Thoughts on arts, life, and current events

After a delicious dinner of homestyle pasta at Pasta Mia in Adams Morgan we walked around in the rain looking for live music.  Passing Cafe Lautrec  I remembered the great times when AM was still a “fringe” neighborhood.  All that remains of that charming place is the Lautrec painting on the exterior of the building.  Gone is the piano player.  Before Coyote Ugly or Hogs and Heffers had women dancing on the bar Cafe Lautrec had a tap dancer on its bar.  Cities across the street is gone as is Sahir the owner.  Many familiar places are no more.  Fortunately we strolled in to Columbia Station where without a cover charge in a very laid back casual ambiance we heard some great jazz.  During break Peter Edelman went around introducing himself and speaking with each guest.  Initially when we arrived the trumpet sounded too loud.  The bass too faint.  The sax trombone, drums, and piano were all doing their thing.  Then as each of the various musicians played it happened.  The jazz pick up game was out of the box.   It came together.  With each song it got better and better.  It was hypnotic.  Finally the last song Watermelon Man with Butch Warren on bass and Peter Edelman on the piano and the others playing it was perfect.  I hardly noticed the torrential rain walking to the car.  Jazz had soothed my soul and the world was smiling!

Columbia Station

Live music five nights and two afternoons per week.

202-462-6040

Powered by Bookmarkify™

I’m not nearly as prosiac as Susan is, so you’ll have to put up with my growing infatuation with music from the swing years, as broadcast on a pirate radio station here!

Ok so for this am’s playlist on Wonderful 102.9, songs from the great american songbook here in our nations capitol (Who is this guy anyhow?):

- The Rock And Roll Waltz by Kay Starr From the Album Capitol Collectors Series
- Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold Of The Day) by Bing Crosby From the Album Bing-His Legendary Years 1931-1957
And this gem:
- The Moon Of Manakoora by Dorothy Lamour From the Album The Moon Of Manakoora - 25 Romantic Favorites,
but they actually played this one:
- Moon of Manakoora by Vaughn Monroe From the Album Listener’s Digest - Vaughn Monroe

The Moon Of Manakoora

The moon of Manakoora filled the night
with magic Polynesian charms.
The moon of Manakoora came in sight
and brought you to my eager arms.

The moon of Manakoora soon will rise
again above the island shore.
Then I’ll behold it in your dusky eyes
and you’ll be in my arms once more.
Introduced by Dorothy Lamour in the motion picture,
The Hurricane (United Artists, 1937)
Lyrics: Frank Loesser * Music: Alfred Newman

So next up was April love
which they had I think a pat boone version of, but I like this one:
- April Love by Columbia River Group Entertainment From the Album Hits From The Musicals

APRIL LOVE
(Paul F. Webster - Sammy Fain)
« © ‘57 WB Music, ASCAP »

Has anybody here seen April dressed in na gown of green
She walks in a world of enchaintment where no one ever grows much older
Than seventeen

April love is for the very young
Every star’s a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true

I know sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
This rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she’s the one don’t let her run away
[ strings ]
So if she’s the one don’t let her run away

- The Girl From Ipanema by Stan Getz From the Album Gold, never get tired of that

- Dancing In The Dark (1988 Digital Remaster) by Frank Sinatra From the Album Come Dance With Me!
and finally, not from today but the other afternoon:
- Bell Bottom Trousers by Guy Lombardo From the Album Enjoy Yourself: The Hits Of Guy Lombardo

Once there was a little girl who lived next to me
And she loved a sailor boy, he was only three
Now he’s on a battleship in his sailor suit
Just a great big sailor but she thinks he’s very cute

(With his bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue
She loves her sailor and he loves her too)

When her sailor boy’s away on the ocean blue
Soldier boys all flirt with her but to him she’s true
Though they smile and tip their caps and they wink their eyes
She just smiles and shakes her head, then she softly sighs

(Oh, bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue
She loves her sailor and he loves her too)

When her sailor went to sea to see what he could see
She saw that he ate spinach, now he’s big as he can be
When he’s home they stroll along, they don’t give a hoot
She won’t let go of his hand, even to salute

If her sailor she can’t find on the bounding main
She is hopeful he will soon come home safe again
So they can get married and raise a family
Dress up all their kiddies in sailor’s dungarees

(Oh, bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue
She loves her sailor and he loves her too)
Of course there is an uncensored version that is MUCH more humerous!!!

Bell-Bottom Trousers
by Salty Dick
From the Album Salty Dick’s Uncensored Sailor Songs

Powered by Bookmarkify™