In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed actress Caitríona Balfe for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Caitríona is not only the star of the new film Belfast, she also co-stars in Outlander as Claire Fraser. A joy to spend a half hour with Caitríona (pronounced Catrina) talking about growing up in Ireland and her desire as a child and teen to see the world. For a time there during the interview, I was afraid the British were going to show up and we'd have to run (a small Outlander joke). If you haven't watched the Outlander series, you must. It's beautifully shot, the sage is gripping and the acting is superb. You'll find it on Amazon Prime and Starz. [Photo above of Caitríona Balfe in Malibu, Calif., in 2020, in The Wall Street Journal by James Houston]
Here's the trailer for Belfast...
And here's Caitríona in Outlander (a new season is coming next year)...
Artt Frank, author of two memoirs (here and here) that heavily feature Chet Baker and Artt's years with the trumpeter, sent along links to two songs he wrote [photo of Artt Frank above]:
Here's Artt Frank Jazz Ensemble playing Remembering Chet...
And here's Nenette, a waltz dedicated to Nenette Zazarra, who married pianist Bill Evans in 1973...
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. On November 28, CBS will air from 8 to 9 p.m. (ET/ PT) One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, a concert special honoring the musical legacy and enduring friendship of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Taped at two sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall in August to celebrate Bennett’s 95th birthday, the live concert was glimpsed on CBS's Sixty Minutes earlier in the fall, and Lady and I covered it during our interview here.
Here's Tony and Andy Williams in 1965 singing a medley...
Here's Lady and Tony singing Night and Day from their new duet album, Love for Sale...
Cory Weeds—What Is There to Say (Cellar). Backed by 13 strings spectacularly arranged by by pianist Phil Dwyer, saxophonist Corey Weeds weaves through eight songs. Dwyer, a member of the Order of Canada for his contribution to jazz, creates a lush and dramatic backdrop as Cory plays seductively on songs such as I Wish You Love, At Dawning, Love Is Wild and What Is There to Say. The interactions between the strings and Corey's ballad approach are captivating. Go here.
Here's I Wish You Love...
Coleman Hawkins radio. WKCR-FM in New York will present its annual "Coleman Hawkins Birthday Broadcast" this Sunday, November 21, playing his music on the radio for 24 hours starting at midnight (ET). You can listen from anywhere in the world by going here.
David Frishberg (1933-2021), a cabaret-styled composer and lyricist and extraordinary jazz pianist, died November 17. He was 88. For Frishberg's life and career, read Barry Singer's moving New York Times obituary here.
Here's one of my favorite Frishberg songs—with music by Johnny Mandel and lyrics by Frishberg—You Are There. For me, this recording, with Frishberg on piano and singing, is the song's definitive version...
