So, like a lot of folks, we spent a little time exploring videos featuring Whitney Houston this weekend in the wake of her death on Saturday afternoon. We did so with the kids -- they didn't have any questions about why she died, and they are, it is safe to say, not up on her reality-TV career with ex-husband Bobby Brown. We just wanted to have them hear her voice, which was pretty danged special.
Although I always preferred her peppy early dance hits to the ballads that Clive Davis (and the American music-buying public) apparently preferred, I was struck by her rendition of the U.S. National Anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl. This was, of course, shortly after the U.S. invaded Iraq, so the odd confluence of sports patriotism and national patriotism that is normally on display at the Super Bowl was cranked way up, and Houston could have approached the song Very Seriously.
But just watch the video. She was a performer, of course, and was practiced at the art of the outward appearance, but I swear the sheer joy of this performance is what made (and makes) it so popular. A couple times during the performance, she just looks off to the side and gives a small grin, like she's saying, "I got this." Were many more musical performances (especially of the national anthem) that joyful. Rest in peace, Whitney.
Whitney Houston - "The Star Spangled Banner" (Live at the 1991 Super Bowl) [YouTube]
Monday Morning Smile: The Joy of Books
There's a reason this video had over 300,000 views within 48 hours of its release a couple weeks ago: it's enchanting. Sean and Lisa Ohlenkamp (and their friends) make a Toronto bookstore come to life using stop-motion animation. Regardless of whether you're pro- or anti-Kindle (and I think you can guess on which of the debate this video would side), the word "magical" isn't too much of a stretch to describe this.
The Joy of Books [YouTube]
Monday Morning Smile: "They Don't Know" - Tracey Ullman
OK, this "Monday Morning Smile" is being posted on Tuesday, but I view it sort of like recycling pick-up -- if your regular day falls on a holiday, then it happens the next day, right?
There's nothing kid-focused about this song and video from Tracey Ullman, but it's a fabulous cover of the late Kirsty MacColl's "They Don't Know" by Tracey Ullman. Ullman signed to the British punk label Stiff to release You Broke My Heart in 17 Places in 1983, and, even more oddly, generated actual pop hits from this album. She anticipated the British retro-wave by, what, 25 years, and this song, which I saw about 47,000 times on MTV (actual number), still holds up. That "bay-ee-bee" just before the final verse? MacColl herself. (You can listen to MacColl's original 1979 recording here.)
Tracey Ullman - "They Don't Know" [YouTube]
Monday Morning Smile: "Down by the Salley Gardens" - Yale Whiffenpoofs
Miss Mary Mack had her first school choir concert of the year last week. 90-odd kids singing with no small degree of talent. Hearing her sing in that choir made me happy for many reasons, not the least of which was that I'd heard her singing this song through the house for the past month and so I was glad to hear it in polished, choral form.
My favorite song her choir sang was "Down by the Salley Gardens," which is based on an 1889 poem by W.B. Yeats with a vocal setting by Benjamin Britten:
Down by the salley gardens my love and I did meet; She passed the salley gardens with little snow-white feet. She bid me take life easy, as the leaves grow on the tree; But I, being young and foolish, with her did not agree. In a field by the river my love and I did stand, And on my leaning shoulder she placed her snow-white hand. She bid me take love easy, as the grass grows on the weirs; But I was young and foolish, and now am full of tears.As you might expect, hearing these words from a bunch of middle schoolers put a different spin on the text. But Britten's setting (and his piano accompaniment) is so very lovely and made me smile. Wistfully, perhaps, but smile nonetheless. Also: so short -- totally memorizable. Now to track down chords. Anyway, this is one of the best versions I could find online. It omits the piano and so isn't quite the version I heard, but the melody is the same. Yale Whiffenpoofs - "Down by the Salley Gardens" [YouTube]
Wordzworth
[With apologies to The New Yorker's "Shouts & Murmurs" section.]
KIDZ BOP Hits The Books! KIDZ BOP and ADAMS MEDIA INTRODUCE THE FIRST-EVER BOOK SERIES BASED ON THE #1 KIDS’ MUSIC BRAND THIS AUGUST: BOSTON, MA (August 1, 2011) — Happy Birthday KIDZ BOP! The #1 music brand for kids ages 5-12 in the U.S is turning 10 this summer. To celebrate, KIDZ BOP is turning the page, starting a new chapter and launching the first-ever KIDZ BOP books! KIDZ BOP invites fans and young readers to join the party when three all-new book titles hit shelves this week. [Press Release]
MEMORANDUM
To:Philip Browner, Senior Executive VP
From:Justine Brennan, VP for New Products
Now that the first three books in the "KIDZ BOP BOOKS" series ready for immediate release, I wanted to let you know we have finalized the galleys for the next books in the series. Just as the Kidz Bop albums bring in tween-aged kids to sing along, we've brought in kids as young as 6 to help use rewrite great books at a more age-appropriate level. They've been a key partner in our authoring process.
As you are aware, our long term plan is to alternate applying the Kidz Bop touch to new books with tackling more classic literature. (I'm pleased with our progress on our version of The Hunger Games, in which Katniss and Peeta are sent to the Capitol for a fun party and foosball tournament.) You are welcome to review the galleys for this set of Kidz Bop takes on classic literature at any time, but I wanted to give you a sense of what the books will entail. Please pass along any comments you might have.
Justine
*******
Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell To Arms
"It is very dangerous. DANGEROUS [shouted]" The nurse went into the room and shut the door. I sat outside in the hall. Everything was gone inside of me. I did not think. I could not think. I knew she was going to die SMILE and I prayed that she would not FLOP. Don't let her die. Oh, God, please don't let her die. I'll do anything for you if you won't ler her die. Please, please, please, dear God, don't let her die. Dear God, don't let her die. Please, please, please don't let her die. God please make her not die. I'll do anything you say if you don't let her die. You took the baby but don't let her die. That was all right but don't let her die. Please, please, dear God, don't let her die."
Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
KIDZ BOP Hits The Books! KIDZ BOP and ADAMS MEDIA INTRODUCE THE FIRST-EVER BOOK SERIES BASED ON THE #1 KIDS’ MUSIC BRAND THIS AUGUST: BOSTON, MA (August 1, 2011) — Happy Birthday KIDZ BOP! The #1 music brand for kids ages 5-12 in the U.S is turning 10 this summer. To celebrate, KIDZ BOP is turning the page, starting a new chapter and launching the first-ever KIDZ BOP books! KIDZ BOP invites fans and young readers to join the party when three all-new book titles hit shelves this week. [Press Release]
MEMORANDUM
To:Philip Browner, Senior Executive VP
From:Justine Brennan, VP for New Products
Now that the first three books in the "KIDZ BOP BOOKS" series ready for immediate release, I wanted to let you know we have finalized the galleys for the next books in the series. Just as the Kidz Bop albums bring in tween-aged kids to sing along, we've brought in kids as young as 6 to help use rewrite great books at a more age-appropriate level. They've been a key partner in our authoring process.
As you are aware, our long term plan is to alternate applying the Kidz Bop touch to new books with tackling more classic literature. (I'm pleased with our progress on our version of The Hunger Games, in which Katniss and Peeta are sent to the Capitol for a fun party and foosball tournament.) You are welcome to review the galleys for this set of Kidz Bop takes on classic literature at any time, but I wanted to give you a sense of what the books will entail. Please pass along any comments you might have.
Justine
*******
Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell To Arms
"It is very Monday Morning Smile: "All Is Not Lost" - OK Go
Speaking of Pilobolus, OK Go's latest video is a collaboration between the band and the dance troupe for OK Go's new song "All Is Not Lost." It takes just a little while to figure out what's going on, and then it becomes increasingly hypnotic. You and your kids can even play with an interactive version of the video.
Also, I'm thinking of just renaming these "Monday Morning Smile" videos for OK Go since I seem to use them a lot for this purpose.
OK Go - "All Is Not Lost" [YouTube]
