2 posts tagged “romantic”

I caught Woody Allen’s latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona and I’m pleased to announce he’s in top form again; brilliantly funny and insightful, stunning locales - Well, I never been to Spain - (but I sure want to go after seeing this), top production values and the acting is sharp especially Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz.

What I found most fascinating, however, was the emotional response I had when the credits began to roll. Who could image simple white type over a black background (the font treatment is EF Windsor Light Condensed and there is a great blog post about it here) could inspire such warm feelings. I felt in the company of an old friend, our relationship forged by an emotional connection that stretched back some 30+ years. That familiar credit sequence was a personal guarantee of what was to unfold over the ensuing 90 minutes. And isn’t that essentially what a great brand does. Establishes a unique promise, creates an emotional connection with the consumer, and then keeps its word and delivers on all aspects of that promise. GM are you listening?

I was so engaged that I felt compelled to go watch a number of his older films; Hannah and Her Sisters, Crimes & Misdemeanors and Annie Hall.

In all of them his musical choices are sensational, acting as a Greek chorus, commenting on and foretelling plot developments. Here are the opening credit songs from both Vicky Cristina and the aforementioned Hannah and Her Sisters.

This jaunty opening number titled Barcelona not only introduces the two main characters of Vicky and Cristina, it also promises intrigue, sensuality, a bit of danger, and the foreign locale of the city itself. 

Listen carefully and you'll even hear a Theremin near the end of the track, which indicates a certain level of eccentricity will be added to the film's frothy mix. Earthy and vibrant, I’d add it and the rest of the soundtrack to the set list at your next Wine Tasting, which would also benefit greatly from the purchase of a few bottles of Tres Picos, a wonderful Garnacha.

Recorded in 1941, Harry James’ version of You Made Me Love You opens Hannah and Her Sisters. Note the way it instantly sets a romantic and nostalgic mood.  For me it captures the war years. While James’ trumpet finds a strand of sweetness, there’s still something very sad and gray about this song.

Perhaps it’s the lyric, “You made me love you. I didn’t want to do it, I didn’t want to do it.” Hmmm, maybe it’s me but that line leaves something less than a ringing, romantic endorsement to my ears. In any case, this one is ripe for cocktails or a birthday/anniversary mix for a family member over 75.

Finally, here’s a song that celebrates the finding of a few cherished friends who will walk side by side with us on this long, wacky road trip. From Simon and Garfunkel’s brilliant 1968 release Bookends, Old Friends caresses the listener with gentle, carmelized colors. Bittersweet strings counterpoint Paul and Art’s gorgeous harmonies, and the lyrics evoke memories of future day’s past from the perspective of a young man.  “How terribly strange to be seventy.”  Folks, I’m here to tell you this is good stuff. Call your oldest and dearest friends and let 'em know how you feel because it's getting late.

With gas at $4.50 a gallon and rising, an economy tanking faster than you can twitter, one nasty, partisan campaign just concluded and a larger, nastier one looming on the horizon, it's a wonder Pfizer's stock hasn't tripled in the last 12 months. That said, it's nice to know the Ojai Music Festival is still going strong after 62 years.

Situated amidst century old oak trees, the open air atmosphere of Libbey Bowl is a throwback to a kinder era when families would gather in the local park after supper, stretching out on the grass to listen to an orchestra perform.

Friday night's program began with a engaging performance of George Antheil's A Jazz Symphony. Written in 1925, it is one of the first classical pieces (along with Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue) that was heavily influenced by the jazz age.  This was followed by El Gran Masturbador, a new work by French composer, Francois Narboni, which to my ears had some interesting moments, but never really went anywhere. The evening finished with a screening of Chaplin's Modern Times performed by the full orchestra under the leadership of David Robertson. The score, written by the Little Tramp himself, and which introduced the beautiful ballad Smile, was arranged by a young David Raksin - who would later compose the scores to Laura and The Bad and the Beautiful (see below) - and conducted by the legendary Alfred Newman. Lying on the grass along with 300 others, alternating between the film's black and white images and the incredibly full starry sky, time seemed to stop, and the music just carried me away.

David Raksin had an innate gift; the ability to write long haunting melody lines. This rendition of The Bad and The Beautiful by Charlie Haden's Quartet West is a perfect example.  Over Alan Broadbent's sparce piano, Ernie Watts' breathy, tenor sax states the main theme. His warm tone perfectly captures the allure of Hollywood in all it's backstabbing, romantic optimism. I can visualize Kirk Douglas making his passionate pitch to Lana Turner. Add this to the mix at next year's Oscar bash.