Discussion Forum

Leontyne Price singing Barber's Knoxville, Summer of 1915
Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues Singers
W C Fields 'The Bank Dick' & 'The Gift'

Just some of the rather good stuff from the US.

Urban crime? That's was funny! Made me laugh out loud!

A lot of Americans have forgotten or don't really know that if it weren't for African music, Elvis might not have been who he was. There would have been no one shaking his pelvis on national TV.

I could do without fast food though. So sick of that! Literally!

America has also, apparently, invented the autoimmune disease. I read that in an article. They are more prevalent here than anywhere else. Western Europe second. They are hardly seen in 3rd world countries.

I am pretty sure we can blame the Standard American Diet on a lot of things. So, thanks for that fast food!

America also has invented the whole "live to work" saying and has expected the rest of the world to follow in its foot steps. I like the rest of the world's "work to live" concept!

I totally agree with the comments above. I've watched many a documentary where black musicians did NOT get paid adequately for their contributions to the music scene. Disgraceful...they couldn't even frequent the establishments they played in as 'guests'. Thank goodness that era is behind us all.

Gregory Hines and all those wonderful black tap dancers...The Sand Man, for one, where would tap be without them? They tapped on streets and had such talent. Gregory Hines was a Patron of the Performing Arts Accademy my daughter attended in Toronto. He donated a portable tap stage to the Accademy and was due to visit the students. Sadly - he died just before the date of his planned visit.

Motown...a favourite music 'style' of mine in my teens in England right beside the Beatles on my 'shelf'.

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Yup! My husband works to live.....always has. Even when we lived in England, even when he worked in Saudi and Oman.

On the other hand, I love teaching so live to work - for the next 2 weeks 'till I retire. But......I have outside hobbies and don't socialize with other teachers....not to be snobby...but we don't share interests.

A couple of my female, over 40, unmarried colleagues....eat, drink and sleep 'teaching'...not healthy. IMHO.

I was impressed by the architecture in New York.

The Chrysler building must be the ultimate in art deco.

And Grand Central Station is mightily impressive.

Regards

Skoob.

Great music. No denying that.

Great literature, and some great films, although I do feel that Hollywood has lost its way in recent years.

Having said that, the US is still a hotbed of brilliant independent movie making.

Some fantastic UK films too, but for my money there's a bit too much of the cockney gangster stuff floating around.

I used to like the 'kitchen sink' dramas we did so well over here back in the 60's - stuff like 'Saturday Night And Sunday Morning.'

And I think films like 'Kes' demonstrated that a brilliant film could be made without a massive budget.

Regards

Skoob.

It is amazing how many American films are filmed in Canada, (Vancouver, Quebec, Toronto) because it is cheaper to make them here.

Watch the credits of some of the newer films and American t.v. dramas etc.

My daugher was in an episode of Forensic Factor....about an American Serial Killer. It was filmed in Toronto. Police wearing American Uniforms.

When we see American police on the streets of Toronto, we know they are filming ......

Also, fake snow piled up agains building in the middle of July..

Apparently, episodes of Night Heat (set in New York) were filmed in Toronto and I heard that the prop people were annoyed because they 'dressed' up alleyways in Toronto to look like New York alleyways, strewn with cardboard boxes and garbage bags, only to find when returning to film the following day....it had all been cleaned up.

Thay had to put 'guards' on their garbage after that. True story. Well...AS IT WAS TOLD TO ME

Isn't it nice to have a civilized discussion and get to know more about each other as 'people' and not just 'spoofers'?

I think so anyhoo!

Robert Johnson: 'King of the Delta Blues'

Ha ha. You showed your hand with that one Erskin. You've gotta be taking the piss.

F**k knows who the other lot are, apart from WC Handy.

I love the blues; and Jazz. I've just discovered Cajun and might look into that too.

By the way, sod all the black/white catagorisation. It isn't important. As Monk said 'It's all folk music'. Amen to that.

I've been introduced to Jazz by my husband but get The Blues mixed up with it at times.

We went to see B.B.King at th Molson Amphitheatre (Toronto I believe). He was fanbloodytastic.

Sorry, I don't understand. Taking the piss? I did get the title wrong - it's 'King of the Delta Blues Singers' and it's brilliant.

W C Handy? Huh?

Maybe I don't get the joke but I wasn't joking about some of the greatest music - and comedy - of all time.

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Quote: Randy Tear

Robert Johnson: 'King of the Delta Blues'

Ha ha. You showed your hand with that one Erskin. You've gotta be taking the piss.

F**k knows who the other lot are, apart from WC Handy.

I love the blues; and Jazz. I've just discovered Cajun and might look into that too.

By the way, sod all the black/white catagorisation. It isn't important. As Monk said 'It's all folk music'. Amen to that.

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Of course there's the story about The Rolling Stones visiting Chess Studios and finding Muddy Waters painting the walls.

Apocryphal or not, it says a lot.

Odd that a folk music of oppression spawned a globally-marketed commodity.

Let's not forget Star Wars. Special effects and sci-fi wouldn't be what it is today with out George Lucas.

And, yeah. I'm a geek. So what?

That's a cracking example Ellie. An all-American movie blockbuster with universal appeal. If I remember correctly, most of the SFX for the original Star Wars were filmed in London, with Lucas presiding.

Regards

Skoob.

Apologies Erskin.

I need a break from this forum business. Bloody paranoid I am.

My wife and I are off to England in a few days. Perfect opportunity to take five well needed ones I think.

Humblest.....

I shouldn't worry about it Randy.

There seems to be a lot of paranoia around lately.

People seeing things that aren't there, misinterpretation etc.

Start worrying when the loonies decide to draw conclusions about you on the forum, or start sending eMails because you may not agree with their point of view.

This certainly can be a weird old world.

Regards

Skoob.

Have a great time in England. I do mean that most sincerely.

I hope to go 'over 'ome in October.

You'll not face any flack for changing the topic....but I usually DO. Par for the course...I have come to expect it now.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work they go. Give it your best shot guys.

Oo! How the truth stings. OW! Anyone needing their wounds 'kissing better' ?

I would comment on Australian culture.

Unfortunately, the only culture here is what one finds in a bio-yoghurt.

Thanks guys.

I just didn't know what you were on about, that's all. Still don't, as a matter of fact.

A matter of fact? Fact is, it doesn't matter.

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Quote: Randy Tear

Apologies Erskin.

I need a break from this forum business. Bloody paranoid I am.

My wife and I are off to England in a few days. Perfect opportunity to take five well needed ones I think.

Humblest.....

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I have no idea what this is all about either.

Seems to be drawing a crowd though.

Perhaps there might be something to it.

either but

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Quote: Erskin Quint

I just didn't know what you were on about, that's all. Still don't, as a matter of fact.

A matter of fact? Fact is, it doesn't matter.

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Quote: Randy Tear

Apologies Erskin.

I need a break from this forum business. Bloody paranoid I am.

My wife and I are off to England in a few days. Perfect opportunity to take five well needed ones I think.

Humblest.....

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Absolutely Victor.

Nothing short of a sensational event would stop the London Messenger Boy in his tracks.

We'd better stick around.

Let's wait until the crowd thickens a bit and then size them up.

I'm actually surprised Mark hasn't clamped you guys after CJ's and LG's slight altercation.

Hi JO..

Didn't see you around all weekend..

Which possibly explains why you're grabbin' at straws..

and talkin' bollocks..

Regards

CJ

As usual CJ as usual, it's what we are supposed to be doing or not?