My orchestra performed its season finale Saturday evening featuring songs of American Cities. Do any songs of American cities come to mind, right off the top of your head? Frank Sinatra's rendition of Chicago comes to mind for me, but we didn't play that one. Harry Connick Jr. does a smooth version of Down In New Orleans, but we didn't do that one either. Kansas City here I come, right back where I started from...nope, not that one either.
We did selections from West Side Story, though, and St. Louis Blues, a Dixieland thing, New York New York, and the schmaltziest arrangement of I Left My Heart in San Francisco ever written. Robert Russell Bennett was the arranger, and he ought to be ashamed. If we had had a bubble machine, it could not have been worse. The only saving grace for that thing was our guest jazz pianist from Cleveland, Jackie Warren.
Now that I have trashed the second half of the concert, let me praise the first half. The orchestra performed Bernstein's Three Dances from On the Town--you know the one--Frank Sinatra...Gene Kelly...Miss Turnstyle. Then Jackie joined us for Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Jackie also performed a couple of solo pieces in her distinct jazz style, and at the end, the audience stood for us. They don't always do that.
It turned out to be a fun and lively evening despite some of the crappy arrangements and the snare drum beat in my ear. I really do hate being down on the floor instead of up on the risers.
I will finish the concert "review" with the lyrics to Gary, Indiana from our little sing-along. If you've been to Gary, Indiana in the last 30 or so years, you'll know why this is a joke.
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana,
Let me say it once again.
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana,
That's the town that "knew me when."
If you'd like to have a logical explanation
How I happened on this elegant syncopation,
I will say without a moment of hesitation
There is just one place, that can light my face,
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana
Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome, but—
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana,
My home sweet home.
We did selections from West Side Story, though, and St. Louis Blues, a Dixieland thing, New York New York, and the schmaltziest arrangement of I Left My Heart in San Francisco ever written. Robert Russell Bennett was the arranger, and he ought to be ashamed. If we had had a bubble machine, it could not have been worse. The only saving grace for that thing was our guest jazz pianist from Cleveland, Jackie Warren.
Now that I have trashed the second half of the concert, let me praise the first half. The orchestra performed Bernstein's Three Dances from On the Town--you know the one--Frank Sinatra...Gene Kelly...Miss Turnstyle. Then Jackie joined us for Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Jackie also performed a couple of solo pieces in her distinct jazz style, and at the end, the audience stood for us. They don't always do that.It turned out to be a fun and lively evening despite some of the crappy arrangements and the snare drum beat in my ear. I really do hate being down on the floor instead of up on the risers.
I will finish the concert "review" with the lyrics to Gary, Indiana from our little sing-along. If you've been to Gary, Indiana in the last 30 or so years, you'll know why this is a joke.
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana,
Let me say it once again.
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana,
That's the town that "knew me when."
If you'd like to have a logical explanation
How I happened on this elegant syncopation,
I will say without a moment of hesitation
There is just one place, that can light my face,
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana
Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome, but—
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana,
My home sweet home.
Comments
You had a concert and didn't invite me Robyn? I thought we were friends!
Is Gary really your home town?
Gary is not my home town, thank God, but I grew up just 20 minutes from it, and for a year, while I commuted to Chicago, my train rolled through it.
I've never been to Gary but have heard lots of unflattering things about it. Would that be accurate?
Trot trot to Boston
Trot trot to Lynn
Be careful when you get there
You don't fall in!
You could also sing about the Dirty Water.
I went to the symphony a few nights ago and they played the Beatles, Here, There and Everywhere. It was just great.
And Faltando Um Pedaco? My heart aches when I hear that one.
And...Gary, Indiana? I kind of liked thinking of it as this sleepy little town that Opie liked...
Ah, shattered illusions. :)
Development
History
Politics
Government
Economics
Ethnic diversity
Past & Present People/Places/Events
of the "Steel City," Gary, Indiana. Of course U.S. Steel is covered, particularly the "World's Largest Plate Mill," the 210 inch Plate Mill. The site gives a thorough and understandable explanation of how steel is made. It also details the tragic story of the 1981 murder of Gary Police Lt. George Yaros. The web site has many photos and does permits users to contibute/participate in a blog.
The web site is Dave's Den
The web site url is http://GDYNets.WebNG.com
I don't have a bad opinion of everything, though. In fact, I am known for being very positive and seeing the best of everything. Let's look at Gary, for example. It's unemployment rate is 15.5%, much higher than the national average. But I'm sure city leaders are making a great effort to revive the rusted industry there and to create new jobs in burgeoning industries. And as for crime, it used to be the murder capital of the US because of its extremely high crime rate, but in 2003, Gary's murder rate was only 8.75 times higher than the national average, and car thefts were only 2.03 times higher. So, you're right, I am completely ignorant, and I detract anything negative I have ever said about Gary, Indiana.