This month’s honorary co-host is Patrick from Adventures in Weseland. He gets to choice March’s themes but today there isn’t one, so it’s “your choice song picks“.
I’m one of these people who find it hard to throw together random tunes. Not that I haven’t done that because I have many times but I prefer to create a theme for freebie week and that’s what I did. I went with vintage cover songs by not-so-long-ago artists.
Do you recognize the cover, I’ve Got No Strings (Gipsy Kings)? I admit I had to stretch my imagination but then I knew the origin of the first recording and if you can’t connect the dots, then perhaps listening to Dickie Jones’ recording from the 1940 animated Pinocchio Disney classic will.
The Ladybugs are a traditional jazz band covering vintage songs from the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Toning the tempo down a few notches of the Harlan Leonard’s 1940 title I Don’t Want to Set the World On Fire makes the song more enjoyable and easier to the ear. What do you think?
Last September, I spotlighted Pennsylvania 6-5000 but failed to take note of the Muppet’s version of Glenn Miller’s 1940s tune. Which do you prefer the silly Muppets or the vintage big band?
Finally, I’m sharing another Miller big band sound, a live version of Tuxedo Junction by Joe Jackson in Hamburg, Germany. Coincidentally, Jackson recorded it on his 1981 Jumpin’ Jive album. What do you think of the rock rendition compared to Miller’s original?
On behalf o the 4M gang, you’re invited join us on the dance floor!
🎶 This is a mewsic linky party, all other posts are subjected for removal or labeled – NO MUSIC! 🎶
[tweetthis]Hit the #MondaysMusicMovesMe dance floor with me! @xmasdolly [/tweetthis]
I’m stepping back just a bit in Blogosphere while I pull together my A2Z posts for next month but not to worry my mewsic posts for the next two months are scheduled. 4M and BoTB hops are the only ones I am doing until the first to mid-May. I usually struggle to get normal blogging back into gear after the April challenge. Anywho, keep those tunes playing, your body swaying, and I’ll be boogieing over to see you soon. Be sure to join me on Friday for Round 6 BoTB!
X💋X💋, Cathy
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These are quite the collection, Cathy! All new to me – I enjoyed them very much! Thanks for the dance! Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
I don’t know the Gypsy King’s but it got me to thinking about Disney tunes. Wouldn’t it be cool if they redid some of the Mary Poppin’s tunes like Super-Cali-Fragil-Istic or a Spoon Full of Sugar? I used to sing those a lot when I was a kid.
Mary,
Secondhandsongs show quite a few covers of “Super-Cali-Fragil-Istic”. The Puppini Sisters supposedly is one of the more recent artists to cover this Disney classic tune. in 2012. I look on YT for their cover and found it. While there, I stumbled on another artist covering ‘Spoon Full of Sugar’. You got the gears turning in my head now. Can you hear them? 🙂
stopping in to say hello – can’t dance tonight because I have a show I need to go binge on – …Gypsy King – i listened to a little and liked it. There is a really cool band I just heard of through my sister called Tipsy Gypsies – I thought that was a cute name. They play locally up in towns in the central coast of California.
The Muppet Show is timeless, at least to me. Great songs and i love the princess picture!
Very nice songs. Enjoyed them all.
Aw, on the kitty in that tiara.
I’ve never heard that video before. Not my favorite.
Have a fabulous day filled with music. Love and hugs. ♥
These had us dancing in our chair. We love Joe Jackson’s jumping jive and saw them perform the album live at the Savoy in NYC. What a fun night and fun record.
Cathy,
Oh that’s cool you saw Joe Jackson in concert! I think it’s so neat to hear about other people’s experiences such as yours. Thanks for dancing with me!
We only know the Gipsy Kings and really liked this version, CK. Also Glenn Miller is great, we purrefurr the vintage. Loved to dance with you again. Pawkisses for a swingful week ahead🐾😽💞
Glenn Miller had a beautiful sound. I love big band mewsic!
Hello from the Chattanooga area. Glenn Miller definitely put us on the map. I’m from Knoxville originally, but left when I was very young. I liked the original “I’ve Got No Strings” better, but did enjoy The Ladybugs cover.
Cynthia,
Well, howdy neighbor! 🙂 That’s cool you’re from Knoxville. We’re not originally from here but have been since 1979, so it’s our home definitely. Glenn Miller is the champ of big band sounds. The mewsic from that Miller’s era was pAwesome! Thanks for visiting!
I will be laughing for a while longer over the Muppets’ version of Pennsylvania 6-5000. And, the rock version of Tuxedo Junction (sorry, Glenn Miller!) was just more – modern? It was quite enjoyable. Incidentally, after the news in January concerning the possible finding of Glenn Miller’s crash site, I’ve heard nothing more.
Alana,
I’m glad you enjoyed the Muppets. They are always good for some laughs. Oh, that’s too bad there are no updates on Glenn Miller’s crash findings. That would be so cool to know more about. Thanks for the dance!
Nice choices, all new to me. Have a great week! XO
Ellen,
Thanks for boogieing with me. Have a pAwesome week!
My parents were Glenn Miller fans and I used to enjoy listening to big band sounds. “In The Mood” was a favorite around our house. I guess I will always lean toward the original sound over a newer mix. Have a blessed week.
Driller,
I remember Glenn Miller from my childhood but I can’t recall who played it. I figured it had to be my grandparents. I love the sound!
Gipsy Kings did a couple of covers on their first couple of albums: “A Mi Manera,” better known as “My Way,” and a spectacular version of “Volare.” Good set!
Thanks, John! I’m glad you enjoyed my playlist.
The only one I’m familiar with is Tuxedo Junction–what a song!
Glenn Miller sure nailed a unique sound.
Hi, Cathy!
Happy 4M Monday on Sunday, dear friend? Did you enjoy being robbed of an hour of sleep? 🙂 I feel about the same, but nevertheless guzzling black coffee to get awake.
Looks like you and I are running similar posts these week. This is fun. Going way back in mewsic history tests the memory along with the brain’s ability to connect the dots when we hear the remakes. I know I watched Disney’s animated feature Pinocchio at some point in my childhood, but I had forgotten about that song. It was a pleasure to hear the update. The Ladybugs are wonderful! I see on their Facebook page they are from New York City. They describe their mewsic as: “the dreamy, dulcet tones of voices and trombones” performing “favorites from the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s, infused with country, blues, latin, and classical music.” How refreshingly different! Again, I only vaguely remember the big band sound of Harlan Leonard doing his version of “I Don’t Want to Set the World On Fire” in 1940. Notice how the band would typically play at least a minute at the beginning of the song before the singer actually began. I well remember Glenn Miller’s hit “Pennsylvania 6-5000.” Although the television station I worked for carried The Muppets, I didn’t watch the program and never saw their cover. I also know “Tuxedo Junction,” and Joe Jackson did it justice in that Hamburg performance. Jackson’s version has pizzazz and breathes new life into the old Glen Miller tune.
You came up with a delightful theme, Cathy, something entirely different. I enjoyed this. Happy Sunday to you, dear friend, and enjoy the week ahead!
Dang! I’ve got a bunch of Gypsy Kings albums but this is not on any of these. Such a very cool cover of a song that I’ve never liked a whole lot.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out