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In 1987 my son, Mark, was in the movie, SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME. He was playing in the studio orchestra and the cameras focused on the Saxophone players exactly 1 hour and 45 minutes into the movie. I know, because I timed it. Mark was the Sax player nearest the camera.
Gail gave me the tape of the movie. Now I guess I will have to buy the Blue Ray version (if there is one) to keep current. While there isn't a video of that scene selection, you can still buy the movie on Amazon. So here is the first song that means a lot to me as sung by Ella Fitzgerald.
Then I really went down memory lane and listened to every recording on You Tube of That's My Desire. It was 'our song' and when my husband was very ill I sang it to him. I shouldn't have tortured the poor man, he was suffering enough, but I wanted to let him know in the only way that I could just how much our life together meant to me.
I selected the following recording even though it wasn't my favorite, because I met Jim Reeves and he was my husband's favorite vocalist. I don't cry easily, but, to my surprise, tears came unbidden as I listened to this recording.
How I Met Jim Reeves
My husband owned a radio station and the station sponsored 'hops' for the kids. They brought in guest artists and the night that Jim Reeves was the starred performer I wanted to attend. Wayne gave in to my pleading and so I heard Jim in person. I am not a country fan, but he had a beautiful mellow baritone voice. I requested two songs, That's My Desire and Danny Boy and Jim graciously granted my wish. I have never heard a more beautiful rendition of Danny Boy.
I did not know until I visited You Tube that Jim had recorded That's My Desire. I was a bit unnerved by that.
Like Buddy Holly, Jim was killed in a plane crash nearly two years later at the age of 40.
Jim Reeves
August 20, 1923 - July 31, 1964
20 comments:
Talk about time well spent! Have you heard Ella and Louis Armstrong sing "The Stars Fell Down on Alabama"? It will give you chills.
The soundtrack to Woody Allen's film Manhattan is all orchestrations of Gershwin tunes. It has particularly nice arrangements of "Someone" and "He Loves, She Loves." Next time you're in D.C., don't miss the Gershwin Room.
There you go again, making me all misty eyed with nostalgia. I was introduced to Jim Reeves by a wannabe singer who emigrated to England in the mid sixties. He pointed out the photograph on the album's cover and said, look at that throat and then listen to him. I never could listen to Jim Reeves ever again without thinking about his throat! I could never hear enough of his 'Danny Boy'. That song got me introduced me to Ireland and all its troubles, when it was not a popular topic in India.
*K - I have probably heard Ella and Louie before, but now you have made me rush to You Tube to see if I can find it and give it a listen. Thank you. I remember Manhattan and love Gershwin. I doubt that, at my age, I will get to D. C. again, but would love to.
*Rummuser - Jim Reeves throat? Gosh, wish I had known so I could have checked it out. 'Danny Boy' always makes me misty eyed, I don't care who sings it.
*K- I just spent several hours on You Tube listening to Satch and Ella and I agree; Stars Fell On Alabama is great. I also love them on Summertime. Thanks for taking me back to a time when music was beautiful.
Memories can be such wonderful things. That was a lovely post.
*20th Century Woman - Thank you.
Ah, wonderful. Thank you.
I love all that old music, even though most of it came out before I was born - or when I was very young. My mom had the radio on all the time and I remember hearing them.
When I was in high school, and my mom made me take voice lessons, I had to sing "Someone to Watch Over Me". I was a horrible singer, but I got to loving that song!!
I always loved Ella...she was great. Although I really don't know much about Jim Reeves and his music, I have heard that song before...so sad that he died so young.
*la peregrina - You are welcome.
*Kenju - You are just a kid. ;-)
*Joy - Jim seemed like a nice guy and it is always sad when someone dies so young.
Lovely and thanks for sharing. I have Perry Como to remember my parents by. In fact, Perry was my first official concert when I was about 12 years old or so. This post reminded me I need to have a listen soon.
*Bary - Perry Como had such an easy voice to listen to. I loved his Christmas specials on his show. Thanks for reminding me.
Thank you for giving me the connection to watch part of the parade in Paris. This year they invited ex-colonies from Africa to take part in the parade to celebrate their 50 years of independence – I wish I had been there to see them.
I think that music is powerful and like you I can get emotional listening to some music. When I found on You Tube the rendition of The Regiment of Sambre et Meuse I started crying, then a couple days later when I found the OSU marching band playing it, I cried again! I had not heard it since my grand dad died years ago.
My first full time job in Paris was in a music publishing company – I did the translation of the lyrics. Once during lunch while the secretary was out Edith Piaf called as she wished to have some lyrics changed in her upcoming song. I told her I could write them down. I could barely hold my pencil, as I was so excited, while Edith Piaf was giving me the words. Now whenever I hear that song I do get misty eyes.
<3
*Vagabonde - Music can bring back memories in a way that nothing else can. And the memories can bring tears when you least expect them.
*Satsuko - Thanks you for the visit. Please return. I had to search to find out what the emoticon stood for and I think it stands for heart. Am I correct?
*Satsuko - Thanks you for the visit. Please return. I had to search to find out what the emoticon stood for and I think it stands for heart. Am I correct?
The story of you singing your song to your husband when he was ill is so darn touching. Really beautiful. (Maybe since I'm older than my husband I will not have to endure that kind of loss.)
I also am not a country fan, but I do love Jim Reeves. In the mid-80s I bought a 1956 Ford Customline that had a cassette player in it. When I got the car home I opened the glove box and was surprised to find one cassette tape there. It had the best of Jim Reeves' songs on it and really bonded me to that special car!
This is such a beautiful post!
All the good old songs that I also like alot! Thanks for sharing it with us, I this you have a wonderful life, if you can share your sweet memories with us!
You husband was lucky to have you by his side and singing songs when he was ill :)
*Lydia - Thank you for your kind words. I hope you don't have to endure that kind of loss. With luck you can both go together and then neither one of you will have to grieve.
*Simona- Thank you for your visit. Please stop by again. Thank you for saying such sweet things.
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