The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge Inspired by Dramatic Publishing's post on Facebook today about Christmas quickly approaching, I thought I'd shamelessly post about my play The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge. I think it's a fun show with a lovely message. But then again I wrote it so I'm a bit biased. And who doesn't like watching ghosts on the witness stand? And who knew that the big old scary Ghost of Christmas is basically Woody Allen in a shroud, complaining [...]
Over the years there have been many terrific covers of the beautiful Rodgers and Hart song My Funny Valentine: Chet Baker, Elvis Costello, Sarah, Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Botti with Sting, and of course Miles Davis. But I think the most mesmerizing (albeit controversial performance) of the song was by Alice Fredenham. Alice Fredenham Wows on Britain's Got Talent Alice Fredenham sang My Funny Valentine on Britain's Got Talent in 2013. She appeared nervous and insecure but then sang the daylights out [...]
Another year is upon us and that means another round of resolutions are made. I read somewhere that only 8% of New Year Resolutions are successful. That's not a great statistic but it might not be the worst thing in the world. Think of the stress relief when you no longer have to succeed at a resolution. Take my resolution to write a post every day in 2014. Already broken. Boom. I now have 362 stress-free days. There are, however, [...]
Happy New Year. May 2014 bring you happiness beyond belief. Here are some images of New Year celebrations from around the world. New Year's Eve, London New Year's Eve, Scotland New Year's Eve, Moscow New Year's Eve, Kuala Lumpur New Year's Eve, Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong New Year's Eve, New York New Year's Eve, Great Wall, China New Year's Eve, Taipei
Steven Dennis, director of the DeSales University production of The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, recently sent me a few pictures of the production. I have to say the production looks like it was awesome. Thanks to one and all who worked on this production. Jacob Marley all mad about something. The Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come complaining about the thickness of his shroud and The Translator.
Song #25 of 25 Days of Christmas Songs is not only a fantastic song but a cherished tradition on The David Letterman Show. In 1986 the incomparable Darlene Love performed Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and has performed the song every year since then. A ton of people have covered the song since it first debuted in 1963 on the Phil Spector produced album A Christmas Gift To You From Phil Spector. But no one sings it like [...]
There are so many fantastic Christmas songs that I have to add another one. Song #24 1/2 of my 25 Days of Christmas Songs is The Kinks' Father Christmas. Father Christmas was released in 1977, a magical year for me. Despite the seemingly anti-Christmas appearance - a gang of kids beating up a department store Father Christmas and telling him to give them money instead of gifts - at its heart is the spirit of Christmas: the spirit [...]
Song #24 of my 25 Days of Christmas Songs list is the very aptly named Merry Christmas To You by the Salem Travelers. A fantastic gospel group, the Salem Travelers formed in the early 1960s in Chicago. I'm not sure what year Merry Christmas To You was first released. In fact, I don't know what happened to The Salem Travelers. But I do know I love this song. I was going to make my own video of the [...]
What could be better than Mel Torme, The Velvet Fog, singing The Christmas Song? How about Mel Torme singing The Christmas Song but remixed? My #23 song of 25 Days of Christmas is The Christmas Song (Michael Kessler Open Fire Mix). I have no idea how this remix came to be but I like it. The Christmas Song was written in 1944 by Mel Torme and Bob Wells in a blistering 40-minutes. Best 40-minutes of their lives. This [...]
Damn, just when I caught up on my 25 Days of Christmas Songs, I fell behind. Okay, I have to make up a day today. Song #22 of my 25 Days of Christmas Songs is not, I repeat, not a family song. It's Christmas in Hollywood by Los Angeles-based rap band Hollywood Undead. I can't explain why I like this song. It's laced with foul language but I like the hook of the song. So if you're leaning [...]
