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Michel Legrand was one of my favorite composers and "Watch What Happens" remains one of my favorite songs. Our world is a richer place because of his extraordinary musical contributions.
I love anything Jobim (Antonio Carlos). I believe I first heard this song as an instrumental with a magnificent Claus Ogerman arrangement (arrangers are my musical heroes). So when I learned there were lyrics, I had to add it to the act. It's also the only song I've recorded twice ... albeit 25 years apart. I think I had to grow into it.
Many years ago, a friend gave me a Sinatra recording of "Star," which I had actually never heard before. He had also sung it for a "Best Song" nomination at the 1969 Oscars (and to salute all the lady "stars" in the audience). Tough crowd. None of them looked very happy. Originally, though, it was sung by Julie Andrew in the film "Star" in which she portrayed British actress Gertrude Lawrence.
This song has both a great lyric and a terrific melody. It was also the song played throughout one of my favorite motion pictures, "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." I wish Spencer Tracey would somehow return today to deliver again that wonderful eleventh-hour speech at the film's conclusion reminding us of our humanity ... as individuals, as communities and as nations.
I love learning the backstory of things. My deciding to "retire" from musical retirement was an interesting process, so we did a video about it. You never know who/what might come along and kick you into action!
It was a stroke of good luck that I landed at Horse Latitudes Recording Studio for this session. Many thanks to Producer Johnny Harris, Studio Chief Engineer/Co-Owner Michael Dumas and, of course, studio founder, Robby Krieger. It was not only a great place to record but video tape as well.
This most-recent recording project started with Johnny Harris, as producer and music director. He not only arranged for the studio, the great musicians and the incredible conductor, but his son's video company produced all seven videos. After working with Johnny at the Palm Springs Follies for 14 years, as the show's senior communications manager, it was a treat to finally work with him musically!
I always like to have an audience participation number in my act and this one of my favorites. The song is "Samba Saravah" and you just never know what the ladies are going to do onstage! In another number, I get the MEN onstage to be Rockettes for the night.
This show was called "Festivale!" and I produced it for Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. I wasn't 'in' it, but was casino entertainment manager at the time. What a great cast, crew, technical team, creative team and production team. And the music was so good, it could have been released as an album, thanks to our music producer and arranger, Joe Lano. He hired the best musicians in Las Vegas and we recorded it at the UNLV studio.