There are two main reasons for this blog. Number one, I like to make quality backup sequences available to anyone who can use them. Most of my readers are vocalists without a band, but I do have some duos and trios who just want a fuller sound. My second reason is to make younger musicians aware of older songs they would otherwise never hear – but should have in their repertoire. This is one of those songs.
“Our Love is Here to Stay” was written in 1938 (a loooong time ago) by George Gershwin – lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It’s been used in several movies and recorded by just about everybody. The best rendition, by far, is by Natalie Cole. Don’t listen to Sinatra’s version – it absolutely sucks!
My arrangement for this song is simple and easy to follow. A little quicker in tempo than the original, but that’s the way I like it and this is my blog so sue me! There’s a nice, easy tenor sax solo in the middle 16 bars I think you’ll like – not pretentious at all – unlike most sax solos.  It’s on the Jazz/Swing list.
My fondest memory of this song is from the TV show “The Honeymooners”. Whenever Ralph had to apologize to Alice, “Our Love is Here to Stay” played in the background… (sigh) a much sweeter time.

Who knew? Madonna is her real name – born Madonna Louise Ciccone in Bay City, Michigan. Everyone else in the bloody world probably knows that fact but, since I’ve never been a fan, it was news to me. The woman is wondrously talented – 300 million records sold worldwide and is generally acclaimed as the best-selling female recording artist of all time. She writes and produces all her songs and manages to reinvent herself every other week or so. Add actress and astute businesswoman to the mix and you’ve got…well… Madonna.
I still don’t like her. Maybe it’s her politics or her over-the-top immorality or both. I’m not a prude by any stretch, but she still leaves me a bit squeamish and a lot disgusted. Her music is just a hair too polished and studio-like. But there’s this one song – “La Isla Bonita” – that I absolutely love. This one should be in your set list even as old as it is (1986). Put it as the 4th song in the 3rd set but please don’t follow it with “Vogue” (Man, I hate that song!). Listen to the sequence below then download the midi from the list in the blog-roll. It’s worth revisiting…
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/o9xlxc2vccd38dj/La_Isla_Bonita_-_Listen

The song “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” was originally recorded by Elvis in 1961 and was featured in the film “Blue Hawaii”. It went platinum – selling over one million copies. In the 60’s and 70’s he used it as his final number for every show. It was also the closer for his 1973 global telecast “Aloha From Hawaii”. According to Wikipedia, Elvis did a faster and sloppier arrangement as the closing number for Presley’s final TV special “Elvis in Concert”.
Okay, so it’s a nice love song and a huge hit. But here’s the rub – Elvis wasn’t the first to do the song! Supposedly, it was written for Elvis by Hugo Peretti and George David Weiss, but I’m here to tell you they stole the melody line from a Frenchman, Jean-Paul Martini. The song was originally called “Plaisir d’amour” and was written by Martini in 1784. Even some of the lyrics from this classic love song were lifted to fit the bridge to Preseley’s version – kinda. Elvis sings “like a river flows, surely to the sea” – but the French lyrics are ” as long as this water will run gently towards this brook which borders the meadow”. Close enough!
Need proof? In 1949 Montgomery Clift played the piano and sang “Plaisir d’amour” in the film “The Heiress”. Watch the clip from the movie (listed below) and see if you don’t think it was ripped off for the Elvis classic. Oh, the things you learn…
Anyway, it’s a great tune and is on my midi download list – Elvis style (sorta). Get it and perform it…. with a martini.
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/253247/Heiress-The-Movie-Clip-The-Joys-of-Love.html

    We have two different renditions of this song in our repertoire – the original classic by Van Morrison and a smooth, finger-snappin’ swing version by Michael Buble.  You can listen to Buble’s version above (it’s on the Jazz/Swing list). Obviously, the Van Morrison original (Pop/Rock) is preferred in most venues, but occasionally, you can slip in the jazzier Buble and get away with it. I like to do them both – one after the other – just to get people’s attention. Usually works.
And speaking of Michael Buble – someone please tell me why this guy’s so hugely popular. He’s a mediocre singer at best and his stage presence is just, well…smarmy. I can’t stand to watch him perform – makes my skin crawl. Really, how much charisma can you expect from a guy who once used the stage name Mickey Bubbles? So what’s the reason for his success? It’s his arranging style that does it (IF he does his own arrangements). Every song is tight, sophisticated, and infused with incredible jazz licks. I’ll listen to his band all night long – HE can take a very long break…

This song was written by Sam Cooke and recorded by him in 1962. It is listed as one of the top 500 songs that shaped rock’n’roll. The original sequence I put up went through the song 7 times – with no instrumental solos – and there are only four verses. Very awkward to perform if you ask me. So I added two more instruments (sax and blues guitar) and came up with a different arrangement. You’ll sing the first 3 verses as they are, then a sax solo, then a blues guitar solo, sing the 4th verse then back to the first verse and out. Makes for a nice smooth arrangement and is stageworthy. Download the midi sequence from the song list on the right and perform!
Listen to it here:
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/5xo0uf80zbnxqqn/Bring_it_on_Home_to_Me_-_Listen

… I’m sure you do, but this is about the song. Take this standard by Clapton and do it Michael Buble’ style. You end up with a smooth bossa that’ll be perfect for your next hotel lobby gig. It’s listed as You Look Wonderful Tonight (2).  Clapton’s original is version 1. Give it a try – it’s… well… just wonderful!!!
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=wonderful+tonight+buble&FORM=VIRE3#view=detail&mid=E34FB17FEDD0C75EA65FE34FB17FEDD0C75EA65F

 Peter Noone was born in the county of Lancashire, England in 1947. At the tender age of 16, he bacame the lead singer and frontman for a band called “Herman’s Hermits”. They released their first song in 1964 – a cover of “I’m Into Something Good” – and it went straight to number 1 in the U.K. and as high as 13 in the United States. They had a slew of hits through the mid-sixties – mostly silly love songs (emphasis on silly) – but their music was uncomplicated, non-threatening and quite well-produced. Peter re-released the song as a solo in 1989 for the movie “The Naked Gun” (see below) and was used in The Family Guy and “The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue” (I told you they were silly).
We worked this song into our act and people love it – most have never heard of it. Peter Noone now resides in Santa Barbara, California, and I’m sure he’d be pleased that one of his hits is still so well-received. I’m sharing our sequence for it on my list.

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/xmafudbfnxt1x7j/I’m_Into_Something_Good_-_Listen

    Way back when in ’72, I first heard a cello used in pop music. The song was “Taxi” by Harry Chapin. I quickly became a huge fan and was devastated in 1981 when Harry was killed in a car accident. If you’ve never heard of Harry Chapin, it’s worth a “google” to listen to some of his music – especially the cello behind it all. Harry always told a story and I think you might enjoy it.
But I digress – my main focus here is the song “Secrets” by One Republic. There’s that haunting sound of the cello again and played so artfully by Brent Kutzle. I found a midi sequence for the song, tweaked it a little (well, a lot) and put it on my list. If you’re a singer who could use some backing tracks for this song, this is for you. Give a listen and a download and… here’s to Harry!