NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY MARCH, 2008 New York President’S Message
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
New New York Sheet Music Socsileetty e VOLUME 29, NUMBERS6 INCwwwE.NYS1MS.o9rg 80 MARCH 2008 r DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF CLASSIC POPULAR MUSIC Like Love…The Popular Songs of Andre Previn Like Great: Karen Oberlin By Gregg Culling Our February meeting provided our Another score that I members and guests with a performance have always loved, but that was better than anything I have seen had forgotten that on the current Broadway stages. Karen Previn had Oberlin still holds an audience with her anything to do charm, beauty and talent, just as she did with, is “Good when she performed her Doris Day show for Companions.” s g n i l And “Inside l us a few years ago. Karen knows how to i Daisy Clover!” B grab and hold an audience. No tricks. She e s just came on stage, and started singing Every cabaret o R y “Lose Me Now,” a song Previn wrote with his singer has a b o whack at t once-wife, Dory. In between songs, but not o h every song, we learned a lot about Andre “You’re Gonna P Previn. He had been a child prodigy, and Hear from was doing scores for movies while he was Me,” but Karen showed us how it should be still a teenager, or, rather…barely a teenager. sung. Hollywood had the not-so-bright idea One part of his life was devoted to of putting non-singers (Lee Marvin, Clint conducting the Pittsburgh Symphony Eastwood, Jean Seburg) in the leads for Orchestra (I wonder if he actually lived in “Paint Your Wagon,” so nobody came to see Pittsburgh?) . But most of his life was it (Well, almost nobody ...). So it is no devoted to composing music, both classical wonder that “Darkest Before the Dawn,” and popular, and getting married. At any which was added to the movie, remained rate, the songs that Karen sang were more more or less unheard until Karen sang it. than just lovely…they were very graphic. And she really made it sing. Karen Oberlin: One could see the flowers on the hill, and a synonym for “Couldn’t be Better!” feel the break-ups. Most of the songs were unfamiliar, which is a novelty in itself with When Karen did her Doris Day tribute for this audience. I had forgotten how beautiful us , I reviewed her CD of DD songs. I was some of them were (The Theme from in hopes that she had a Previn record to “Valley of the Dolls,” for instance. If only review, but not yet. It would be great to the movie had been more memorable) . have, as there just aren’t enough people Previn was very smart in choosing his lyric aware of Previn’s talent in the jazz/popular writers, and Karen really brought those music field. His work reminds me of Alec lyrics to life. “Gingerbread joys and ice Wilder, both in its brilliant subtlety and cream dream…” “dependable as a feather…” unfortunate obscurity. Continued on page 7 PAGE 2 NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY MARCH, 2008 New York President’s Message... Sheet Music Society A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION What a superb program Karen Oberlin presented to us , on the music of Andre Previn, featuring Andy Ezrin on piano OFFICERS and Saadi Zain on bass. In case you missed it, a description and photos are in this issue , and if you were there, you can recapture the memories PRESIDENT: of this wonderful afternoon. Linda Amiel Burns It was an honor to speak at the fine memorial service for John Wallowitch 1st VICE PRESIDENTS: at St. Peter’s Church on February 11th (which would have been John’s Lynn DiMenna & Sam Teicher 82nd birthday) , produced by Margot Astrachan. Gregg Culling has written an article on this special service which celebrated the life of this uniquely 2nd VICE PRESIDENTS: talented man. Elaine Stritch, Mark Nadler, KT Sullivan, Lynn Lobban and Robert Kimball & Sandy Marrone many others came to talk about John and sing his songs. John would have loved it! TREASURER: Glen Charlow I will be given a special MAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD at the MAC 56 Garrison Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306 Awards Ceremony on May 6th at BB King’s for my 30-year contribution to the world of cabaret and music. I’m sure this includes my ten years as MEMBERSHIP: president of the NYSMS , as well as my many years as producer/director of Glen Charlow & Trudi Mann The Singing Experience. I will let you know how to get tickets when we get closer to the event. The best part is that I don’t have to wait for someone to open an envelope and smile when my name isn’t called ! RECORDING SECRETARY Anyway, I am very honored and thrilled about being recognized by my Edie Stokes peers. PROGRAMS & SPECIAL EVENTS: Don’t miss our last four programs of the seasons : Elliott Ames & Sandi Durell . March 8: MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS: John Meyer –“How I Became a Songwriter.” John will tell us about Laura Slutsky the early days hanging around the Brill Building, sing and play his songs , and tell us about his relationship with Judy Garland, the WEBSITE: subject of the well-received book, “Heartbreaker.” John graduated Debi Smith from Fieldston High School with my brother – so I have known this http://www.NYSMS.org talented composer/performer all of my life! April 12: NEWSLETTER EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Author Brian Kellow author of the fabulously -reviewed new Ethel Jerry Laird Merman book, will be bringing a Merman sound-alike who will be [email protected] singing the songs Merman made famous , accompanied by David 214 Highland Ave., Norwalk, CT 06853 Brunetti on piano. May 10: ASSISTANT EDITOR: Sandi Durell’s Annual New Songwriters’ Showcase. This Program Joan Adams always has show -stopping talent and features the composers who are creating the new standards. Sandi promises that this will be GRAPHIC DESIGNER: another brilliant afternoon of discovery. Glen Charlow June 14: Sheila Weiler will present her show on the late and great Sylvia [email protected] Syms. Remember Sheila’s program on Larry Hart? Well, this will be equally wonderful , with Barry Levitt as Musical Director and Now you can directed by yours truly. join or renew your See you all on March 8 at Local 802. Come early and enjoy our “flea membership ONLINE! market” and find some treasures. It’s all right there, spelled out for you, in 3 easy steps! Linda www.NYSMS.org and follow the NEW link in the maroon bar. MARCH, 2008 NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY PAGE 3 Linda Amiel Burns’ next Singing Experience,“Breezin’ Along” begins on March 19th, with a performance at the Triad on April 16th at 7:30. Call Linda for information and reservations: 212-315-3500 Member News... Sandi Durell and her partner Shari Upbin (ShaRell Productions) are gearing up for the continuation of their upcoming revues going south to Hail to the Chief!! On May 6th (mark your calendars) Linda Amiel Burns Florida this season. “Timeless Divas! Goes Hollywood,“ recently performed will receive a MAC award at their annual meeting. And you don’t even have at Lynn University in Boca Raton in Oct. ‘07 and continues in Jan. ‘08, at to vote for her: it’s a special award for her many years of creative and Zinman Hall in Boca Raton, Fl. In April ‘08 “ Timeless Divas on Broadway“ devoted service to the Cabaret community. can be seen at the Crest Theatre in DelRay Beach, Fl. Many NY Broadway performers appear in these revues. More information is available at Carol Shedlin will be all Hart with her new show, “I Feel at Home With www.timelessdivas.com You,” in the New Room at Don’t Tell Mama . 7:30 on April 13, 14, 26 & 27. Jon Delfin on Piano. Saadi Zain on Bass. Aaron Morishita , Dir. 212- 757-0788 $15 cover ($10 for NYSMS, MAC, and Singing Experience. No Trudi Mann’s Open Mic is now at the Butterfield Eight Restaurant , 5 East credit cards. 38th St. 212-679-0646) from 1 to 5. If you’re gonna’ sing, bring two copies of your music. Sign in starts around noon. No cover, but the “hat’ is passed I know I mentioned this last month, but it deserves to be repeated: Ervin and of behalf of the musicians. $16 min. Edith Drake were Tributed (editors are allowed to make up words when it’s appropriate and gets their names first…and it is here!) at Sardi’s for Anthony DeFlorio is listening to Philadelphia’s new Martini Lounge Radio Musical Mondays on Sunday, Feb 10th . www.MusicalMondays.org or 1340 AM. This fabulous music has been away from the Philadelphia radio phone 212- 868- 4444 dial far too long! Please help me spread the word about this exciting new station. Tell your friends about our blend of classics from Frank Sinatra, Scot Albertson will be at the Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee as well as terrific new artists Michael Buble’, Café (407 W 42 Street) Friday April 4 at 8. 212-695-6909. Cov $20. Min Harry Connick Jr and Diana Krall. (scroll down). I received this as e-mail $15 Credit cards ok and was asked to forward it to 10 friends in the area and ask them to forward to 10 friends. So, if you happen to live in the Philadelphia area, why not Camille Savitz will be at the Reprise Room at Dillons (245 West 54th.