie will share some favorites by Frank, Rosemary, and a couple of her own recordings.

Debbie Boone's Selections:
Peachtree Street (duet with Rosemary Clooney)
My Shining Hour
The Song Is You
Night And Day
Come Rain Or Come Shine
Debby Boone – It Never Entered My Mind / In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning *
Just In Time
The Lady Is A Tramp
Someone To Watch Over Me
Send In The Clowns
Debby Boone – Time After Time *
All The Way
Stardust
* Selections from Debby Boone's 2005 Concord Records album, Reflections Of Rosemary

[Mark Blackburn]

I know it's a repeat but I'll say it again: Great show! I love it that Debby Boone credited her arrangers and singled out, "John (Jon?) Otto" for his exquisite arrangements on her "Reflections of Rosemary" CD -- charts with "class simplicity and elegance," like those Nelson Riddle wrote.

I love too, her recalling that Rosie Clooney -- her mother-in-law -- bequeathed Debby 60 years worth of arrangements, including some by Nelson Riddle that she (Debby) has been performing with symphony orchestras -- "the most exciting experience," she said.

Alas her version of TIME AFTER TIME hasn't been uploaded to YouTube (yet) so I celebrated the version she and Rosie loved by Chet Baker, while noting that Debby remembered to include the delightful opening verse by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, written for Sinatra -- who never recorded it! Hope the family here enjoys this too!

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...-vocals/page42

postscript: I searched (almost) in vain tonight for YouTube videos of major artists who recorded the opening verse to TIME AFTER TIME. Alone among important singers Johnny Mathis includes it (to a fabulous Henry Mancini arrangement) in which the opening verse becomes a 'rubato' out-of-tempo bridge. Which reminded me that during his splendid interview with Eumir Deodato on this week's Nancy for Frank show (June 3) he shared with Chuck Granata just how influenced he was by Hank Mancini's ARRANGING. In lieu of an embedded video, here's a link to Johnny Mathis and Henry Mancini's terrific recording of TIME AFTER TIME.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaKCJ...eature=related

[sschweiger]

Mark--Excellent tributes to Debby, and "Time After Time." I must have mentioned this at one time or another, but...are you familiar with the Deena Martin/Jerry Lewis version? I heard it about 5-6 years ago (the way time flies, it's probably closer to 7-8 years), and was enthralled, and tremendously moved! It's on Deena's most recent album, and is well worth your attention, and the attention of all SFFers!

PS: Your "column" is terrific! Take care & be well!

[Mark Blackburn]

I've not, Stanley -- thanks for the heads-up on the Deena Martin/Jerry Lewis version, which I'm compelled to find, because of you. Thanks too for your kind words. Your own knowledge (and wealth of anecdotes) about music and the rest of the entertainment world never ceases to amaze!

[sschweiger]

My turn -- Thanks, Mark! Just keep on posting!

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Sal and Joe from Patsy's Restaurant
Mon., 6/11 at 6:00 pm, Tues., 6/12 at 9:00 pm, Thurs., 6/14 at 9:00 am, Sat., 6/16 at 3:00 pm (all times ET)



Listen this week for an encore of Playing Favorites hosted by Sal and Joe from Patsy's Restaurant in New York City. Since 1944, Patsy's has been a traditional, family-owned and operated Italian restaurant located in Manhattan. It is owned and managed by the Scognamillo family and is known as a favorite restaurant of Frank Sinatra. Sal and Joe will share some special personal memories of Frank, along with some of their favorite Sinatra recordings.

Sal & Joe's Selections:
My Way
Only the Lonely
The Way You Look Tonight
Days of Wine and Roses
September of my Years
I've Got the World on a String
All the Way
All or Nothing at All
All My Tomorrows
It Was a Very Good Year
My Way

[Marjorie]

I am listening now and loving it!

[Nancy]

Thank you, Leigh Ann!!

[Leigh Ann]

Thanks Nancy! Always a pleasure!

[sschweiger]

Thanks, Leigh Ann! Sal & Joe's song menu is terrific! Eunice & I spent many a happy time in Patsy's. Needless to say, it's one of the New York restaurants I miss very much!

[Mark Blackburn]

See you there, Stanley! Drinks on me (the first round). Just had to say how much I loved this show by Sal & Joey. Joe's selection of his favorite song of the "many many" he loves, is so dear to my own heart -- I had to celebrate it elsewhere -- at the "songwriting" folder of HARMONY CENTRAL (world's biggest website for musicians). This isn't the place I know to recite lyrics, so with the moderator's indulgence, a link. See you (one day I hope) at Patsys!


http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...vocals/page43#

[sschweiger]

Mark -- The Schweigers getting to NYC is the proverbial (and I don't want this to sound 'flippant') "piece of cake!" A little over 2 hours by car or MetroNorth! Winnipeg is more of a "baventure," as my Granddaughter Abigail phrased it when she was about four. So, unless you have a relative who can get you a great deal on air travel, I'm going to defer to the Blackburns, as to when you might make it to the City! THE SECOND & THIRD ROUNDS AT PATSY'S ARE ON ME (as well as dinner)! Take care & be well!

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Mitzi Gaynor
Mon., 6/18 at 6:00 pm, Tues., 6/19 at 9:00 pm., Thurs., 6/21 at 9:00 am, Sat., 6/23 at 3:00 pm (All times ET)

Join us this week for an encore of Playing Favorites hosted by actor/singer Mitzi Gaynor. You may remember her best as the leading lady in "South Pacific". Listen to this special encore of "Playing Favorites" to hear her play some of her favorite Sinatra recordings.



Mitzi Gaynor's Selections:
All The Way - Capitol 1957
I'll Never Smile Again (with Tommy Dorsey Orch. & The Pied Pipers) - Victor 1940
Nancy (With The Laughing Face) - Columbia 1945
Come Fly With Me - Reprise 1965
Call Me Irresponsible - Reprise 1963
Love And Marriage - Capitol 1955
Violets For Your Furs - Capitol 1953
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To - Capitol 1956
All Or Nothing At All (with Harry James Orch.) - Columbia 1939
My Kind Of Town - Reprise 1964
Here's That Rainy Day - Capitol 1959
Fly Me To The Moon (with Count Basie Orch.) - Live 1966
I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night (a capella with The Bobby Tucker Singers) - Columbia 1943