Tex Avery ‘Swing Shift Cinderella’ (1945)

Jan Stulen & The Metropole Orchestra - ‘Kodachrome’

Composed by Raymond Scott (1942)

maximiliani:

The Puppini Sisters - Last Christmas (2010) They managed to make one of the worst Christmas songs into something incredibly classy.

This is still best cover of this song I’ve heard and it renders the original obsolete.
Not that the original is listenable to begin with (for me). It should be a new classic as it pretty much destroys any bit of 80’s sound from the song and pushes it into The Great American Songbook standards type of territory. 

maximiliani:

Kay Starr - ‘Maybe You’ll Be There’ (1947)

Composed by Rube Bloom, lyrics by Sammy Gallop.

I’ve posted this before (at least twice) because I’m a masochist.

However I can’t do a Kay Starr showcase for the month of December without posting this song again. Listen to the lyrics. They generally apply to a broken relationship, that a man cheated on her and has left her for someone else. Looking at it that way, the narrator keeps hoping they’ll see that person in the crowd or they’ll eventually change their mind and come home. It’s pretty standard standards fare if looked at that way.

However for a second interpretation, take into account that WWII was going on when this was first composed and published (1947), it was almost over but the soldiers weren’t all home, not just yet anyway. This is where if you look at the song from the perspective of a woman waiting for their husband, fiance, boyfriend, any of them to come home back to her, the  song takes on new meaning. The narrator’s lovelorn compulsion to search crowds in public places (bus, train stations and stops perhaps?) for them makes a bit more sense. Think Vivian Leigh in the WWI film Waterloo Bridge.

The lyrics change, it isn’t another woman that’s standing in between her and her soldier’s promises, but the actual war.It takes on much deeper meaning and sentiment. The ending

Someday when all my prayers are answered

I’ll hear your footstep on my stair

With anxious heart I’ll hurry to the door

and maybe you’ll be there

Is perhaps one of the prettiest and saddest lyrics I’ve encountered. The  song also can still be used for those who have loved ones deployed out in warzones today too. Technology has helped eliminate some of the uncertainty and lack of communication between soldiers and family that was present in the 1940’s but by all means the anxiety of having people you love fighting far away and putting themselves at risk is still very much alive and present today.

whitwhit328:

Really in love with Kay Starr’s voice. She’s such an underrated jazz singer 

It’s the gospel truth.

(Source: cupcakesvodkaandchocolate)

Kay Starr - ‘December’
Perhaps one of the prettiest holiday songs…ever…and yet it’s one generally no one knows at all.

Kay Starr - Frying Pan (Riffin’ The Scotch)

dcwomenkickingass:

With all the buzz about the Catwoman costume, here’s a look at some Darwyn Cooke styling thoughts for Selina when he was drawing the comic.

You really need to embiggen to see his notes. Notice on the mid right the “no f-me pumps.” Gah, gorgeous.

” No F-Me pumps.”

” Sexy, Style, Strong NOT Sleazy, Fashion, Butch “

Video => Ava Gardner in Mogambo

              Grace Kelly in Rear Window

              Audrey Hepburn in…Anything.

Mind you in sharp contrast he also gave her chunky, utilitarian combat boots when in costume. The most sensible thing…ever.

I know he already styled a great deal of heroes in the retro The New Frontier series, but, I would have preferred Darwyn Cooke to have restyled the entire DC line instead of Jim Lee. At the least it would win awards…

Carmen Cavallaro And His Orchestra feat. Marion Sunshine And Obdulio Morales - ‘Enlloro (Voodoo Moon)’ (1943)

Performance in Hollywood Canteen