Oscar Bound

Day 31: "Ashes On Your Eyes"

Heard this song last week while listening to Pandora Radio (highly recommend this website for customizing music playlists) and keep coming back to it for inclusion in the soundtrack I'm working on. 

Check out "Ashes on Your Eyes", by Deb Talan and let me know what you think....

Day 30: "Giddy On Up"

Ok....this is just plain FUN...found another gem via Perez Hilton's blog.  And I think he's right...Ms. Laura Bell Bundy may be the new Dolly Parton...love it!!!

Have a great weekend!

Day 29: "Galveston"

Still immersed in the soundtrack I'm working on. Since we are hoping to feature several songs by Glen Campbell (yes, you read that right), I've been getting re-acquainted with his music. My mom used to play his albums constantly when I was a kid so I actually know most of the words, LOL.  And my dad loved him too...in fact, at one point, he moved to Galveston for several months....entirely inspired by the song. So, here's Glen in concert performing his hit, Galveston.

My editor and sound guru pointed out to me today that most of Glen's big hits were written by Jimmy Webb  including Galveston, By The Time I Get to Phoenix, Wichita Lineman, and Where's The Playground, Susie. Jimmy and Glen met on the set of a General Motors commercial and obviously hit it off :)

P.S. If anyone out there actually happens to know how to get in touch with Glen, please let me know as I'd love to write a cameo into the film for him. 

P.S.S. And of course we will be obtaining permission/rights to use his music :) 

Day 28: "Sexual Healing" (reggae)

I've been working on a soundtrack for one of our screenplays this week and after choosing this song for the film, realized it was also the perfect song for "re-make" Thursday.  This version of Sexual Healing is by reggae artist Max-A-Million and I think it's every bit as good as Marvin Gaye's original.  

A bit of trivia:  Despite being nominated for a Grammy ten times, this song landed Marvin his first Grammy Awards in 1983 for Best R & B Vocal Performance, Male and Best R & B Instrumental Performance. It also won him his first American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R & B Single--also in 1983.  Finally, the song is now ranked number 231 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 

Since it's such a great song, I've got to post Marvin's version as well...enjoy them both!

Day 27: Happy Birthday, Mozart!

In honor of Mozart's birthday today, here's one of my favorite pieces, Serenade for Strings.

It's AMAZING to me that he composed over 600 works in his short time here on this earth (he died at age 35)...makes me feel like I'd really better get with it, LOL!

Day 26: Comes and Goes (in Waves)

The people of Haiti have been on my mind constantly, and for some reason Greg Laswell's song, Comes and Goes (in Waves), just captured my mood.  I've included the lyrics as some of them seem appropriate to me for the situation there. God Bless...

Comes And Goes (In Waves)

This one's for the lonely
The one's that seek and find
Only to be let down
Time after time

This one's for the torn down
The experts at the fall
Come on friends get up now
You're not alone at all

And this part was for her
And this part was for her
This part was for her
Does she remember?

It comes and goes and waves
I...

This one's for the faithless
The ones that are surprised
They're only where they are now
Regardless of their fight

This one's for believing
If only for it's sake
Come on friends get up now
Love is to be made

And this part was for her
And this part was for her
This part was for her
Does she remember?

It comes and goes in waves
I...
Am only led to wonder why
It comes in goes in waves
I...
Am only led to wonder why
Why I try

This is for the ones who stand
For the ones who try again
For the ones who need a hand
For the ones that think they can

It comes in waves
I...
Am only led to wonder why
It comes and goes in waves
I...
Am only led to wonder why
Why I try

Day 25: "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"

I've decided to kick off the week with a classic.  "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" has been performed by some of the greats....from this short version by Rosemary Clooney and Gene Puerling, to Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.  I even stumbled across this great little dance scene by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from the film, "Shall We Dance" , where the song made it's debut in 1937.

For film & music buffs, the song has been ranked #34 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs and was also used in one of my favorite films, "When Harry Met Sally" (still love it)!

Day 24 "Things Can Only Get Better"

I've got my 2nd request for a song dedication...this comes from a good friend of mine who literally has had SEVEN years of angst & bad luck in her life. I'm hoping that as you listen to this you can send out some positive energy to her that 2010 will mark the beginning of a major turn around in her life.

The song is by a 90's Northern Irish pop/dance band called D:Ream.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Day 23: "Over The Rainbow" Best version ever!

Since starting my little music adventure this year, several people have asked me what my favorite song is.  Hands down it has to be "Over the Rainbow", and more specifically, THIS VERSION by the amazing Hawaiian musician,  Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole. 

I first heard this version during the movie "Meet Joe Black" and it just grabbed me...and never let go! It almost never fails to touch me...especially since I used it underneath a photo montage of my dad's life at his memorial last year (and had everyone crying their eyes out, yet smiling at the same time). That's the power of this song...it's got depth AND staying power. (As proof of that it was voted as number ONE on the Songs of the Century list by the Recording Association of America AND as the greatest movie song of all time by the American Film Institute's list of AFI's 100 years...100 songs.)

Sadly, like Judy Garland, Israel died too soon as well. I hope when you listen to this it will make you think of someone you've lost and smile. OR better yet, just appreciate the good things in our world and the promise of what may be "over the rainbow" for YOU :)

Day 22: Artist of the Week: Amy MacDonald

If you haven't heard Scottish singer/songwriter, Amy MacDonald yet, I'm happy to introduce you...she's a VERY talented 19 yr. old from Glasgow who was discovered singing in various pubs & coffeehouses. 

One of my colleagues was part of the team that filmed/edited her first Electronic Press Kit (or EPK as it's known in the music biz) and he says she's just delightful...which I'm always pleased to hear.

Here are some of my favorite songs from Amy...enjoy!

This Is The Life

Mr. Rock & Roll

A Wish For Something More

Let's Start A Band