5 on Friday -- Set 272

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

My mom and I attended the funeral of a family friend this afternoon -- former radio broadcaster Ron Roberts.

Ron had passed away on May 4th, but his memorial service was delayed until today as his niece was also helping out another elderly family member at the same time. Originally from Cornwall, Ontario, his extended family remains there while Ron spent the last five decades here in the Maritimes.

A very close friend of my Uncle Charlie's, Ron celebrated his 80th birthday in 2013, where I joined my aunt and uncle, my mom, my sister and my brother-in-law to wish Ron a Happy Milestone Birthday.

That's Ron sitting on the couch reading a birthday greeting, surrounded by well-wishers -- including his niece at right who helped with both this birthday and now with arranging his memorial service.

That's me with my sister Michelle and my brother-in-law Newt at the party.

Also at our table: Mrs. Thorne, wife of one of the musicians in Uncle Charlie's various bands; Aunt Noel and Mom

Ron's lifelong radio days friends and fellow broadcasters John Cunningham at left, Clary Flemming, center, and Uncle Charlie at right read long-distance birthday greetings (including one from my other uncle, Warren, in Michigan) from the many friends Ron made in his broadcasting career.

Once again, Uncle Charlie spoke to the gathering following Ron's funeral, at the reception.

In honour of Ron and his made-for-radio voice, his encyclopedic musical knowledge and his unending love of the big band era, swing jazz, cool jazz and cool cats, here is a Ron-inspired 5 on Friday set featuring some of his favourites -- beginning with a song that he co-wrote.

1 - One Little Girl - Carl Dobkins, Jr.

Ron did an extensive blog interview about his career last year for Bevboy. Here are some tales about the tracks in today's set:

"While I was here in Halifax, I was going with a pretty young girl from Queen Elizabeth High School. I wrote a song that was recorded by Carl Dobkins, Jr...He had a big hit with 'Look! Look! My Heart Is An Open Book!' It was his first big hit. And this was a follow up to it. It automatically got a lot of air play."  

2 - Anywhere I Wander - Julius La Rosa

"I was a big fan of La Rosa’s because he, next to Frank Sinatra, his phrasing is better than any singer going...He never recorded very much. I only have one album by him, I think." 

3 - It Shouldn't Happen to a Dream - Al Hibbler

"Al Hibbler...was a blind singer with Duke Ellington’s band. He came here to Halifax to do a show at the Forum, which I MC’d. The opening act was a very young comedian/impersonator by the name of Rich Little. 

They came back to my place after for a party. When you come off the Bedford highway, around the corner on to Joe Howe, that red brick building with the wooden top, that was my place...But I had no furniture whatsoever: I had just moved in. I invited them back to my place for drinks and sandwiches, but we all sat on the floor. Rich Little is telling, in voice, some of the dirtiest jokes you could never tell on air. 

Before we went on stage at the Forum, I asked Al Hibbler if he would take requests. I said, 'My favourite Al Hibbler song is ‘It Shouldn’t Happen To A Dream’.' We’re all sitting on the floor with our backs against the wall...I said, 'You didn’t sing my song!' He said, 'I’m sorry. I forgot all about it. I’ll do it now. Do you have a piano?' I said, 'Do I have a piano? I don’t even have any frigging furniture! Why do you think you’re sitting on the floor?' He said, 'That’s ok. I’ll do it anyway.' And it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. He put his hand up to his ear and leaned right into my face and started singing. It was magic: Al Hibbard, singing right to me in my place like that."

4 - Lady of the Lavender Mist - Duke Ellington Orchestra

"I used to use this theme called 'The Turquoise Cloud'. On the same album, there was a song called 'Lady of the Lavender Mist'. It’s a very hard song for anybody to hum because it’s all in the voicing of the instruments he used. 

Duke Ellington’s band played The Lobster Trap. It was in the basement of what is the Trademart Centre is now. He was there for a week. Peter Power is my longest and oldest dearest friend. He was the President of the Musician’s Union...He took me backstage to meet Duke Ellington.

At the time he was very, very old and not very well. I said, 'Does a guy get to make a request?' He said, 'Yes. What would you like to hear?' I said, 'Could you do ‘Lady of the Lavender Mist’?' He said, 'How does it go?' I thought, 'Is he putting me on? There’s no way I’m going to stand here in front of this genius and try to hum this melody to him!' " 

5 - Somewhere Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin

"When I was working at WSDS in Massena I heard that [Bobby] was appearing at the Three Rivers Inn, which is just outside of Syracuse. When I worked at WOLF I used to go there all the time.

Anyway, I drove from Massena to see him at the Three Rivers Inn. After the show the guy said, 'You’ll have to wait to go upstairs to the dressing room.'...When I did go up, he was sitting there in his shorts with a towel around him. And, I saw all these great big tanks. At the time, I thought, 'Oh, they’re probably used to fill balloons for the chorus girls or if somebody’s having a birthday.' I later learned that, oh, my god, they were for him. He would just have to go and suck oxygen afterward...You would never know because he just gave everything he had."

  

5 on Friday - Set 180

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

This week I'm handing the set list over to my uncle, Charles Doucet (father of my historical-romance-novelist cousin, Julianne MacLean.)

My uncle has been a musician, among many other things, for most of his life. He's heading off today for a three-day art show with his painterly photography collection at Victoria Park, across from the Public Gardens on Spring Garden Road, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. If you aren't in the area, you can check out his web site where all pieces are available (just contact him through the web site.)

Brad and I are heading over this afternoon to visit my aunt and uncle at the show -- that's them pictured above at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration last summer.

And now...over to you, Uncle Charlie.

~~~

Charlie Doucet’s 5 Tunes from Musicians of Influence

1 - St. Thomas - Barney Kessel

Barney Kessel:  My first and greatest influence as a beginning teenaged, potential jazz guitar player! Bought his album, “The Poll Winners, with Ray Brown on Bass, ( another major influence!,) Shelly Manne on drums. Wore the album out attempting to duplicate what I heard thru my 331/3 LP player in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

2 - All the Things You Are - Hank Garland

Hank Garland: A very tasty guitar player… I learned his tune, “Relaxin”, back in the 1960’s and it’s in my repertoire to this day.

3 - Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me - Ed Bickert

Ed Bickert: A Canadian, working out of Toronto, is recognized as one of the best jazz guitarist in the world. He plays guitar on the Moe Koffman hit, “Swinging Shepard Blues.” Also backed up Paul Desmond, the alto sax player formerly with Dave Brubeck of “Take 5” fame.

4 - Django in Paris - Joe Pass

 Joe Pass: A superb and truly amazing  jazz guitarist! His playing is immaculate, every note true and crystal clear, even at fast and furious tempos. I have a number of his teaching DVDs…too bad he has passed away… a real loss to up and coming guitarists looking for a creative path to follow!

5 - Lady Be Good - Ray Brown

Ray Brown: A Bass Player of impeccable talent. The foundation of time for any musicians he played with… such as Barney Kessel, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitsgerald and countless others. At 76 years old, he had just finished a golf game, went to bed in his hotel room for a nap before an evening performance… and didn’t wake up… another great loss!

5 on Friday - Set 127

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

As the kick-off to our 20th anniversary celebration, my husband and I enjoyed a stellar night out on Tuesday at the Schooner Room to see John Pizzarelli, headlining the jazz festival here in Halifax.

It was an awesome evening.

Joining us for such a superb performance were my Aunt Noel and Uncle Charlie, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary out at the lake where my sister and Newt were married. I'm sure Auntie and Uncle thought John Pizzarelli was singing every love song for them, because Brad and I sure thought he was singing them for us.

Here's a shot of my aunt and uncle saluting one another at their 50th.

1 - Harvest Moon 

2 - Satin Doll

3 - I Feel Fine

4 - C Jam Blues

5 - Hit That Jive Jack

At the end of the show, where my family had their own table up front (Mom, Aunt Noel and Uncle Charlie, my Uncle Warren visiting from Michigan, my cousin Julianne MacLean, my sister Michelle and her husband Newt, plus Brad and me) we bought copies of his new CD which he autographed. Then we got our picture taken together--great job, Brad!

L to R: moi, John Pizzarelli, Julianne and Michelle (AKA Daisy Piper)

Summer Stock Sunday - 41

Robin's Summer Stock Sunday meme invites all to post summery photos, and to visit other bloggers who share their feelings and memories about this magical season.
















This is one of the most iconic photos from my childhood.

My sister and I grew up alongside my two cousins as a group of four, with our two families spending both quantity and quality time together.

Because our two dads were scuba divers, we spent many magical days at Polly Cove, near Peggy's Cove. The men dived, the women set up the day's base camp and enjoyed one another's company - while we kids ran over the rocks, climbed, ran, explored, watched the waves, made return visits to the moms for snacks and juice, and generally made the kinds of memories that loom the largest when I think of the happiest times of my life.

Clockwise from left, back row: my sister Michelle, my cousin Charlie, me, and my cousin Julianne











This is my dad with Polly Cove in the background.













This photo was taken by my uncle, Charles E. Doucet - it's one of my favorites of his art photography pieces.

Taken out where we had so many great times together.

5 on Friday - Set 77

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

Last week urban fantasy writer A.C. Ruttan shared a playlist from her creative process as she wrote Incarnate.

This week, I'll take you inside some of the inspiration for my Scorpius serial - his boyhood backstory - as well as the adult storyline for which I received requests at the writers' conference. Lots of Scorpius on the brain, these days, from two age ranges.

1 - Stabat Mater by Vivaldi - Philippe Jaroussky

The opening section is my favorite part (first 2 minutes.)



2 - La Stravaganza Concerto 6 in G minor by Vivaldi - Sir Neville Marriner, The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

The section that begins at the 2:50 mark is the part that belongs to my Scorpius tale.



3 - Recercada No. 1 by Diego Ortiz - Flanders Recorder Quartet



4 - Mandolin Music for Renaissance Faires - Allan and Alexandra Alexander



5 - Credo from Missa da Pacem by Jacobus de Kerle - Paul van Nevel, Huelgas Ensemble



An added bonus track:

Last weekend I shot some footage for my uncle, who played a gig at an art gallery with my aunt. Here's the video of one of their repertoire, Wave by Antonio Carlos Jobim. In the video you'll see kids playing on an art piece down at the Halifax waterfront entitled Wave.

The footage I shot was the musical performance and my uncle's art pieces on display at the gallery, the stuff outside the gallery, etc.

Uncle Charlie added other footage he'd shot of the waterfront area and Halifax Harbour.

Virtual Advent Tour - 2010 - My 1000th Post!!

Welcome to this year's edition of the Virtual Advent Tour. The tour has been running for five years now, and this is my third year participating.

As a lifelong Christmas devotee, I was in an odd place during the Christmas of 2007, when I first came across this blog event. My dad had passed away nine months earlier, my grandmother had just passed away at the beginning of that December, and my father-in-law was in the last month of his life.

I was a little numb. A part of me reached out for Christmas, while another part of me could only watch Christmas stumble past. When I found this blog tour of other Christmas enthusiasts, writing about all the things that made this season special for them - it was a lifeline to sanity. It helped me to celebrate even in the midst of my sorrow.














So now I'd like to invite you to the most special night of the year for my family - Christmas Eve.

My family and my cousin's family grew up together, more as one group of eight rather than two groups of four. We were constantly at one another's homes, so the evening of Christmas Eve needed to be super special.

We began dressing up in our most formal wear for this biggest night on our social calendar. When we were kids, we settled in to watch the Christmas TV specials that were on, like Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Grinch and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

That's me above, waiting for my second wind, with my cousin Julianne looking on, and our Gram. We're pictured in Auntie's living room, where the adults gathered for drinks and to chat while the kids played around the house and chatted our little-kid chats. We always knew we had progressed into a new era of our lives when we gravitated toward sitting with the adults rather than hanging out in the TV room with the kid hors d'oeuvres of cheesies and pop.


















As we got older, we stopped eating the kids' meal of hotdogs and french fries, and we discovered the wonders of my aunt's seafood bisque, a dish I dream about all year long.














She's usually busy stirring it as we arrive, because it can't be left unattended even for a second.
































Spouses were folded into the mix, and new little cousins as they appeared.





















My musical family began having a musical Christmas Eve. It's an East Coast tradition to have impromptu musical parties erupting in homes all over this region. But we do rehearse just a tad. We try to keep our performance pieces as secret from each other as we can so there will be a bit of a surprise for everyone.
























There's always the possibilty that we try to dress up on this special night as a way of keeping the silliness factor under control.

But as you can see, it only ever meets with mixed success.



































This year we'll be in Toronto to celebrate with my husband's family.

*insert excited squeal*

But the East Coast Christmas Eve will carry on while we're enjoying the love and hugs from our Big City family and friends.

From our celebration to yours, may you have the Merriest of Christmases.

Thank you to Kailana @ The Written World and Marg @ Adventures of an Intrepid Reader for hosting this beautiful event. ((hugs)) to you!

Summer Stock Sunday - 26

My vintage look at summer for Summer Stock Sunday, hosted by Robin at Around the Island.













Since much of North America has been suffering through a rather sizzling summer, here's a visual cool-down for those of you who would rather fry your eggs in a pan instead of on the sidewalk.

Here on Canada's east coast, summer can mean waking up to fog, drizzle and mist. That's why everyone here dresses by the layers code. Lightweight weatherproof jackets that won't turn cumbersome are perfect when the fog burns off and the sun comes blazing out.

Back in the day - the early 1970's - just before Gore-Tex became the clothing material of choice for Maritimers - denim was the go-to all-weather layer. Here my dad strikes his version of the Marlboro Man pose during a trip he took to Newfoundland with my uncle.

I love the low-lying fog out by the far shore in this shot, and the stunted trees hugging the land from the unrelenting wind coming in from the sea. Very likely this shot was taken by my Uncle Charlie.

Anne MacFarlane says Love those summer days that start off with fog rolling in from the water, then slowly the sun shines through! Like a nice big yellow surprise!

Gattina says In Belgium too we have to dress like an onion, like we say, and then you take the layers off or put them on depending if it gets warm or cold, lol!

Dianne says Fog, drizzle and mist sounds so good right now!! :)

Summer Stock Sunday - 20

A vintage look at summer for Summer Stock Sunday, hosted by Robin at Around the Island.












This picture was taken by my grandfather in the mid-1940's, when my mom and her brother were taken to the travelling circus when it visited Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

I've always thought this shot looks like a still from an old film.

Mama Zen says It does look like a still from an old film. That is so neat!

Patty Reiser says This photograph reminds me of "The Little Rascals." Wishing you a wonderful Summer Stock Sunday! Celebrate Life and Capture It!

Robin says Certainly nothing says summer better than cotton candy at the circus.

Poetry Train Monday - 144 - American sentence 5

For some time now, the kids who go to and from the elementary school behind our house have been enamoured of the little tree tunnel created when we had our fence put in a few years ago. The original owners had planted a line of spruce trees beside a fence, but over time the fence collapsed and the trees grew over the original fence line.

Before the new fence was installed, I trimmed the branches from the line of spruce closest to the house so the trunks would be flush for the fence. Once it was up, a perfect tunnel appeared between the fence and the trees, and it is now a kid part of the way to school. No kid can resist it.

Which my mom and I think is adorable. But not quite so charming are the kids who bounce against the fence at the entrance to the tree tunnel. Over time this has bent the top bar and ripped the chain link from the bar. Not only that, an intrepid girl has decided that she adores climbing the towering Scotch pine in our yard, which you can see in the picture.














So today my uncle came over and removed the bottom layer of branches from the huge pine, as well as took down the scraggly fir at the beginning of the tunnel, which the girl used as steps to get up to the fence and then into the pine. This opens that area to a bit more sun, because I'll be planting a cutting from the monster rose bush at the foot of that section of fence. No more bouncey-bouncey, because those rose thorns are vicious from that particular rambler.

Meanwhile, for my first official day in the garden this spring, my agoraphobic husband came out in the yard with me and we wired the chain link back to the top bar. It even snowed tiny pellets on us at one point, but we didn't care. Brad was a total trooper. Believe me, he was having lots of anxiety out there in the fresh air. But he knew I could use the muscle to pull the heavy-gauge wire taut, and it's sexy to show off for your honey.

So, for today's Poetry Train, I give you this American sentence:

Misshapen tree sacrificed so that girl can't reach her sylvan goddess.

For more poetry, Ride the Poetry Train!

Stan Ski says Climing trees is part of growing up. I'm sure she'll think of a way to get up there.

Nikita Banerjee say Oh no! I would have loved to do something like the little girl!

Akelamalu says You have to be so careful here these days - some kid climbs your fence or tree and hurts themself then they sue you! :0

Thursday Thirteen - 147 - 13 Creative Works by My Uncle, Renaissance Man Charles E. Doucet

It's a huge crowd here today for the opening of my Uncle Charlie's art show here at A Piece of My Mind.

Come in! Come in! Have some chocolate-dipped strawberries, some grapes and cheese. A glass of wine.

Uncle Charlie is front and center for the family portrait. He's usually behind the camera! Take a picture, quick - Oh, well, he's picking up his guitar, getting ready for a jazz duo with his wife, my Aunt Noel. That's how it is with Uncle Charlie. That's why he's the Renaissance Man Extraordinaire.

As more guests arrive to the gallery, let's find a spot to enjoy Uncle Charlie's original composition which he wrote with Auntie especially for this art opening.

1 - Jazz guitar original composition



*clapping*

Oh, I just love the buttery-smooth tone of his guitar.

In case you need a bass player, he can play electric bass, as well. And if your keyboard player can't make it, he can take that gig, as well.



Uncle Charlie is a musician, composer, painter, wood carver, photographer, film and television producer and former underwater filmmaker.

That's him back in the day with an underwater camera casing, out at my favorite spot on earth, Polly Cove.








This is my favorite of his fine art photographs, taken out at my favorite piece of heaven.



- 2 Two Boulders










A lifelong fisherman, wilderness camper and hunter, Uncle Charlie has trekked deep into pristine forests to get amazing shots like Family of Wolves and Lynx in Tree.





- 3 Family of Wolves










- 4 Lynx in Tree








At some point, Uncle Charlie thought - hey, why not try painting?




- 5 An early painting














For most of his career, Uncle Charlie has been writing, producing, directing and editing radio and television commercials, regional TV series, documentaries and corporate videos. Here's a promo for a piece he did about our city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

6 - Halifax Harbour: A Geological Journey





There's a strong attachment to the sea for Maritimers, and it gives my uncle a recurring theme in many of his pieces.



7 - Dory Silhouette






















8 - Driftwood art photography




9 - Driftwood Twists














10 - A favorite driftwood face












11 - The Viking King






Uncle Charlie has turned his attention more recently to wood carving. Some of his creations do double duty as holiday greeters for the family Christmas Eve dinner.
















A passionate gardener, his affinity for growing things leads to another strong element to his photography.



12 - Grapes












13 - Amaryllis Leaves













Oh - there's the artist now! Uncle Charlie - ((hug)) - I'm so glad you decided to have a show here on my blog. I absolutely love your new website, Charles E. Doucet Creatives.


You mean you built your website yourself?


The Renaissance Man shrugs. What can he say?




And here comes his daughter, historical romance author Julianne MacLean. "Hi, Cuz!" she smiles.



Oh, Julianne - your dad's art show is really amazing.










Her brother Charlie runs up to join us.


"This is awesome!" he says.













And Uncle Charlie's sister - my mom - and his wife, my Aunt Noel join us just as another tray of cheesecake squares and Cape Breton 'pork pies' (maple and date tarts) goes by.

Mmm...I think I'll nab a few of those...

Auntie, I loved your flute in the music video.

"Oh, thank you!" she says.

The crowd continues to stroll past the art work, and Uncle Charlie is busy chatting to guests. Thank you so much for coming to my latest art show! If we're lucky, they might pick up their guitar and flute again...

Robin says Wow, a Renaissance Man is right - he's extraordinary! I love his nature photography. Thank you so much for sharing your Uncle Charles with us.

Julianne MacLean says Wow - what a fun show! I'm very proud of my Dad. He is such an inspiration to me - and so are you, Julia, my lovely cuz, for hosting his art show at your exquisite "blogallery." Great start to my day :)

Uncle Charlie says My daughter Julianne described it nicely in her comment,a "blogallery." I loved your creative approach to displaying the various images...a virtual art gallery tour complete with the obligatory wine and cheese offerings, ( and how about those chocolate covered strawberries!!) Your Auntie Noel, (my dear wife,) and I thank you for your thoughtfulness and creativity in your very impressive blog...see you soon!