The Top 20 Greatest American Standards: 2011 Edition

It is that time of year when we post a new list of the Top 20 Greatest American Standards.  This year I have decided to remove the requirement that a song be at least 50 years old because I feel it is too restrictive and keeps some exceptionally great songs off the list. The class of 2011 has 4 new songs that have made the Top 20 cut.

    1. "How Do You Keep The Music Playing": 1982 music by Michel Legrand and Lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Berman for the movie "Best Friends".
    2. "Something": 1969 music and words by Beatle George Harrison
    3. "The Shadow Of Your Smile": 1965 Music by Johnny Mandel and Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster for the film, "The Sandpiper". This song won a Grammy for Song of the Year and also an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
    4. "Send In The Clowns": 1973 Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim for his 1973 musical, "A Little Night Music".

THE 20 GREATEST AMERICAN STANDARDS: 2011 EDITION
1.   You've Changed
2.   What's New?
3.   The Nearness of You
4.   My Funny Valentine
5.   Embraceable You
6.   The Very Thought of You
7.   Here's That Rainy Day
8.   I've Got You Under My Skin
9.   Over The Rainbow
10. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
11. In The Still Of The Night
12. Night And Day
13. Someone To Watch Over Me
14. How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
15. Something
16. The Way You Look Tonight
17. They Can't Take That Away From Me
18. Send In The Clowns
19. The Shadow Of Your Smile
20. These Foolish Things


These are my personal favorites and how I rank them.  I am sure you have your own favorites. I would love to get some comments from you!

Eleven Ways Music Therapy Helps Clients Address Mental, Physical or Emotional Health Issues

I recently read a blog article "11 Interesting Facts About Music Therapy" sent to me by BestOnlineColleges.com. It's about the positive effectives of music therapy. I thought that my readers would find the article interesting.  If you like the article, you might want to take a look at some of their other postings.   (http://www.bestonlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/11-interesting-facts-about-music-therapy/).

                       "11 Interesting Facts About Music Therapy"

Music therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses music to help clients address their various mental, physical or emotional health issues. Trained music therapists have clients listen to music in order to relax their mind and body, reduce stress and manage their pain or anxiety. This positive response to music can help clients achieve their goals, whether it's beating cancer or overcoming a learning disability. See why so many people have tuned into music therapy with these 11 interesting facts:

1. 1.Music therapy works by stimulating different parts of the brain that are responsible for physical and mental functions

   Music therapy works by stimulating parts of the brain that are needed for various mental and physical functions. Different musical styles, beats and rhythms can elicit different feelings or emotions. Music also has the power to distract the mind and help it focus at the same time. Through music therapy treatment, clients can achieve relaxation, stress reduction and pain management, which makes them more receptive to their therapeutic goals.

2. 2.People of all ages can benefit from music therapy

   Music therapy is beneficial for people of all ages and mental health, developmental, behavioral or learning needs. Music therapy can be done on children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. There is no age restriction or musical talent required to reap the benefits of music therapy.

3. 3.Music therapy originated in Veterans hospitals after World War I and II

   The concept of using music as a form of healing dates back to the days of Aristotle and Plato, but the kind of music therapy that we know today started after World War I and II, when local musicians played for physically and emotionally traumatized veterans at the Veterans hospitals. When doctors and nurses saw the positive responses patients had, they requested that musicians be hired to play in hospitals. The growing need for properly trained musicians led to the creation of the music therapy college curriculum.

4. 4.Clients don't need musical talent to benefit from music therapy

   Clients receiving music therapy treatments don't have to be pianists, singers or play in a band to benefit from music therapy. Music therapy can have healing effects on all people, regardless of their music taste, skill or understanding of music. Regardless of a person's musical ability (or lack thereof), they can still achieve the therapeutic benefits of music therapy.

5. 5.Music therapy uses a variety of music styles

   Music therapists use several different types of music during treatment. There is no one style of music that is more beneficial or effective than the rest. The type of music used in a music therapy session depends on the individual's needs, preferences and circumstances. Although, research shows that patients will respond best to the music they prefer.

6. 6.Healthy individuals can also benefit from music therapy

   The healing power of music therapy is not limited to people with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Everyone needs to achieve specific goals in life, and music therapy has been shown to help people focus on these needs. The average healthy individual can benefit from using music therapy as a form of stress reduction and relaxation, as well as a motivation for exercise or creativity.

7. 7.Music therapy can be used to assist with labor and delivery

   Music therapy has its place in just about any environment – even in labor and delivery! Music therapy can be used to help expecting mothers relax, practice breathe properly and work through their contractions before giving birth. Everything from ocean wave sounds to jazz music have been shown to help mothers relieve stress and get comfortable in their delivery environment.

8. 8.Autistic individuals respond positively to music therapy

   Music therapy has been shown to have a positive effect on individuals with autism. Studies have indicated that autistic individuals display a heightened interest and response to the sound of music, and this form of therapy can help address the social and communication characteristics of autism.

9. 9.Music therapy can help comfort cancer patients

   Although music therapy is not a cure for cancer, it can have a positive effect on cancer patients as they undergo treatment. When combined with conventional treatment, music therapy can help patients reduce and mange pain and relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Music therapy can also aid in reducing stress, relaxing patients and improving their overall attitude and sense of well-being.

10. 10.Music therapy can assist in the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts

    Music therapy can be very beneficial in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Not only does music therapy promote relaxation, stress reduction and anxiety management, but it also helps drug addicts and alcoholics take their mind off of withdrawal symptoms and focus their attention on recovery.

11. 11.Musicians can benefit from music therapy

    Believe it or not, music therapy can also help musicians hone their craft and improve their musical ability. Music therapy can help singers work through vocal problems, improve respiratory function and volume, as well as release endorphins and improve mood. It also has the power to help musicians and instrumentalists with muscle tension and pain management, while relaxing their mind and body.

CD Review: Tony Bennett Duets II

Tony Bennett has just released his new CD, "Tony Bennett Duets II", as a follow-up to his highly successful first Duets CD. Ever since Sinatra released his first and second "Duets" format several years ago, more and more artists are turning to this duets format. From my perspective, I really love these CD's because they all seem to be covering tunes out of the "Great American Songbook".  The two Sinatra Duet  CD's are still two of my favorite CD's. I think this format works because it uses some of the greatest songs ever written sung by a combination of a great seasoned singer with other great singers who in most cases have not recorded songs out of the "Great American Songbook". The last part of the Duet format might just be the most important, it needs to be produced by Phil Ramone.  I don't remember ever hearing a CD that Phil Ramone produced that I didn't love! And I am not alone  respecting the talents of Mr. Ramone who has received 36 Grammy Nominations and 14 Grammy Awards. Bennett's Duets II follows his formula and the results are outstanding.  I love almost all of these Duet CD's because I get to hear new recordings of the songs I love and because, I get to listen to artists that don't usually record this the standards. For the most part, I always seem to be caught off guard by these artists whose taste in music is materially different than my musical tastes and how great they sound singing standards. I find it difficult to listen to some of today's newer music of  and evaluate the quality of the performers' voices and talents.   But when I hear them sing a great standard, I find it easy to evaluate their future musical potential.  In the Bennett CD I heard some singers that I knew, but were not favorites of mine, sing standards that knocked me off my chair.  For example, on Track One Lady Gaga singing "The Lady Is A Tramp". I find it hard to focus on Lady Gaga's voice with all the distractions going on when she performs.  But singing this standard, she is nothing short of outstanding. I know she sells millions of CD's but none of them turn me on compared to hearing her singing one of the great old songs.  Another example on Track Three Amy Winehouse singing the great old chestnut, "Body And Soul". Singing doesn't get any better than this! What a shame we lost her so young! And on Track 5, k.d. lang singing Blue Velvet. I have listened to many of Ms. Lang's CD's and to me they are all just ok.  But everything she has done singing standards with Tony Bennett are exceptional in every way, and her voice reminds me of Jo Stafford. In my opinion, everyone of the 17 tracks on this CD are keepers.   This is a CD worth buying because you will be playing it over and over again for a long time.  All the songs selected by Tony Bennett are just great, and take a look at the lineup of great singers that join him:

Andrea Bocelli
Michael Buble'
Mariah Carey
Natalie Cole
Sheryl Crow
Aretha Franklin
Josh Groban
Faith Hill
Norah Jones
Lady Gaga
k.d. lang
John Mayer
Willie Nelson
Queen Latifah
Alejandro Sanz
Carrie Underwood
Amy Winehouse

   

Sounds Like The Blues!

I recently received an email containing a real neat and funny description of the "musical blues".   There was no information about the author of this article so I cannot cite credit.  If anyone has seen this before and knows who wrote it, please let me know.


                                        SOUNDS LIKE THE BLUES!


If you're new to Blues music, or you like it but never really understood the whys and wherefores, here are some very fundamental rules:
1. Most Blues begin with: "Woke up this morning..."
2. "I got a good woman" is a bad way to begin the Blues, unless you stick something nasty in the next line like, "I got a good woman, with the meanest face in town."
3. The Blues is simple. After you get the first line right, repeat it. Then, find something that rhymes -- sort of: "Got a good woman with the meanest face in town. Yes, I got a good woman with the meanest face in town. Got teeth like Margaret Thatcher and she weigh 500 pound."
4. The Blues is not about choice. "You stuck in a ditch, you stuck in a ditch...ain't no way out."
5. Blues cars: Chevys, Fords, Cadillacs, and broken-down trucks. Blues don't travel in Volvos, BMWs, or Sport Utility Vehicles. Most Blues transportation is a Greyhound bus or a southbound train. Jet aircraft and state-sponsored motor pools ain't even in the running. Walkin' plays a major part in the Blues lifestyle. So does fixin' to die.
6. Teenagers can't sing the Blues. They ain't fixin' to die yet. Adults sing the Blues. In Blues, "adulthood" means being old enough to get the electric chair if you shoot a man in Memphis.
7. Blues can take place in New York City, but not in Hawaii or anywhere in Canada. Hard times in Minneapolis or Seattle are probably just clinical depression. Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Memphis, and N'awlins are still the best places to have the Blues. You cannot have the Blues in any place that don't get rain.
8. A man with male pattern baldness ain't the Blues. A woman with male pattern baldness is. Breaking your leg 'cause you were skiing is not the Blues. Breaking your leg 'cause a alligator be chomping on it is.
9. You can't have no Blues in an office or a shopping mall. The lighting is wrong. Go outside to the parking lot or sit by the dumpster.
10. Good places for the Blues: a. highway, b. jailhouse, c. empty bed, d. bottom of a whiskey glass.
11. Bad places for the Blues: a. Nordstrom's, b. gallery openings, c. Ivy League institutions, d. golf courses.
12. No one will believe it's the Blues if you wear a suit, less you happen to be an old person, and you slept in it.
13. Do you have the right to sing the Blues? Yes, if: a. you're older than dirt, b. you have a harp and it cost more then your car,c. you shot a man in Memphis, d. you can't be satisfied. No, if: a. you have all your teeth, b. Your a fan of Brittany Spears c. the man in Memphis lived,( or you missed ) d. you have a 401 K or trust fund.
14. Blues is not a matter of color. It's a matter of bad luck. Tiger Woods cannot sing the Blues. Sonny Liston could have. Ugly white people also got a leg up on the Blues.
15. If you ask for water and your darlin' gives you gasoline, it's the Blues. Other acceptable Blues beverages are: a. cheap wine,b. whiskey or bourbon, c. muddy water, d. black coffee. The following are NOT Blues beverages: a. Perrier, b. Chardonnay, c.Snapple, d. Slim Fast.
16. If death occurs in a cheap motel or a shotgun shack, it's a Blues death. Stabbed in the back by a jealous lover is another Blues way to die. So are the electric chair, substance abuse, and dying lonely on a broken-down cot. You can't have a Blues death if you die during a tennis match or while getting liposuction.
17. Some Blues names for women: a. Sadie, b. Big Mama, c. Bessie, d. Jennie. d. Lucille, ( or her sister )
18. Some Blues names for men: a. Joe, b. Willie, c. Little Willie, d. Big Willie. d. Chickenbone Willie.
19. Persons with names like Michelle, Amber, Jennifer, Debbie, and Heather can't sing the Blues no matter how many men they shoot in Memphis.
20. Blues Name Starter Kit: a. name of physical infirmity (Blind, Cripple, Lame, etc.), b. first name (see above) plus name of fruit (Lemon, Lime, Peach, etc.), c. last name of President (Jefferson, Johnson, Fillmore, etc.). For example: Blind Lemon Jefferson,Pegleg Lime Johnson, or Cripple Peach Fillmore, etc.

CD Review: "Diane Hubka Goes To The Movies"

Last month I published information about a new CD, "From California With Love" that was recorded by a talented group of West Coast Musicians with the sole purpose to raise money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief.  I learned about the effort from one of the talented musicians who recorded on the CD, Diane Hubka.  Diane  found my blog and enjoyed the live music reviews I did last winter from the Palm Springs, California area. I really loved the way Diane sang on the "From California With Love" CD and I wanted to find out more about her.  Turns out she was performing to rave reviews in the New York City area for many years before moving to Hollywood California in 2004 where she collaborated with pianist Christian Jacob (who married the daughter of one of my all-time trumpet  faves', Maynard Ferguson).  Christian Jacob has also recorded with the uniquely talented Tierney Sutton.  Together Diane and Christian recorded "Diane Hubka Goes to the Movies" in 2007, and I decided to review the CD.

Diane Hubka is not just another singer!  In addition to singing, Diane plays a 7-string guitar with great skill and improvisation. She selects her material like a fine chef selecting just the right products at a food market. After her move from NYC to Hollywood Diane picked 13 songs that were written for movies, some standards and others relatively unknown but still great songs. According to Diane "It seemed the logical choice. Since coming here, I've enjoyed working with some fantastic West-Coast musicians, many who've made their living at least in part from playing in the studios."  The arrangements are wonderful and were all written by Christian Jacob. Diane chose all the musicians for the band from those she had heard and worked with after moving to California. The group includes Christian Jacob on Piano and did the arrangements, Carl Saunders on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Larry Koonse on Guitar, Chris Colangelo on Bass and Joe LaBarbera on Drums.

There are 13 songs on this CD all taken from movies from 1937-79 and none of them are easy to play or sing.  Diane really gets to show her professional singing skills to the fullest on this CD and also solos, singing and playing her 7 string classical guitar on Track #12, "Manha de Carnaval" more popularly known as "A Day In The Life Of A Fool".  My other favorites were Track #1 "All God's Children Got Rhythm" from 1937 movie "A Day at the Races".  It's a perfect opening number for the group with everyone in the group making their presence known. Track #4, "Lovers in New York" from the 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was written by Henry Mancini, Jay Livingston and Ray Evans swings with great Trumpet work from Carl Saunders. Track #5, "He's a Tramp" from the 1955 movie "Lady and the Tramp" written by the great Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke played in an up-tempo Samba rhythm that fits the song perfectly.  Track #7 "I'm Old Fashioned" written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 movie "You Were Never Lovelier" features some great piano and Guitar work by Christian Jacobs and Larry Koonse. Track #9 "Close Enough for Love" from the 1979 movie "Agatha" showcases some outstanding Piano and Bass work from Jacob and Colangelo. Track # 11 "Wild is the Wind" the old Johnny Mathis hit from the 1957 movie of the same name features a great up-tempo rhythm used very effectively to showcase an outstanding piano solo from Christian Jacob. There is one member of the group that needs some praise for his skillful performance on this CD, Drummer Joe LaBarbera.  Joe has done some outstanding playing with the great Bill Evans and shows us on this CD why Bill Evans loved him.  Joe fits his percussion work into every song and rhythm perfectly, never overplaying or underplaying Diane or any member of the group.  Great Job, Joe.

If you like great jazz singing combined with some smooth jazz instrumental sounds, this CD is for you.  Diane Hubka is the real thing.  Her singing skills are finely tuned and she is not afraid to push aside the safety net of the classic songs of the "Great American Songbook" and experiment with new approaches to new and old songs in her own personal way.

You can preview this CD on iTunes and I urge you to do so.  Diane's first CD "Haven't We Met" was released in 1999 featured alto sax legend Lee Konitz and received Jazz Nomination for "Best Recording Debut".  Her Latest CD "You Inspire Me" was released in Japan in 2007.

Note to all my California readers: Diane will be performing live on Oct. 20 at Vitello's Jazz & Super Club, 4349 Tujunga Blvd., Studio City Ca. 91604.  Reservations: 818-769-0905  If you are in the area, make the effort to catch her show, you will not regret it!

Book Review of "Clapton, The Autobiography"

It's summer and like most of you, I am catching up on my reading list. Over the past years, several of my music friends highly recommended Eric Clapton's autobiography that was first published in 2007.  I finally got a chance to read it. Although this book became a New York Times bestseller, I personally  found it somewhat disappointing and not at all uplifting. I will give Clapton a good deal of credit for doing the writing himself and not going with the guest-writer route that most rock stars have used.  However, Clapton's lack of writing skills resulted in a book that was somewhat boring in parts for the reader.  That said, Clapton's honesty about his own shortcomings and his love for the blues and the major players that influenced his career makes the book "a must" for all Clapton fans.

 Eric painted a life story of a troubled young boy with an identity problem who evolved into a chauvinistic unhappy narcissist. It seemed to me that Clapton's life was consumed by the need to capture things and people he wanted and once he got them he lost interest which is what occurred with his relationship with Pattie Boyd. However, on a positive note, his description of his burning love for Pattie Boyd while she was still married to George Harrison produced his outstanding song "Layla".

Like most of the rock stars of the 70's, Clapton goes into great detail about his addictions that somehow did not kill him until he finally turned the corner and cleaned up.  I found his comments about his thoughts and relationship with other extraordinary musicians like the Stones, the Beatles, B.B. King, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan very interesting. I was disappointed that Clapton did not spend more time writing about his wonderful guitar playing.  I think it would have greatly added to the enjoyment of the book.

Music Man Awards This Book "2 Quarter Notes"

4 Quarter Notes= Excellent Book, Must Read
3 Quarter Notes= Good Book
2 Quarter Notes= Somewhat Interesting
1 Quarter Notes= Save Your Time and Money

A Review of "From California With Love". West Coast Musicians Step Up To Raise Money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

Diane Hubka

I recently came across a new CD produced as a result of an idea that came from the great singer/guitarist Diane Hubka and renowned producer Bill Reed of SSJ Records. Japan has always been a welcome place for American Jazz performers, and the purpose of this new CD is an attempt by this group of talented musicians to return the love in Japan's time of need. 100% of all sales goes to Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief.

Bill Reed

The CD includes some familiar and respected singers and musicians featuring tracks from: Diane Hubka, Alan Broadbent, Jim Cox, Johnny Holiday, Christian Jacob, Leslie Lewis, Dick Noel, Frankie Randall, Sue Raney, Kurt Reichenbach, Dan Sawyer, Tierney Sutton, Pinky Winters, and a special bonus track by the late Chris Connor.

There are 13 tracks on this CD and if you love hearing superb singers and musicians playing great songs, you must buy this CD. Every singer and musician on this CD will leave you wanting more.

List of Album Tracks and Performers:
1.   Blue Skies: Sue Raney and Alan Broadbent
2.   Sweet and Lovely: Alan Broadbent
3.   Strike Up The Band: Johnny Holiday and Sam Most
4.   Skylark: Leslie Lewis and Gerard Hagen
5.   Here's To Life: Kurt Reichenbach and Jim Cox
6.   Sweet Happy Life (Samba de Orfeu): Diane Hubka and Dan Sawyer
7.   Ue Wo Muite Arukou (Sukiyaki): Christian Jacob
8.   Beautiful Love: Tierney Sutton and Christian Jacob
9.   We Can Work It Out: Jim Cox
10. Dream: Dick Noel
11. I Feel A Song Coming on; Chris Connor
12. The Wave: Frankie Randall
13. You'll Never Walk Alone: Pinky Winters and Jim Cox

I know my music friends in Palm Springs will just flip over this CD.  Many of my favorites are on this CD: Sue Raney, Alan Broadbent,  the always great Frankie Randall and the one and only Tierney Sutton. But as a bonus, I got to know some talented new friends, Johnny Holiday, Sam Most, Leslie Lewis, Gerard Hagen, Kurt Reichenbach, the remarkable Jim Cox, Diane Hubka, Dan Sawyer, Christian Jacob, Dick Noel, The late great Chris Connor and Pinky Winters.  All these great singers and musicians for $20 and it goes to a worthy cause.  The best deal in town!  You can buy the CD on CDBaby.

By the way, singer/guitarist Diane Hubka who was one of the driving forces on this CD, has a new release by SSJ Records, "I Like It Here: Live in Tokyo".  I will be doing a review of this CD in the near future. Look her up, she is an exciting talent.

I can't leave this posting without a comment about producer Bill Reed.  I had no idea of who Bill Reed was or what he had done until I started to do some research for this review.  I went on the SSJ Records site and was just knocked out by the outstanding singers Bill has produced over the years; one better than the next. This gentlemen knows what great sounds are all about.  Thanks Bill for keeping quality music playing!