I think Phibes and Vulnavia gave their victims such beautiful musical send-offs. Which one did you think was the best? I liked Vulnavia's plaintive playing of 'Close Your Eyes' on the violin as Phibes drew off Dr Longstreet's eight pints of blood.
shareOh! I missed this thread. I posted one about "Close Your Eyes", which I noticed because I've been such a fan of Al Bowlly. The lyrics make it especially poignant.
I love this fan-made video, as the song seems so fitting in an odd way, as in this film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipkoAj8wsSA
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
Thank you for that video link. I like that type of mad scientist in his lab scenes from the early days of cinema. It goes well with the song as you say. So there is a Dr Phibes fan out there doing these things on youtube.
I'll look through your Al Bowlly lists. I've got 3cds of his performances with Ray Noble. I believe there is lots of Ray Noble tunes that he sings on. Great soothing voice.
That's such an unusual match: Al Bowlly and the creation scene in "Metropolis", yet it works beautifully!
I "discovered" Al Bowlly early this year and have been accumulating his music since. Thank goodness he recorded so many songs! The first time I heard his voice, I was captivated. Oddly enough, it was "Close Your Eyes". I was up late because my heart was acting up. When I found that song, listening through ear buds, I was so soothed by it and immediately started seeking out more of his music. At my age, I can't imagine why I never encountered him before! Even my mother, who is in her 80s, said that she was unfamiliar with him. He was fashioning the art of crooning very early and most effectively. How I wish he had made movies as it's difficult to find "live" film of him.
I'm enthralled by the man, so it was startling to hear "his" song played by Vulnavia. *sigh*
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
Re Al Bowlly. I haven't got "Close Your Eyes." I must have it after that 'Metropolis' scene you've put me onto. I play Al Bowlly at bedtime as his voice soothes me into sleep. I rotate him with Peggy Lee and Burl Ives. All three have got lullaby voices. I don't know if I have actually seen live footage of him. As you say he didn't appear in movies.
shareThere are a few videos of him, and he's wonderfully charming and touching. I wish he had been able to be in some movies!
Yes, his voice helps soothe me, and I often listen to a number of songs before I feel less afraid to fall asleep. Peggy Lee IS a good choice, and it's a delight to see you list Burl Ives. He's a local hero, having been born in a tiny town in the next county. My maternal grandfather and Burl Ives were early influences on me, starting me on "songcatching" throughout the Fifties, Sixties and beyond. I play the bowed psaltery, and most of my repertoire is folk/traditional music. However, I do learn songs that appeal to me,and I'm certain that "Close Your Eyes" would be perfect for the psaltery. After all, it was lovely and haunting on the violin (or does she play an electrified one?).
Here are a couple of performances by Al, who seemed to be quite the charmer. He definitely was a ladies' man, and friends said that he often was "truly in love":
"The Very Thought of You"
"Melancholy Baby"
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRF5D68e44Q"]http://www.y outube.com/watch?v=cr4ncMR5EVQ[/ur]
"Melancholy Baby"
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRF5D68e44Q
Enjoy!
EDIT: That's his favorite accompanist and friend Monia Liter on the piano. He's a remarkable musicianship, at least in my opinion, with a great style that works beautifully with Al's crooning.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
Thanks for the youtube link. I keep getting connection problems on that one so far. But I will keep on trying. I' pretty sure that it will be the first time I will have seen Al Bowlly live.
I feel sympathy for you. I take it is your heart condition that gives you a fear of sleep. I have heard of this distressing condition before. I'm very sorry if this the case. I hope this topic does not distress you too much. I also hope that your music is a big help to you.
We seemed to have such compatible musical tastes. I like Burl Ives folk songs and his pop-orientated later renditions. Your posts are a pleasure for me.
That's too bad about the connections. I wonder if I found other versions on YouTube. I might give it a try later on to see if they'll work better.
Yes, the heart is scary. I have congestive heart failure; problems with it skipping beats, "hammering" or racing; and the effects of fibromyalgia. What's especially frightening is that my younger sister died in her sleep from heart problems. I always was an insomniac, but that really makes me dread lying down in the dark. So, soothing music, such as Al, can make it less-dreadful. I'd love to be able to wear headphones and fall asleep to lullaby voices, as you said.
Before my "limited mobility", I used to go to Renaissance faires and historical reenactment events. They're wonderful places to find music. I have a number of cassettes and CDs of groups who perform at these places, a fantastic source of songs not usually encountered. Father, Son & Friends is just one of the many amazing musicians/singers. I bought my psaltery at Bristol Renaissance Faire, and it allows me to share music with others as I play melodies they might not hear otherwise. I wish I was brave enough to sing. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to play since my sister's death, when I became extremely ill, more than usual. I'm getting stronger and hope to play again. Maybe by then, I'll have more songs committed to memory.
It IS nice to encounter someone with shared interests and appreciation of music and performers.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
Re youtube connection. It is still blocking me on the link that you gave me. Using those details I will try it independently. That usually works.
How anxious you must feel about going to sleep. I'm sorry to hear about your younger sister. It is a problem that I haven't heard highlighted on the media. But through a friend I have found out about someone else with the same problem. That person receives special treatment from their doctor. Soothing music I am sure must help.
Renaissance fairs and reenactments are not quite so big where I live in Norfolk. So I don't really get to hear what is going on in the folk music scene. But I hope you become stronger and will be able to participate again.
I watched 'The Abominable Dr Phibes' again last night. Vincent Price always look as though he is having fun on that organ and conducting the Wizards band. He always make me smile. What an unusual white/creamy coloured violin Vulnavia plays in her rendition of 'Close Your Eyes. Take care.
Every time I watch him playing that organ, I'm envious of Dr. Phibes!
I used to play double keyboard organ with all of those pedals though never one as grand as the one in the movie. We had a Hammond, but one time I had the opportunity to play a much-larger Wurlitzer at the music store where I took lessons. I had been challenged to a duet by someone I considered far better than I was; she insisted that I was every bit as good but didn't have the confidence. I think we blasted the roof off with that duet that was almost a duel at times.
You can imagine my sorrow when, after studying/playing for most of my life, I had to stop playing. After I worked in a factory for nearly two years in order to make money to finish college, my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome became so severe that I had to not only stop playing but also sell the organ. I couldn't bear for it to sit there; it needed to be played.
That's why I was happy to find the bowed psaltery, as I missed making music. As a perk, it's easily transported and is a veteran of 13 years of events.
You're right about Vincent Price looking as if he's having a grand time. He was so remarkable in that he knew just how far to go for "camp" yet keeping Phibes sympathetic and not a laughable villain. Then, we see how frighteningly vile he could be in such films as "Witchfinder General" aka "The Conqueror Worm" and "The Masque of the Red Death". TCM's Octoberful of Vincent Price was perfect for showing his whole range. Isn't it sad that we don't have anyone remotely like him though we at least still have Christopher Lee, who also is adept at a phenomenal range of roles.
Psssst! I admit that I have such a weakness for Johnny Depp, who has done some remarkable work and could give us so much more in the decades to come. ***Knock on wood!!!***
You mention the violin Vulnavia plays, and I am so curious about it. It looks like some I've seen played by modern violinists, but I thought those were relatively recent creations. I wonder if they have been around longer than I expected or if someone fulfilled this image.
How I wish that you could see those videos of Al Bowlly. They make me dream of finding more. I'm simply enchanted by him. He seemed to have such a sense of humor and playfulness, and he obviously put so much emotion into his music. In fact, those who worked with him said that, when he performed "heartfelt" songs, he often had tears in his eyes as he walked away from the microphone.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
You will be pleased to know that I have got onto Al Bowlly singing 'Melancholy Baby' via Yahoo video. He is a great emotional performer. I'm used to hearing him sing inbetween long instrumental intros/outros 1930s dance-band style. But there is more of Al Bowlly's singing on the youtube video. At last I have seen the singer who lulls me to sleep at night. Thank you for putting me onto that.
You are a multi-instrumentalist. I laughed at your description of your duel/duet with your fellow organist. Would you have liked to have duetted with Vincent and his grand sweeping gestures at the Dr Phibes organ?
I do prefer Vincent Price's camp performances as in the Dr Phibes films. He is particularly vile in 'Witchfinder General' as you say. He gives a great performance as usual but I shudder at some of the lines he delivers in that one.
The amazing Christopher Lee is still making films. I read in his film biography book that he and Vincent got on so well. Johnny Depp is the best fantasy/horrormeister of the new school. I like his scenes with Vincent in 'Edward Scissorhands.' A very poignant death scene for Vincent in that one.
Re Vulnavia's playing 'Close Your Eyes.' It would be interesting to try and delve into whether that type of violin had been manufactured by 1929 (the date in which the film was set). Also I keep meaning to check the publication dates of the tunes used in the film. Just to see if any do post date 1929.
While trying to find out who actually played " War March of the Priests " I found this delightful thread.It will keep me busy. I'll pass along information about a recording you may enjoy. http://www.dealoz.com/New-Used-Music/Dueling-Organs/0015095031525
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