Twenty years ago, the album Red Hot + Blue was released. It featured the music of American musical theater legend Cole Porter and some of the top acts of the day, all to raise money and awareness for AIDS research. The album contained 20 cuts, and I found 17 videos for those cuts, and for the next several weeks, will be running them in this Monday night spot. The album was thought of as a fundraising tool, it also allowed the artists involved great freedom with their interpretation of Porter's music, making for a wide variety of styles on the album. We shall go through the album in the order that is on my CD, which I did purchase at the time.
Porter was an amazing talent, and some consider him one of the best LGBT songwriters, if not THE best. He started his Broadway career in 1915, when one of his songs appeared in a Broadway Revue. He was just 24 years old. He went on to write songs for the theater like Lets Do It, Let's Fall In Love, What Is This Thing Called Love, and Anything Goes.Despite having a whife of 35 years, most believed him to be gay, and the marriage one between two dear friends who gave one another space and freedom, while gaining both wider acceptance in the greater world at large.
When it comes to incredible voices, it is hard to top kd lang. The Canadian singer has a rock-solid sound, with an emotive quality that is amazing. She takes on Porter's So In Love, and puts in what could be the best performance in the collection.
When it comes to poppy and flirty, it is hard to compete with Erasure. Andy Bell's vocals are at once coy and kittenish, almost coo-ing the lyrics of Too Darned Hot. And Vince Clarke's accompaniment is just perfect.
The Jungle Brothers work the heck outta I Get A Kick, delivering a very urban version of the song. While it carries very little of Porter's song, it is still a wonderful homage to the songwriter.
I remember when this album came out...I only recently found out that Cole Porter was part of our community and was taken aback.
ReplyDeleteNight and Day is a good one - did U2 cover this one?
SteveA, yes, U2 covered 'Night & Day' on this album, and it was really good. I think it was in last Monday's post. This is the fourth installment, check out the others!
ReplyDeleteman, the memories from this CD. Classic times
ReplyDeleteWonder Man, I hear you!
ReplyDeletehello from greece!
ReplyDeletei was collecting videos & info for a similar post about this incredible album, when google search brought me to your place. well, first of all -what are the odds! and secondly, it seems that you've done most of the work for me :P
i would like to use some of your info, if you don't mind. of course, i will make sure to include a link & reference to your blog.
in addition, i was thinking of uploading the 3 missing tracks on youtube (no vid, just the audio). i can let you know when i do, so you can include them in your posts as well.
cheers :)
Spiral, You are more than welcome to use what you would like. Glad you found it, and have enjoyed the first 4 posts. The final one is coming next Monday, but would be happy to include the three missing tracks in a future post!
ReplyDeletethanx howard, i really appreciate that.
ReplyDeletei'm planning on posting my thing around the end of september, for the 20th aniversary of the album's release. i will let you know when i do, and also when i upload the audio on yt (which should be sometime in the next week).
take care!