Song Discovery: "Why Try to Change Me Now?"

The other day I was browsing through one of my fake books (a book of lead sheets, usually jazz songs) to find new songs to incorporate into my repertoire.

At the very end of the book, I found a song with lyrics that immediately intrigued me.  Titled "Why Try to Change Me Now," I thought, "Wow, I hope this song has equally profound chords."  There's nothing more disappointing than reading amazing lyrics and then hearing lackluster chords or melodies that doom the song to musical oblivion and vice versa.

I sat at the piano and with my limited piano skills, playing basic jazz chords with the melody.  Success!  The chords and melody were as awesome as the lyrics.

I'd never heard the song before, so I went on iTunes to see if it was as obscure as I thought it was.  Nope!  The song has been covered by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Wilson.  Sweet!

So here's to discovery of a song written over sixty years ago--that amazingly is as relevant today as it was then.  But isn't that the hallmark of truly great music?

Caveat: I don't endorse smoking, so I'm going to tweak the lyrics a bit for the cigarette lyric line.

Here's "Why Try to Change Me Now" sung by Frank Sinatra.

Casablanca: As Time Goes By

Casablanca is classic.  There's no other way of putting it.  Ingrid Bergman is beautiful and poised while Humphrey Bogart plays the tortured scorned lover so well.  Plus, the hats in Ingrid Bergman's wardrobe are amazing.  If only women still wore hats on a day-to-day basis.

So is "As Time Goes By" the main song of Casablanca.  Yet there are very few versions of the song in comparison to other main songs of classic movies.  Which is really a shame because "As Time Goes By" is a beautiful song.

So my recommendation is this: see the movie and check out the song!  You'll be so glad you did.

Here's Frank Sinatra singing "As Time Goes By."

Curly Fries: King of all Fries

Curly fries are definitely the king of all french fries. Who doesn't love curly fries?

I mean, there are waffle fries, shoestring fries, steak fries, but none of them compare to curly fries. And I don't even know what makes them so amazing.

It's probably kind of like what makes Elvis so amazing. I can't put my finger on what makes it great, but I still love to listen to his music! He definitely was the King.

One of my favorite songs of his is "Heartbreak Hotel."  Let's hear it as the King intended.

Sway: Dean Martin at His Finest

Today I spent most of the day getting jazz charts together for a practice.  I even added a few charts, one of which is "Sway."  Let me just say that I'm very excited to sing this song!  I've been singing it throughout the day.  It's infectious!

Dean Martin's version of "Sway" has to be my favorite.  I love the lilt in his voice!

The Family Brownie Recipe and All That Jazz

Fresh, homemade brownies are divine!

What's better than a pan of rich homemade brownies on a snowy day?  Hmm...I can't think of anything.  And below is the recipe for the yummy brownies pictured above!

This recipe has been part of my family's cookbook for almost 40 years.  My mom's friend from Wisconsin made them for a party and my mom could not believe how incredibly delicious they were so she asked for the recipe.   

We've since adapted it a little bit.  Here are some of the variations we try throughout the year even when it isn't snowing: (1) No semi-sweet chocolate chips on top, (2) Peppermint chocolate chips with semi-sweet chocolate chips on top, and (3) Tiny marshmallows with semi-sweet chocolate chips on top.   

I enjoy these brownies when they are hot, but I actually think the chocolate flavor is more robust after they've been frozen and allowed to thaw just a bit (so you don't break a tooth biting into them.)  As an aside, my family freezes everything--literally--and I grew up knowing the virtues of spreading baked goods over days and weeks.  I also loved the refreshing "coolness" of the slightly thawed baked goods!  Some other great frozen then slightly thawed baked goods I ate growing up are molasses bar cookies, rolled gingerbread cookies, and drop sugar cookies.

We need a song to go with the recipe below so what is a good brownie song?  And I don't mean the camp songs for girl scouts.  For me the brownie song would be "All the Things You Are" sung by Ella Fitzgerald since how can you not love "all the things" about homemade brownies, and Ella's singing?

So enjoy the family recipe...and the jazz!

Brownies

• 10 T. Land O' Lakes butter                             
• 1/4 c. milk                  
• 1/4 t. salt                                 
• 1 c. Hershey's semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 c. sugar                               
• 2 t. vanilla                   
• 1 t. baking powder
• 2 large eggs                          
• 1 1/3 c. flour
• 1/2 c. Hershey's baking cocoa

1. Soften butter.  Add sugar and eggs.  Cream until smooth.  Mix in milk and vanilla.
2. Spoon flour into measuring cups then level off.  Put in large bowl and whisk the salt, baking powder, and cocoa into the flour.
3. Add flour mixture to butter mixture.  Mix until smooth.
4. Spray a metal 9"x13" pan with Pam.  Spread batter into pan.  It will be a thin layer.  Sprinkle chocolate chips over the batter.                   
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-32 minutes on the middle oven rack.  Edges of brownies should pull away from sides of pan and be a little crispy.  Center of brownies will be soft and gooey.  Cut after cooling for a few minutes.  Let set in pan before serving.

Focaccia Bread and That's Amore

I love focaccia bread!  And now, thanks to my sister, Amy, I can make my own!  She taught me how to make it last summer!

It's way better than the focaccia bread from the store.  It does take time to make, but is so worth it!

Today, one of the two loaves I made has chopped garlic as well as Parmesan cheese and rosemary on top.  I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was--I even liked it better than the rosemary and parmesan loaf.

So I was thinking about the song "That's Amore" as I was making the focaccia.  And I can only think of Dean Martin singing "That's Amore," so here it is!

Rustic Biscuits and "Chega de Saudade"

I like my biscuits rustic.  I stopped rolling out biscuits and cutting them years ago.  It originated in the fact that I hated to waste the scraps and the bonus was my biscuits turned out flakier when they were just patted and cut!

So my rustic, homemade biscuits reminded me of the song "Chega de Saudade" or "No More Blues."  The sentiment of the song is to go back home and experience all the wonderful things that are home.  To me biscuits equal home.

So here's one of my favorite Latin jazz songs "Chega de Saudade" sung by Carmen McRae

When the shower handle breaks...and September in the Rain

Erik walking in the rain...

So for the past few days, the shower handle has been really loose in my apartment.  My brother and I both noticed it, but today the handle wouldn't turn the water off.  Erik got the water to stop and we called the landlords.

Fortunately, we have great landlords who trust us to fix things right and as inexpensively as possible.  So Erik headed to Home Depot, but got a part that should have fit but didn't.  So he went again and found out the part that really fit wasn't in stock.  We frantically ordered the part online and are hoping it gets here soon.

Singing in the shower is a favorite American pastime.  I tried to think of a good "singing-in-the-shower" song and came up with...nothing.

So today's song has nothing to do with the subject of this blog, except that both involve falling water.  Here's "September in the Rain" sung by Frank Sinatra.

It Had to Be You

Today I've just got a song.  So I'll keep this pretty short.

I found a version of "It Had to Be You" sung by Frank Sinatra that was done as a ballad.  I have only heard "It Had to Be You" as an up tempo swing.  I kind of like it as a ballad!  So let's be glad!

Here it is!

Rediscovery: You Don't Know What Love Is

Today I rediscovered one of my favorite jazz songs: "You Don't Know What Love Is."

I simply love the chord progression and the way it enhances the meaning of the lyrics.  Such sad lyrics really need a bluesy singer to bring the song to its full emotion.

Billie Holiday, given the experiences in her tortured life, is eminently qualified to sing the incredible song, "You Don't Know What Love Is."

Presidents' Day: I Can't Tell a Lie

Hooray for Presidents' Day!  I love looking out the window at the American flag posted by the Boy Scouts in our front yard.

I love America and am so grateful for our founding fathers.  I do love to remember both President George Washington and President Abraham Lincoln and love that we honor their lives by celebrating their birthdays.

Whenever I think of George Washington's birthday in regards to music, I think of the movie Holiday Inn and the song "I Can't Tell a Lie" sung by Fred Astaire.  In fact, Erik broke out in song this morning and I joined in singing this very song!

The Joy of Singing

Last night was definitely a night to remember!  Big Band Night was a success--again!  Pictures soon to follow...

I loved being able to participate in honoring those who currently serve and have served in our military forces with some great music!  I sang two of my absolute favorite jazz songs, "Alright, Okay, You Win" and "Cry Me a River."  I thoroughly enjoyed interacting informally with the audience on the dance floor in between everyone--including me--dancing to live music!

With tomorrow being President's Day and Big Band Night being yesterday, I think it's totally appropriate to have "Battle Hymn of the Republic" from my album As American As Jazz as today's song!

Performing and All That Jazz

Photo by Brett Bird

I love to perform.  You could say I live to perform.  I can't imagine my life without performing.

And besides the performing itself, I love to dress up.  By the time I was five, I had dressing up down to an art.  I changed outfits multiple times a day just for fun--leaving discarded outfits strewn on the floor of my room.  They eventually ended up filling laundry baskets.

Given the amount of laundry I produced, my mom could not keep up.  So she showed me how much work she had to do to provide clean clothes for me each day.  She suggested a ground rule for my daily dressing up.  I could lay out on my bed three outfits I could choose from during the day to change into, depending on my whims.  I could mix pants with dresses, frills with bathing suits, and wear in public whatever I chose to wear without her correcting me.

She was pretty smart to show the consequences that resulted in work for her, then suggest an alternative approach all the while limiting the number of outfits yet allowing me total latitude to wear whatever I wanted to wear regardless where I would be seen wearing totally incongruent combinations.  My strong sense of self-identity revealed itself from a very young age!

One of my favorite outfits was a pastel yellow, blue, and pink ruffled shirt paired with a brown corduroy skirt.  Another outfit was a pink one-piece bathing suit with a toucan bird on the front with a parasol and pink winter boots.  Sometimes I wore a skirt or shorts over the bathing suit.  Ah, to be a child again!  My fashion sense has, fortunately, improved.

Now I love black velvet and feathers.  I just love stylish ensembles!  I love hats and very high heels.  I love jewelry and make-up.  And every time I perform it feels like it is dress-up time when I was a little girl asserting my identity and individuality.  Except now I look more presentable!

Maybe that's another reason I love jazz so much.  As a "girl singer" I'm allowed, even expected, to be more dressy as a performer.

But at the heart of performing is the music.  And what amazing music it is!

Here's one of my favorite songs--and it will be on my jazz standards CD this summer--"Can't We Be Friends" sung by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

Essential Ingredients: Muffins and Jazz

Successful Blueberry Muffins

Not-So-Successful Banana Muffins

I make muffins from scratch!  Above are two kinds of muffins, blueberry and banana.  The blueberry turned out great.  The banana, well, let's just say they ended up in the garbage.

The problem?  Interruptions during the prep process.  First, the banana muffin mixture was put into the papers without eggs in it, so the batter was scooped back into the bowl.  Eggs were mixed in and batter was put back into the papers.  Then we realized we forgot to put in the baking powder.  This time we just left them in the oven and hoped for the best.

Unfortunately, they were the worst.  But undeterred we made blueberry muffins and they turned out great!

So what happens when the ingredients aren't right?  You get yucky muffins...or bad jazz.  If the elements don't come together just right, jazz just isn't...jazz.

So here's some really awesome jazz: "In A Mellow Tone" sung by, of course, Ella Fitzgerald.

Love and Musical Sugar Cookies

I'm not an experienced icing decorator.  But I tried to decorate today and found out that the only designs that looked liked what they were ended up being musical symbols!

They were tasty sugar cookies!  My sister always makes sugar cookies for Valentine's Day.  I guess it's a tradition!

Valentine's Day has become a day of sharing in our family.  My siblings and I are all single so we all share extra special kindnesses with those with whom we associate during the day at work, school, rehearsals, and at home.  This is a "loving" holiday so we show our love for those around us!

Of course, today's song will have to be "My Funny Valentine!"  It's all right to be a bit cliche.  Love is cliche and so important to all of us.  And Ella definitely puts soul into this beloved jazz standard.

Baked Goods and Waves...

I love baked goods--though you've probably guessed that!

What you may not know is that I love peanuts and I love raspberries!  So one of my all-time favorite treats is the raspberry peanut roll, pictured above.  I don't know how anyone conceived to make a roll with raspberry jelly in layers of dough, enrobed in a confectioner's sugar glaze and covered in peanuts!  It's absolutely delicious.  It always hits the spot!

So as much as I may try, I just can't fight my love of baked goods.  Okay, I don't really try that hard, but I do eat them in moderation!

"Wave" seems to be the appropriate song for today, speaking of trying to "fight" against a love!

Oh, If Only Big Band Music Was Still "Popular"

I love to sing jazz.  Hence my majoring in Jazz Studies and recording jazz songs.  My full jazz standards album will be released this summer.

I've loved jazz for as long as I can remember.  My older sister, Amy, is a saxophonist and I heard her playing jazz.  My first real accompanist was Dave Christensen, an incredible jazz pianist who revered Thelonious Monk.  Dave plays like Monk, and I thought, as a ten-year-old, that all pianists played that way.  Not so, but thanks to Dave, Monk is my favorite pianist!

And yes, I know Monk was not a big band pianist.  He had a big band in his hands.  But, I do love big band music and I absolutely love to sing with big bands.  There's just something incredible about all those "voices" coming together, almost like listening to an orchestra.  Except, I'd much rather listen to a big band than an orchestra, though I'm not against orchestral music.  I am also a harpist and know very well how satisfying orchestral music can be.  But when it comes to the "fun factor," big bands win hands down.

Today, I performed to advertise for a yearly event at BYU called Big Band Night.

Each year, an armed forces veteran is chosen to be honored for the evening.  Singers perform a skit circa 1940s and the ballroom is turned into a stage door canteen from 1945.  A live big band, Synthesis, performs instrumental dance music which is interspersed with number that include singers.  I'm one of the singers!

This year I'm singing "Alright, Okay, You Win" and "Cry Me a River."  Admittedly, those are two of my absolute favorite songs to sing with a big band!

What "Sing, Sing, Sing" is to the instrumental big band genre, "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" is to the vocal big band genre.  I know I've highlighted this song before, but this one is a live performance of Ella Fitzgerald!

Bread Pudding and Foggy Days

So I was watching a British sitcom from the 90s the other day and part of the episode focused on this amazing bread pudding with orange marmalade made by two elderly sisters.

I love bread and orange marmalade, so I thought I'd try it, though I've always been suspicious of bread pudding itself.

It wasn't that it was bad.  It just wasn't really that great.  The top layer tasted like candied bread and the bottom layer was...soggy.  I'm sure there is a great recipe for bread pudding out there somewhere.  I just haven't found it!

So thinking of Britain, I just had to make today's song "A Foggy Day (In London Town)!"

Dreams, Wishes, and Cinderella

Birthday wishes are special, right?

Birthdays are days for wishes, right?  And birthday wishes are special, aren't they?

As a rational human being, I try not to wish.  Dictionary.com defines wish as "to want; desire; long for...."  I've functioned more on work and sweat, and the belief that to get where I want to go, I have to work long and hard, not just long for something to happen.

Where does Cinderella come in all of this?  When I was three, we had a VCR (state-of-the-art technology then) and a videotape of Disney's Cinderella.  I watched it over and over again, day after day.  My older brother remembers being sick one day and he ended up watching it with me three times in a row.  I think he wished (he he) that he was in school instead.

Usually, I'm somewhat controlled in my responses to music.  I have my favorite songs, but in general, strong emotion tied to lyrics or musical phrases does not move me to a changed emotional state--and even more rare is when I'm moved to tears.

Yet, the simplest of melodies and phrases often surprise me.  Ironically, the songs with which I experience the most emotion are from the Disney movies I watched in my childhood.

I have four contenders for the most emotionally moving songs from my childhood:

• "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" (Cinderella)
• "Part of Your World" (The Little Mermaid)
• "Belle (Reprise)" (Beauty and the Beast)
• "Reflection" (Mulan)

I think the one I feel most keenly about is "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid.  But today's post is on wishing, so I'll highlight "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes."  All of them still move me to tears--not for brilliance of performance or particular musical genius, but for the simple fact that the feelings are hopeful and accessible to me.

By way of a disclaimer, I do not have a princess complex.  I don't believe in being rescued.  I don't believe in "happily-ever-afters" either.  I believe in being responsible for my choices.  I believe in making choices that foster happiness and joyful progress.  In many ways, Disney renditions may include magic and rescue, but they are hopeful and highlight personal responsibility.  These are the memories I value from the Disney animations I watched in my childhood.

So I do not believe wishing will make anything happen, but I believe that having real hopes and aspirations that drive us to work hard can bring about what we truly want.  So here's "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from Disney's Cinderella.

German Chocolate Cake: You Make Me Feel So Young

So the above cake is my birthday cake: delicious German Chocolate Cake with a ganache layer and a coconut layer cake!  So sweet!!!

As this is a birthday post, I think "You Make Me Feel So Young" sung by Frank Sinatra is a perfect song for today!

Yeah for birthdays!

They Can't Take That Extraordinary Birthday Hat Away from Me!

We have some special birthday hats in our family: umbrella hats!

It's an awesome tradition and umbrella hats are far superior to regular cardboard birthday hats.  Although I do remember as a young girl having a crown birthday hat...

It just wouldn't be a Chaston birthday without the umbrella hat!  So, "They Can't Take That Away from Me," seems a perfect choice for today's jazz tune!  I know I've already highlighted it, but it's such a versatile and beloved standard that I think it deserves another listen!

Birthday Pizza: You're the Top!

In our family we love pizza, but not just any pizza.  We love Happy Joe's Taco Pizza!

Every special occasion involves Taco Pizza, including birthdays!  If ever you are in the Midwest, you must try Happy Joe's Taco Pizza...it's literally the best pizza ever!

So since I am talking about the top pizza of all time, here's "You're the Top" sung by Ethel Merman!

Giant Cookies: Not Just for 'Round Midnight

I LOVE these for my birthday "cake."
This is obviously not this year, since my hair is short.
I love my long hair, but sometimes I still miss the perky, short style!

The first time I ever had a Great American Cookie was at a moving "goodbye" party for two of my friends when I was ten.  I think the cookie was the length of the table, or at least to a ten-year-old it seemed that big.  I must have drowned my sorrows in eating cookie because I don't remember much else besides saying goodbye and crying.

Yet, the love of the Great American Cookie has lived on!

Unfortunately, I don't currently live near a Great American Cookiem much to my dismay.  I causes some sadness in my life.

My most vivid memory of Great American Cookie is from my 18th birthday.

I had finished high school through American School a little over a year earlier.  Instead of going to college right away, I chose to devote my time doing correspondence college courses, harp, and voice--learning recording and going to master classes.  Yet I still didn't have my driver's license.

After I opened my presents, Erik excitedly declared--as only he can say it, "Now you can order things on TV!"

There on the shelf was a beautiful, rectangular Great American Cookie that said "Happy Birthday, Jillaine!"

But the day was to get more exciting.  That day Erik and I went to our first driver's ed class but ended up switching classes and starting with a different teacher a week later.

So I remember two things about my 18th birthday: False start of Driver's Ed and Great American Cookie.

Somehow not living near a Great American Cookie makes me want to introduce one of my favorite jazz songs: "'Round Midnight" (sung by Ella Fitzgerald).  I love it for all of its harmonic complexity and the fact it was written by Thelonious Monk, my favorite jazz pianist!  I absolutely love to not only hear him play, but watch him play in recordings!  No sadness here as I approach my birthday without a Great American Cookie!  Only great memories and great music!

Pulling the Birthday Card: Sentimental Journeys

In our family, we have a tradition called claiming the "birthday card."  For the week before and week after someone's birthday, they can say they don't want to do something by "pulling the birthday card."

In general we use it for little things.  For example, if mom asked Erik to take the garbage out on the day before his birthday, Erik could smile and say, "Birthday card!" We'd all laugh and someone else would take the garbage out!

It's all really in good fun.  We also pull the "birthday card" when the family can't decide what to watch or what to eat near someone's birthday.  The default is the birthday person gets to choose!

I don't know how the tradition started, but we sure love the "birthday card!"

So this has gotten me in a sentimental mood, I think I must be ready for a "Sentimental Journey" courtesy of Doris Day.

Ice Cream Cake: The Real McCoy

I don't know how the tradition started, but birthday cakes for Erik and Keith, my brothers, have been Heath-topped Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cakes for many years now!

Neither of them like chocolate ice cream so we always order their cakes special just for them--way  ahead of time.  I however, love chocolate ice cream!

I remember when I was 14, my mom and I tried to make an ice cream cake for Erik's birthday.  Bad idea--it was a miserable failure!  We ended up going through downtown Atlanta to get a real Dairy Queen ice cream cake just in time.  That year, Erik ate the top vanilla layer and I ate the bottom chocolate layer.

So word to the wise: always go for the real ice cream cake.  Don't settle for anything but the real McCoy.  So sing it, Frankie, is it the real McCoy, is it "At Long Last Love?"

Super Muffins and Simple Melodies

A super muffin is a muffin that tastes delicious and is pretty, too!  Let me just say that those two characteristics are a rare combination.

And they have nothing to do with the Super Bowl.  I've never even watched the Super Bowl before.

Whoever invented the muffin liner in the picture above is a genius.  It's way better than crumbly, crinkled wrappers that pull the muffin apart, usually resulting in part of the muffin ending up on the floor.

And the concept of the liner is very simple.  It's just a creased square.  Sometimes the most simple things in life are the best.  So sometimes all you need is "Just a Simple Melody" sung by a very young Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb and His Orchestra!

Brothers, Presents and Fudge

You know the best thing about brothers?  When they know you have a stress-filled week coming up, they buy you half a pound of your favorite Vanilla Praline fudge.  That's what Erik did for me this week!

No worries, I haven't eaten all of it...not even close...yet!

But aren't thoughtful brothers great?

My older brother, Keith, taught me how to play baseball with a baseball--no tennis balls allowed.  I could catch and throw with the best of them.  Erik taught me math in high school, and he's younger than I am.

And now Erik and I work together everyday on music.  Pretty amazing!  Of course, Erik and I have been best friends from the time we were little since we are only 18 months apart.  People used to think we were twins as teenagers because we kind of look like twins and we were on college campuses attending master classes!

So keep the fudge coming, Erik!

(P.S. Keith, I do still like Betty Jane Candies Gremlins, so you can consider it an idea for a birthday present for me...)

For today, I thought I'd highlight Rush, one of Erik's absolute favorite bands.  So here's "Tom Sawyer" by Rush!

White Chocolate and Sentimental Moods

Today I had a White Chocolate Raspberry Scone from Great Harvest Bread Company.  It was so delicious!

I'll be honest, I usually don't like white chocolate because normally I encounter a waxy texture and bland flavor.  But this was not the case today!

So the above picture, like the chocolate covered strawberries from yesterday, seems to have a bit of "romance" about it.  I mean, it's white chocolate raspberry, after all.

So I thought a great song for today would be "In a Sentimental Mood" sung by Ella Fitzgerald.  And guess what?  "In a Sentimental Mood" will be on my jazz standards album coming out this summer!