December 14 - Spike Jones; Capel Jones (The Musical Birthday Series, 7th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 14th are here: Christopher Parkening; Spike Jones (2019), Maria Szymanowska (2020),, Maria Szmanowska (2021), Jan Antonín Koželuh (2022), Christopher Parkening (2023), and Rosalyn Tureck (2024)

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Spike Jones (14 December 1911 – May 1, 1965) was an American big band leader specializing in comic and novelty arrangements. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping Up with the...

A Spike Jones satirical spoof

Was never demure or aloof;

When a ballad begins

He is sure to use pins

To explode the whole thing through the roof.

 

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Capel Bond (14 December 1730 – 14 February 1790) was an English organist and composer of seldom revived works in a post-Handelian style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonding

I wonder what drink he preferred,

(This man of whom I've not heard).

Was this Mr. Bond,

Like that other one, fond

Of martinis when shaken not stirred?

 

 

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November 30 - Allan Sherman (The Musical Birthday Series, 7th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for November 30th are here: Carl Loewe (2019), Allan Sherman (2020), Charles-Valentin Alkan (2021), Weston Noble (2022), Clay Aiken (2023), and Andreas Werckmeister (2024)

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Allan Sherman (30 November 1924 – 20 November 1973) had a short career in the early 1960s singing enormously successful comic song parodies. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O Fortuna

Sherman's career success was short-lived: after peaking in 1963, his popularity declined rather quickly. – Wikipedia

Allan Sherman's sudden rise

Took the pundits by surprise;

Alas, they weren't surprised at all

By Allan Sherman's sudden fall.

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In High Places

The popularity of "Sarah Jackman" (his parody of "Frere Jacques") was enhanced after President John F. Kennedy was overheard singing the song in the lobby of the Carlyle hotel. -- Wikipedia

His parodies, though frivolous,

   Were eminently quotable,

And they were often quoted by

   The lowly and the notable.

 

 

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January 3 - Victor Borge (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for January 3rd are here: Victor Borge; Henriette Sontag (2020), Victor Borge (2021), Stephen Stills (2022), Victor Borge (2023), and Victor Borge (2024)

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Victor Borge (3 January 1909 – 23 December 2000) was a Danish-born comedian and pianist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Only Just Begun

When Borge sat down at keys,

He’d begin his first piece as a tease,

But later or sooner, he

Would bow to buffoonery

With consummate comical ease.

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Something for Everybody

When Borge was telling his jokes,

He hoped that his slapstick would coax

Some grateful guffaws

And a round of applause

From non-musical regular folks.

 

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]

 

December 27 - Anna Russell; Oscar Levant (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 27th are here: Marlene Dietrich (2019), Anna Russell (2020), Anna Russell (2021),  Oscar Levant (2022), and Anna Russell (2023)

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Anna Russell (27 December 1911 – 18 October 2006) was an English–Canadian singer and comedian. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m (Still) Not Making This Up, You Know

Today my daily birthday fuss ‘ll

Be a verse for Anna Russell,

A musical comedienne,

(That’s what they called way back then).

Anna Russell’s famous jokes

Were aimed at concert music folks,

(A culture given to habitual

Blind allegiances to ritual).

 

And yet pretensions thus deflated,

Continue onward unabated,

Which is the reason, truth to tell,

Her old routines have aged so well.

 

 

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Oscar Levant (27 December 1906 – 14 August 1972) was an American concert pianist, composer, conductor, author, radio game show panelist, television talk show host, comedian and actor. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raconteur

John Kieran praised Levant as having a "positive genius for making offhand cutting remarks that couldn't have been sharper if he'd honed them a week in his mind. Oscar was always good for a bright response edged with acid.” – Wikipedia

Oscar Levant, you may recall,

   Was famous for acerbic wit,

He’d launch a barb, and let it fall,

   To see if they would censor it.

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]