Jack Jones 1938 - 2024

And speaking of whom, here he is in a truly lovely performance (on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1971) of Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind."

I must confess that I had been totally unaware of that clip before last Saturday, and seriously -- call me a sentimental old fluff if you will, but if you don't find that as surprisingly touching as I do, you really need to check your meds.

Our Gen Z readers (heh) may be unaware that Jack was the son of a very popular 30's crooner/sex symbol named Allan Jones, who is remembered today mostly for his romantic lead performances in the Marx Brothers' classics A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races. As for the younger Jones, he was pretty much my favorite Beatles-era pop singer who wasn't a rock-and-roller. He was a fixture on tv variety shows for ages, and back in the day he actually (deservedly) had at least one good hit record -- a version of the Burt Bachrach classic "Wives and Lovers," which garnered him a Grammy in 1964.

Later, of course, he sang the theme from The Love Boat, but don't worry -- I won't inflict THAT on you.

In any event, I always thought he was a very cool guy and a terrific singer, and I'm gonna use his passing as an excuse to recount one of my all time favorite show-biz stories.

So anyway, Jack was on the Sullivan show one Sunday, and during the early afternoon rehearsal (sans audience), after Jack sang his number, Ed called him over (as was his wont with performers when they were done) and ad libbed "So -- is Allan Jones still your father?"

A big laugh from the tech crew ensued (Ed was, shall we say, not known for his sense of humor) and the show's producer said "Ed -- that's hilarious. Make sure you do that when we're on air."

Jack and Ed concurred.

Cut to the actual live broadcast, in front of a genuine theater crowd, later that night.

Jack finishes his number, and Ed calls him over and the following exchange transpires.

Ed: "Hey Jack, c'mon over. That was great."

Jack: "Thank you, Ed."

Ed: [taking a beat] "So -- is your father still alive?"

I am not making that up. Man, what I wouldn't give to find a version of that on YouTube. 😎

And may I say again -- this death shit is really starting to piss me off.

La Fin de la Semaine Essay Question: Special "Don't Deface My Vinyl, Dude!" Edition

From 1965, and their totally brilliant third American LP Animal Tracks, please enjoy the aforementioned The Animals and their hilarious and totally rocking proto-rap "The Story of Bo Diddley."

Which leads us to business. To wit:

...and your favorite obscure British Invasion album track by a solo artist or group that either had hits in America or didn't is...???

I should add that the above Animals selection, which I have always found aboslutely delightful -- particularly when lead singer Eric Burdon talks about Diddley's "GORGEOUS sister" The Duchess -- was once a topic of some disagreement from my old friend Eric C. Boardman.

[That's him in the pith helmet, stage right.]

Eric once borrowed said Animals record from me when we were living across the hall from each other at a dorm in Lake Forest College in the fall of 1965.

And he returned it to me with the ball-point-pen-written phrase "completely sucks" appended after the title of said song on the back of the album sleeve.

And yes -- we're still talking to each other after all those years, BTW.

Okay -- in any event...what would YOUR choices be?

And have a great weekend, everybody!!!

Closed for Post-Vacation Monkey Business

Spending a day in bed. Normal stuff resumes tomorrow.

Dispatches From Our Italian Vacation: Special “The Remnants of Dignity” Edition

Me, in Florence the other day, making an ass of myself in front of Botticelli's Venus on the Half Shell, or whatever it's called.

Back home tomorrow -- regular music postings resume after I recover from the de rigeur jet lag.

Dispatches from Our Italian Vacation: Special “Copernican Heliocentrism Rocks!” Edition

Still vacationing in Italy, and having an absolutely favoloso time.

So how come I'm posting, of all things, Queen's shall we say overfamiliar "Bohemian Rhapsody"...

...as if it's somehow relevant?

Because it actually is.

See, we were in Florence the other day, at the church of Santa Maria Novella, and we viewed this imposing pulpit...

...which is the actual one that guy-in-the-song Galileo was denounced from for having the temerity to declare, correctly, that the earth revolved around the sun.

How cool is that?

BTW, if you're ever in Florence, make sure you check out the aforementioned church, which dates from the 15th century, as it's like the weirdest damn thing you'll ever see.

Seriously -- it's like this spooky multimedia Jesus Land theme park or something. I'm not kidding about this.

How Do You Say “Vinyl Rules, Man” in Italian?

So as we were wandering around Florence (after seeing Botticelli's Birth of Venus at the Uffizi) Saturday, and what to our wondering eyes should suddenly appear but an actual, fabulous record store, run by obviously kindred spirits.

I'll have more to say about the place -- which is called Contempo Records and has been doing this kinda bizness since 1977(!) -- on a later occasion, but let's just say that they treated two idiot Americans like royalty, and I can't tell you what a kick it was to hear the Floor Models blasting over a Florentine sound system.

Oh, and BTW, it's my birthday today, so if you wanna say something nice, I wouldn't mind.

Le Fine Settimana Essay Question: Special "Oh Right — Like Music is the Universal Language" Edition

Greetings from sunny Florence, Italy, where as you know a certain Shady Dame and I are enjoying a much needed vacation.

And so without further ado -- hey, we've got sights to see -- this leads us to the weekend's business.

To wit:

...and your favorite post-Elvis rock/pop/soul/folk song either referencing a country other than the USA or with lyrics wholly or partly in a language other than English is...???

And in case you're wondering, my nominee -- for obvious reasons -- is this glorious ditty by Oates. (Okay, technically Hall &, but apparently they're not speaking anymore).

Whatever John and Darryl's problems, power pop doesnt come any more insinuating, in my humble opinion. Or should I say "a mio modesto parere"?

In any case -- what would YOUR choices be?

And have a great weekend, everybody!!! Dispatches from the land that brought us Verdi and Frankie Valli resume on Monday, or as unexpected events dictate!

Charade, Anyone?

Me, contemplating the lift outside my hotel room in Rome this morning.

Seriously -- the only things missing are Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. 

Chiuso per Monkey Business

Tried to find a translation for "vootie," but apparently there's no valid Italian equivalent.

Seriously, adjusting to our arrival in Rome.

Regular posting, albeit from overseas, resumes on the morrow.

See Florence and Die!

No, today's title does not refer to the charming actress who played the mom on TVs The Brady Bunch.

Instead, it's my way of letting you guys know that a certain Shady Dame of my acquaintance and I will be vacationing in Italy -- starting today, and for the next eight days.

Excuse: Much needed vacation.

We'll be digging the scene in Roma, Firenze and Bologna till then, but have no fear -- I've written some music related stuff for later in the week, and I'll be checking in with highlights of our escapades on a regular daily basis until il nostro ritorno.

And in case you were wondering -- yes, we're searching out possible places to repatriate to if the worst happens in the States on November 5.

Anyway -- as I'm fond of saying, it could be a hot one, and wish us well!!!

And ci vediamo presto everybody!!!