"Anything too stupid to be said is sung" -Voltaire

Hum dee dum, while I'm at it, I think I'll make a rambling list of my favorite musicals... for yes, I do, indeed, love musicals.


An orderly list of Annwithane's favorite musicals in order of preference with the inclusion of a favorite song or number from each show:

1. South Pacific~ The Rogers and Hammerstein masterpiece. A social commentary with beautiful melodies, delightful lyrics, magical orchestrations and fantastic accents. My favorite, hands down.
Favorite song: A Cockeyed Optimist (I like to think of this as my theme song)

3. The Music Man~ Lida Rose, Gary Indiana, My White Knight, 76 trombones and a whole lot more. Trust me.
Favorite song: Lida Rose

4. Ragtime~ Intertwining stories, dramatic themes, historical truths, and lots and lots of gorgeous music.
Favorite song: Our Children / Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc.

4. The Last 5 Years~ Two amazing singers and fourteen amazing songs. Thank you, Jason Robert Brown for this amazing piece of art.
Favorite song: Nobody Needs to Know

5. Into the Woods~ Cinderella was never the same after ever after...
Favorite song: No One Is Alone

6. Parade~ Though I have yet to see it on stage, I have fallen in love with the music. Another stirring, historically based show.
Favorite song: Finale

7. 42nd Street~ Any show you go to for the tap dancing is good enough for me, in fact, it's close to perfect.
Favorite song: A Quarter to Nine (usually sung by the ladies)

8. Rent~ Yes, I sound like a typical musical geek, but honestly, once you see the stage show, the movie will never suffice again.
Favorite song: Finale B

Ah, there are many more, but I simply can't list them all... By the way, I know a true friend when he/she can identify this list of mine. In order.
I'd love to hear what your favorites are... come on, I know you like musicals too :)

"Our Love is Easy"

In our growing world of digital media, the art of the album cover and booklet accompanying the music is slowly disappearing. This is not to say that music has any less value or quality today than before, but I fear the 2D world of visual art is losing a fantastic outlet. I have always enjoyed leafing through CD inserts, especially when lyrics and pictures are artfully interspersed throughout. My favorites have beautiful insights from the artists, some with explanations of their inspiration while others have heartfelt messages of thanks to producers, team members, family, listeners and God.

The most gorgeous message I have ever found in a CD booklet is from Melody Gardot's "My One and Only Thrill":

"[Love] to all who so gracefully and willingly crossed my path while making this record; you've helped me pin down a cloud. To the wordsmiths who filled my eager eyes with images to inspire and contemplate, to the rambling gypsies and vagabonds who sing joyous choruses on street corners and subways; you taught me the beauty of purpose, to the bent old alleyways of Paris and the crumbling cobblestones that lie forever nursing the banks of the Seine while holding a place for any lover's heart, to the strangers and the neighbors who showered a butterfly with warm sentiments from across foreign ponds, to the hours of darkness and the shades of gray that envelop the streets of Philadelphia and keep a cold death grip on the memory of better times, and to those who can't imagine who they are to me for words would never truly hold enough meaning, thank you. Above all, my hands go to the sky for the greatest thanks imaginable."

What dazzling poetry! Gratitude is often the most difficult emotion to express but Melody does it with such grace and vivacity.

Melody Gardot is, indeed, my favorite contemporary jazz vocalist. While many people find jazz dull, I love the raw emotion that drives each and every number. I hope you enjoy her song and her delightful words of thanks.

For more information about Melody Gardot, check out her music from the library or visit her website: http://www.melodygardot.com