Annie reminded me that my favorite "banjo song", If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out, by Cat Stevens is on YouTube. So I went and listened, and liked it so much that I put it up here on the 'blog for you. I first heard the song played on the banjo during the movie Harold and Maude, a black comedy by Hal Ashby from the 1970's. Man, there was some black humor and before-its-time themes in that movie! It remains one of the Top 10 movies of all time for me.
If you get to the actual YouTube page with the video and comments, I think you'll see a wide variety of opinions on the song, on Cat Stevens, his religion, middle east relations, and that's just on the first page! That was soooo interesting to me.
I also saw on YouTube where there is a "trailer" for Harold and Maude which has some key scenes and pertinent dialog, so I added that one above. Bud Cort was in only one other movie as far as I know (and I can't remember the name of it), but Ruth Gordon went on to make other movies (Rosemary's Baby, the Any Which Way but Loose movies too I think) and was a real gem of an actress. Interesting note: "They Did a Bad, Bad Thing" is the music behind the "trailer," which I remember from another weird movie, Eyes Wide Shut. Now there's a whole 'nuther blog topic! :-)
Anyway, I still can't get over how outrageous that movie was. Brings out the "old hippie" in me! And the soundtrack by Cat makes it just about perfect. Trouble is another favorite song from the movie. If you can find it, give it a spin. But be warned, I don't accept any responsibility for any hurt feelings or offenses the movie gives you. But, like many movies today, it takes a few pokes on our warlike nature, and has feminist and right to life issues thrown in as well.
Enjoy! More later,
Mike Z
PS I changed the YouTube video on Trouble because it has shots from the movie (not that I didn't like Cat's face young and older over and over, but I thought this more appropriate to the topic)
Wow, Cat Stevens and Ruth Gordon. Two of my favs for sure. I think I might have seen Harold and Maude many moons ago but don't really remember it. Looks like I should view it again. :) Pretty touchy subject matter for that time. Just as Cat Stevens is now. Ruth Gordon cracks me up. Her voice, body and facial expressions were priceless. Thanks for putting this post up, Mike. Cheers Heather
ReplyDeleteP.S. And What's not to like about Chris Isaak's tune on the trailor. LOVE HIM! Saw him in concert about a year ago. Whole band was awesome. Did you ever catch his TV show, "The Chris Isaak Show". It was on Showtime down there and on Much More Music up here. Reminded me of my days bartending at the Crazy Horse in Dartmouth, NS. Working with all the amazing musicians of the time. Good times. Wish they would bring it back or put it on DVD. Cheers Heather
ReplyDeleteHarold and Maude is all my all-time favorite movie, and Bud Cort is my favorite actor of all-time. That movie made me re-evaluate myself and my convictions of life and love. Cat Stevens even became my favorite artist after I watched Harold and Maude. I think his music beautifully set the tone for each scene, and helped us to percieve the actions of Maude and Harold. This movie, and his songs, were so poigniant, moving, compelling, and breathtaking. I also think Bud Cort did a brilliant performance as Harold. He added a touch of innocence to Harold that no other actor could. He was very expressive and believeable in every scene. In case you're wondering what other things Bud Cort has been in, there is a fan site for Bud Cort that lists all his credits: http://www.geocities.com/budcortfanclub
ReplyDeleteHeather - Don't get me wrong, I really like the trailer tune (guess I forgot it was Chris Isaak, isn't that a coincidence!) but what struck me was that the original trailer for Harold and Maude couldn't have had that song behind it, because it was written after the movie was made. It was dubbed in by someone, to great effect, IMO. If I see it on DVD, I will definitely pick it up.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't get the good channels on our cable... too cheap I guess. I can watch sometimes when I'm traveling but I missed his show. But I'm a great fan, and thanks to you I have his band 'blog on my watch list.
I will have to get H&M and watch it again. I think Amy bought it on DVD, so I will borrow it from her.
Nicole - Thanks so much for posting, glad to find another Harold and Maude/Bud Cort fan! The movie that I knew he had acted in was Brewster McCloud (thanks to you for providing the fan site so I could look it up) but I had no idea he had acted in so many other movies! Amazing. Just amazing.
What made BC so great in Harold and Maude to me was the balance between innocence toward Maude and downright disdain for just about everyone else in the movie. With a simple facial expression (a la Charlie Chaplain) he could say more than a thousand words of dialogue. And he understated every single scene, making the whole effect that much more outrageous and hysterical. And Ruth Gordon was the perfect leading lady for the movie. I can't think of anyone (then or now) who could have done it besides her.
I was a fan of Cat Stevens before H&M came out. I am probably the only person in the world who still has CS's very first album on London records. My favorite of all his LPs is Teaser and the Firecat, but Mona Bone Jakon (what does that mean anyway?) has a special spot in my musical heart.
Please check in again, there are several folks in the group who love to talk music/movies/anything at all. I would appreciate your thoughts on anything I put up!
Hey Mike, I realized that someone put Chris Isaak's song to that movie title, after the fact, as well. :) Fits though. Good choice. Well after reading the words from you and Nicole, I can't wait to see the movie. Cheers Heather
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you I bought some Carolyn Wonderland off iTunes? It's really great. And an Eva Cassidy one as well. :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't YouTube amazing, Michael?
ReplyDeleteAs to Bud Cort - he's been in lots of movies but never at that level of fame. I knew we'd seen him fairly recently and a check of his list on the movie database made me remember it was Wes Annderson's movie The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.
My daughter has seen Chris Isaak a bunch of times - she taped one of his Christmas radio shows for me because she knows I like him!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Heather - so glad you got some Carolyn Wonderland music, I think she is pretty great! I d/l'd the songs from her website I think.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to see the movie so much I went to blockbuster yesterday and rented it! Amy's copy is on VHS and our player is clogged up w/ a tape and is pretty useless.
Annie - yep, I think a lot of things on the internet are pretty amazing. YouTube is way up there on the list. My son Jason likes StumbleUpon too. he sends me stumbles all the time.
When I went to the fan site that Nicole mentioned I was amazed at the number of movies BC has been in. I noticed The Life Aquatic on the list. Is that the movie with Bill Murray? Think so.
Thanks to everyone for the lively conversation! I mightily appreciate it.
Mike Z
I adore You Tube too. I can spend hours on there searching music. Stayed up till 3am on Thursday night, as a matter of fact. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Life Aquatic is a great film too! Bill Murray is in it. Not sure if BC is or not. Harold and Maude is on my list for this winter. Cheers Heather