Music Monday: Marshall Crenshaw "Someday, Someway" (Merv Griffin Show 1982)

For whatever reason (I don't know), this song has been in my head for about a week.   "Someday, Someway" is the first Marshall Crenshaw song I ever heard.  His music was part of the soundtrack of my college and grad school years.  Hearing it again takes me back to that other time.  "Someday, Someway" was released in 1982.  Marshall Crenshaw is from Detroit, and at different points in his career he played two famous musicians.  He portrayed John Lennon in the touring company of Beatlemania, and later played Buddy Holly in the movie La Bamba.  I think his voice has a real Buddy Holly quality.  I love his first five albums especially, and still enjoy hearing them:

• Marshall Crenshaw (1982)
• Field Day (1983)
• Downtown (1985)
• Mary Jean & 9 Others (1987)
• Good Evening (1989)
  

And All That Jazz - Downton Abbey, Season 4, Episode 5 (US)

Things we learned on this jazzy episode of Downton Abbey:

Uncle Harold, Cora's brother in America, is in financial distress.  His name is mentioned at least three times, which means he is certain to appear soon on the show.

Mrs. Hughes proclaims, "You know me, Mr. Barrow, a woman of mystery, if ever there was one," when Thomas asks her about the secret Rose has entrusted her with. This is one of my favorite lines of the night, in an episode with one great line after another.

The Dowager Countess continues to clash with Isobel about the young gardener Pegg, and the mystery of the missing knife.  Isobel says, "How you hate to be wrong!"  The Dowager Countess replies:  "I wouldn't know.  I'm not familiar with the sensation."

Mrs. Pattmore has a crush on silent film actor Rudolph Valentino.  "Oh, that Rudolph Valentino.  He makes me shiver all over."  To this Carson retorts:  "What a disturbing thought."

James gets fresh with Ivy after going to see the Valentino movie, The Shiek.   Clearly, Valentino + Downton = Trouble.

Edith worries that she hasn't heard from Michael Gregson, and then she gets the news by letter that she is in the first trimester of pregnancy. 

Anna and Bates work on their relationship with dinner out at the Netherby Hotel.  There is a surprisingly warm scene between them and Cora, who is also dining at the Netherby.

There is a lovely scene of Mary, Isobel Crawley, and Tom Branson in the nursery, reminiscing about their lost loves.  Mary states:  "I'm not unhappy.  I'm just not quite ready to be happy." 

When Mary meets Charles Blake, who accompanies Evelyn Napier to Downton, sparks fly ... and they are not friendly sparks either.

Cousin Rose brings Jack Ross and his band from the Lotus club to Downton Abbey for Lord Grantham's birthday.  Surprisingly, Lord Grantham is pleased with this jazz age surprise.  Mary discovers that Rose has crossed the dating color line (in 1920's England).

Last, but not least, Alfred gets into cooking school at the Ritz in London.  This means we are now saddled with Molesley as a regular character, and we discover he has a first name:  Joseph.

What did you think of tonight's show?   I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section, below.

Friday Faves - TuneIn Radio

Do you love radio?  I always have.  I remember listening to the radio constantly as a young girl, while riding my bike, rollerskating, and lying in bed at night.

I have found a really fun, free app for iPad, tablet, phone, or computer called TuneIn Radio.  It lets you choose your favorite radio by location, by music style, by talk topics, and more.  You can save your favorites and then listen to them anytime.  I have this app installed on my iPad and Blackberry, and I really, really enjoy it.  It is so relaxing to listen to at the end of a long day.  I love browsing oldies by decades (especially my favorites, 60's and 70's).  I also have installed my favorite local jazz station, WCLK.  For some reason I am not able to pick up this station in my house (although I get it fine in my car - go figure!), so it is a treat to be able to listen on phone or tablet.

A head's up about this app -- it uses data minutes like crazy, so be sure you are logged in via a wireless connection.

I hope you enjoy TuneIn as much as I do.  You can find it on iTunes, Google Play, Blackberry World, or computer.  Have fun!

Do you enjoy radio?  What types of radio programs do you like best?  You can talk radio in the comments below. 

Music Monday - "The Telephone Hour" from Bye Bye Birdie

My Music Monday song this week is "The Telephone Hour" from Bye Bye Birdie (1963).  I love musicals, love Bye Bye Birdie, and this is my favorite number from the show.  In a little over 3 minutes, this song tells the story of teenagers who decide to go steady (the girl "gets pinned") -- and how the word spreads among their friends.  The young couple is played by Ann-Margret and Bobby Rydell as Kim and Hugo.  I love the choreography by Joseph F. Biroc, and the graphics at the end of the song - so Mid-Century.   I started thinking about this song last week when I posted about Valentines featuring telephones ... and I have been humming it ever since.

Watching Downton Abbey With Downtown Abby - Season 4, Episode 4 (U.S.)

After all the drama of last week's show, tonight was a quieter hour - meaning not quite as compelling.

We meet Baxter, the new maid.  She seems nice, but she is in cahoots with Thomas.  What is their connection?  I wonder if he is blackmailing her or holding something over her in order to get her to spy on the family?

Mr. Bates finds out from Mrs. Hughes that Anna was raped.  He does not know the identity of the rapist, although he suspects Gillingham's valet.  There is a scene where Mr. Bates and Anna connect again, and she is moving back to the cottage.  He has, however, vowed revenge:  "Nothing is over.  Nothing is done with."

Mary learns that Gillingham is engaged, and sheds a tear.  Edith does not hear from Gregson, and she worries.  Meanwhile, she visits Dr. T. Goldman, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.S. (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons). Could she be pregnant?!

Mr. Napier, who was a friend of the late Mr. Pamuk, visits.  He is working in the area, and will be visiting again, with his boss, Charles Blake.

Alfred takes a test for cooking school at the Ritz, but he is not accepted.  Carson actually encourages him in his ambition.

Carson offers a job to Molesley, and Molesley thinks it over. (Carson offers the footman position when he thinks Alfred will be leaving.)   Molesley tells Carson he supposes he can accept after "mature deliberation."  Carson then rescinds the job offer.

There are some good scenes between Isabel and the Dowager Countess.  Isabel places a young gardener in need of work at the Countess's estate, and a paper knife goes missing.  This leads to a deliberation about the gardener's honesty between Isabel, the Dowager Countess, and Dr. Clarkson.

Tom Branson considers moving to the United States with baby Sybie. This is not resolved, so we will probably hear more in future episodes.

Grantham loans money to a local farmer who is in dire financial straits after his father's death.  When Mary and Tom discover this, they seem to have a sort of grudging admiration for Grantham and his decency.

There is a fun little scene when Cora tells Mrs. Padmore they will be ordering a refrigerator.  Mrs. Padmore, who always holds to the old ways, resists.  Cora asks if there is anything old that she would like to move on from, and Mrs. Padmore replies that she would like to move past corsets.

The trailer for next week shows Mary meeting Charles Blake.  Sparks seem to fly - although more estate related rather than romantic.  The conflict between the Dowager Countess and Isabel Crawley seems to continue.

What did you think of tonight's episode?   What was your favorite scene?  Do you think that Mr. Bates will discover the truth about Anna's rapist?  Why is Edith not hearing from Michael Gregson?   Did you have a favorite line from tonight's show?  I hope you'll comment with your thoughts!