I Can't Get 'A Time For Us' Out Of My Head!

Today, I was doing my volunteer work for Garden Grove's Meals on Wheels program and upon walking into the Senior Center to drop off my empty cooler, I was surprised to hear music I had not heard in years.  Every Monday a pianist comes to play a wide variety of slow, atmospheric tunes - like something you'd hear in the background at Nieman Marcus - but never in the three years I've been delivering meals on Monday's have I heard the pianist play 'A Time For Us'.  Well, I just stopped walking and stood to wait for him to finish as if I had just happened into a concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

Before this morning, I cannot remember the last time I heard Nino Rota's romantically devastating theme for the 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet, a brilliant film that I've seen many times; the first being in my 7th grade English class.  The best days at school were always the days we watched movies in class but when the movies were actually enjoyable, it was the cherry.  I remember being just as enthralled with the score as I was with the film.  In fact, I had become so obsessed in my search for this piece of music, it took me weeks to eventually find it on a 1968 Billboard compilation CD.  (You have to think back before the internet, if you're old enough, to a time when it took more effort than just flipping open your laptop or pushing the Safari App button on your iPad to find information).  Of course, it would have helped if I knew what the title of the score was called or who the composer was rather than just approaching music store employees with Bauhaus t-shirts, saying, "You know, that theme from Romeo and Juliet".

Anyway, here it is with some clips from the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet (in my opinion, the best film version):

Of course, I must also give a little background about the Milan-born Italian composer Nino Rota, who I believe was the catalyst to my obsession for film scores beyond John Williams.  Nino was also notable for the films scores of Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti.  He also composed the music for the first two films of Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather trilogy, receiving the Academy Award for Best Original Score for The Godfather Part II (1974).

Grazie mille, signor Rota.

I Can't Get "Bad Things" Out Of My Head!



I am not a country music fan... not-at-all.  However, once in a blue moon, a country song will somehow find its way to my eardrums, and whether there is something about the song that somehow speaks volumes to me or I have listened to it so repetitively that I've grown to like it, I do have a couple that I am partial to; one of those being Jace Everett's "Bad Things", the official theme song to TV show obsession, "True Blood".

Yes, this is one of the few shows where I don't fast-forward through the beginning credits because I love the grittiness and roughness of this song.  Now, because "True Blood" is returning this Sunday, June 10th (starred and circled on the calendar) for its fifth season on HBO, I got the song somehow stuck in my head without even having listened to it since the season four finale.  But I'm really not that surprised as it is a catchy little tune, and not hard to forget.  Here it is in "True Blood"s creepy, inbredy, hilly-billy opening credit:



As the story goes, Alan Ball, creator of the "True Blood" series based off the Sookie Stackhouse series written by Charlaine Harris, downloaded "Bad Things" off of iTunes as a filler opening credit song until they found one better.  Well, they never found anything that the executives and creators at HBO liked better.  "Bad Things" seemed to fit perfectly as the "True Blood" theme song (I agree), thus launching the career of Jace Everett who I believe was only a struggling artist at the time.  Moral of the story? - Whether you're an artist of any kind: writer, musician, illustrator... the web is a wonderful place to showcase your work and you never know when an Alan Ball will discover you as long as you have strived for perfection and put forth your best effort.

Now, what happens to all previously recorded songs picked up for TV shows, they must be edited down to fit the show's opening credit format.  Although "Bad Things" really isn't chopped up too badly, here is a link to the full version:

Only 3 days left until Season 5!!!  Yee-haw!

Can You Hear the Big Star, Celebrity Actors Sing?

Why, yes you can whilst I continue my Broadway-ish obsession -

Last night, Universal Studios released their first official trailer for the upcoming theatrical version of the Broadway smash "Les Miserables" online. 

Logline:  "Les Miserables" is a musical adaptation based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption.

"Les Miz" carries a special place in my heart as it is not only my 3rd favorite musical of all-time ("Assassins" & "Ragtime" trump it) but it is the first musical I ever saw live on Broadway in New York back in August 1992, which is why this movie is my most anticipated film of 2012 (20 years later).  I consider the music and lyrics by the team Schonberg & Kretzmer flawless and I'm sure any non-musical theatre lover would still recognize the plays standout hit, "On My Own" sung by relative unknown Samantha Barks as Eponine in the film, but I think this is a solid choice as Samantha played the same part in "Les Miserables in Concert: 25th Anniversary"

But the other stars of the film will not be so unfamiliar.  Playing the lead of Jean Val Jean is none other than Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman, who has not only been on Broadway multiple times and even starred in a musical on Broadway ("The Boy From Oz") but showed his singing chops to the world when hosting the Academy Awards, which, ironically, is also where Anne Hathaway showed her outer voice talents, who will be playing the intrical part of Fantine and who is the star of the new trailer.  I have to say that with roles like Catwoman and Fantine, I have a feeling 2012 will be the year of the Hathaway.

The cast of the film version of "Les Miz" also has "Mama Mia" triple-threat Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Russell Crowe as Javert (this one scares me a little as I don't think I've ever heard him sing and he can't fake his way through "Stars") and then Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the Thenardier's, who are two of my favorite characters and the perfect choices for these roles, and just so happen to have been in a musical together in the recent past:  "Sweeney Todd".  Cohen showed he could hold a note, while Carter's singing was less than desirable but the great thing about the Thenardier's is that you don't have to be great singers.  It does help, but the flamboyancy of the parts would allow any actors to get away with "character singing".  And I must also add that I harbor a little jealousy towards Cohen because he will be playing the role I've dreamed in days gone by.  Although I've squashed my acting bug long ago, my desire to play Master Thernardier on stage is a lot like the cockroach from "Wall-E".  But that is one for the bucket list.

So here it is in all its amazing glory:



I do have to also add that Colm Wilkinson, Broadway's original Jean Val Jean, has a small role as the Bishop of Digne (near the beginning of the film and ironically only interacts with Jean Val Jean).  Some fanatics may complain about Hugh being cast over Colm, but I just want to say this - it's been over 25 years since he originated the role.  Colm's a bit too old to be playing the part.  Remember "Rent - The Movie"?  'Nough said.

I Can't Get 'Pretty Women' Out Of My Head!

Sorry Roy Orbison fans, not that song.

I have a 5-star playlist on my iPod and when I feel like escaping from the shackles of my desk and stretching my legs, I listen to my iPod while going for a walk.  More times than not, this is how it get songs stuck in my head, and that's how it happened this time.

'Pretty Women' is not only one of my all-time favorite Stephen Sondheim songs or favorite Broadway songs, but favorite songs.  From those who personally know me, they know I worship the ground Stephen Sondheim walks, with 'Assassins' being my #1 favorite musical.  And though 'Pretty Women' comes from "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", "Sweeney" in musicals is comparable to "Jaws" in film for me; it's flawless and exceptional, but just misses being in my... let's say top three.  The fact that they are both horror is merely a coincidence.

And thanks to Tim Burton, I believe more people are now familiar with this song's beautifully haunting melody and superlative lyrics as 'Pretty Women' was sung in the 2007 film version by Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman:

Although it is an admirable rendition, there is nothing like the original version by Len Cariou in the title role and Edmund Lyndeck as Judge Turpin from 1979.  This version also includes a small prologue and the Epiphany song,  and it is worth listening to the entire piece:

To add your own version of "Pretty Women" to your iPod/iPhone/iPad/etc, I've supplied links in the right side bar.

I Can't Get "Forget You" (Muppet version) Out Of My Head

WARNING:  Even though this post is about The Muppets, it's not intended for children.

Okay, this is not only the most bizarre "I Can't Get...Out Of My Head" post, but the most bizarre overall.  Explanation:  I had the pleasure of seeing an advanced screening of "The Muppets" last week.  As anyone familiar with the Muppets franchise knows, their movies/shows are musicals.  Now, there was some great original music (one song in particular I hope gets an Oscar nomination) but the song that is currently stuck in my head is an adaptation of an already popular song (making it not eligible for Oscar consideration, not that it would be nominated).  The song from the movie is called, "Forget You" performed by Madame Alma Cluck and her chickens; however, the real life song is called "Fuck You!" performed by Cee Lo Green; again however, Cee Lo also does a watered down version with the same Muppet title.  This song choice was perfect for many reasons, one being that the music is very catchy and light-hearted, something very worthy of a Broadway musical number.  If you haven't heard it, have a listen to the clean version "Forget You!" here:

OR, if you want to watch the original, hilariously foul-mouthed music video, this is it here:



I took my good friend Steve with me to go see the special screening because we have both been huge Muppet fans since before we even met back in high school.  Although we love all the original Muppet movies from the '80's, our favorite is by far, "The Great Muppet Caper" and still use quotes from the movie today. 

Towards the end Gonzo's mistress, Madame Alma Cluck, appears with the rest of her chickens.  The Princess and her poultry back-up singers break out in a version of "Forget You", or as I like to refer to it, "Cluck You" because that's all they do is 'cluck'; thereby, avoiding any of the songs original X-rated lyrics for this PG-rated movie.  When the number started, I thought it was funny and cute but Steve went into the spastic conniption of laughter when the song started.  I didn't understand why because I had no idea of Cee Lo's original song.  Not being a fan of his, I only ever heard the 'radio version'.  Steve had to explain this to me after the movie and now I get it.

I really appreciated what Jason Segel (co-writer of The Muppets as well) did here, masking adult content beneath children's entertainment - something The Muppets has always been about.  The Muppets only became "just for kids" when they started doing those atrocious parody movies based on popular literature such as "A Christmas Carol", "Treasure Island" and "The Wizard of Oz".

Now, I do think the new Muppets movie is far from perfect, but happily consider it their comeback and welcome more Muppet movies with open arms.  And if they do another one, I'll be sure to bring the paper towels.

I Can't Get 'Drink Up Me Hearties, Yo Ho' Out Of My Head!

I'm a geek, there's no denying that; however, I like to refer to myself as more of a "closeted" geek so I can try to retain some coolness.  Whether it works or not, I guess that's in the eye of the beholder.

I wanted to start a new series that showcases a song or piece of music that refuses to leave my head, whether I like it or not, and call it, "I Can't Get This Song Out Of My Head!"  What is the purpose of this you ask?  Well, let's face it, when a song gets stuck in your head, it's basically a subconscious form of obsession, and My Little Obsessions is all about sharing.

Now, it is my intention to showcase songs and music that I am obsessed about but let's face it, not all songs that get stuck in your head are enjoyable.  You gotta take the good with the bad, people.

So, on that note, it is with great pride that the music that has been stuck in my head has not only been stuck there for the last couple of days, but on and off for the last four years, ever since the soundtrack was released with the movie.  I suppose it helps to get a song stuck in your head when you replay it over and over and over again.

So without further dealy (and this is where the geek in me comes out) that I share with you an instrumental piece that I have been obsessing over since Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was released.  I actually have many tracks from this album that I repeatedly play, but the one I am sharing is the End Credits track called, "Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho".  I probably listen to this piece of score the most often because it samples all the fantastic themes and melodies of the series and then arranges them in an exciting and flawless format.

Hans Zimmer is the composer of this score and overall, I like his work, but he's no John Williams, who is yet another obsession of mine.  However!, the third Pirates score is probably my second favorite score of all-time, right behind the soundtrack for "The Empire Strikes Back".

So give it a listen.  Maybe it'll get stuck in your head, maybe not.  Maybe you'll like it as much as I do, probably not.  In any case, this is a piece of music that I hope does not leave my head any time soon.

And of note, this will probably NOT be the only music I post from this soundtrack franchise. Ye be warned!