Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 3, 2011


DEAR JERRY: The modern jazz station in our area just played a tune that really caught my attention.

As is often the case, they didn't give a title, but they did say it was “music from Diana Krall.”

I would buy the album it's on, but only if you help by identifying it.

The theme seems to be her ordering food at a diner, yet she does not want French fried potatoes, stewed tomatoes, pork chops, bacon, fish cakes, rye bread, and other common items.

What she craves in this song is flim flam sauce, with what sounds like awecenfay and shefafa.

Who wants just sauce as the main course? What are those other things? Cajun or Moroccan perhaps? Does any of this really exist?
—Donna Dorfman, Vincennes, Ind.


DEAR DONNA: All of the things Diana does not want to eat are real. Unfortunately, not a one of her preferred choices are likely to be found on anyone's menu — unless concocted specifically to tie-in with “The Frim Fram Sauce.”

Yes, that is the correct title, though it may also be shown as just “Frim Fram Sauce.”

Just to get her order straight, Diana, and everyone else who recorded this song, asks for “frim fram sauce with ossenfay, and chifafa on the side.”

In the original hit version, by the (Nat) King Cole Trio, the waiter is understandably unfamiliar with these delicacies. Nat, now a disappointed customer, ends the track with: “Now if you don't have it, just bring me a check for the water.”

The King Cole Trio's record (Capitol 224) came out in December 1945. In February '46, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald joined forces and crafted an excellent version (Decca 23496), which also became a big hit. Not really a vocal duet, Louis sings the first half and Ella the second, meaning they do not sing together on this number.

In March, Les Brown and His Orchestra, with vocal by Butch Stone, gave “The Frim Fram Sauce” the big band treatment (Columbia 36961), though the Brown-Stone waxing did not chart.

There are three easily available Diana Krall albums with “Frim Fram Sauce”: “Stepping Out”; “All for You (A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio)”; and “The Very Best of Diana Krall.”

Being a personal favorite, Diana's often includes “The Frim Fram Sauce” in her concert sets.


DEAR JERRY: It's been at least a year since I heard Susan Boyle being talked about in the entertainment media. Is her singing career in a sophomore slump?
—Samantha Charles, St. Paul, Minn.


DEAR SAMANTHA: Anything but. As of this writing (December 22), Susan's “The Gift” is the No. 1 title on both the Billboard and Cashbox Top Albums charts, and No. 1 on both of their Christmas album surveys.

Meanwhile, Boyle's debut collection, “I Dreamed the Dream,” the No. 1 album exactly one year ago, is still on the charts and even among the Top 70.

Susan may not be the big news story she became in 2009, when she flabbergasted everyone via Britain's Got Talent, but she sure is ringing up the sales.

If Susan Boyle's “The Gift” holding the No. 1 position on both the Pop and Christmas Albums charts seems quite extraordinary, it certainly is.

However, Susan is not the first to accomplish this feat.

In December 2007, Josh Grobin's “Noel” simultaneously topped those two charts.


IZ ZAT SO? Susan Boyle is not the only familiar name, from TV's talent competition shows, on the current Top 200 Albums list.

Here are six others, some of whom you may have even voted for: Jackie Evancho (“O Holy Night”); Crystal Bowersox (“Farmer's Daughter”); Carrie Underwood (“Play On”); Lee DeWyze (“Live It Up”); Fantasia Barrino (“Back to Me”); and (Chris) Daughtry (“Leave This Town”).


Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net  Visit his Web site: http://www.jerryosborne.com/ 

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission



Music News & Notes

Dirty Beaches Announce Badlands 12"

ZOO MUSIC is proud to present a limited edition "Badlands" 12" vinyl record available on March 29 from Montreal minimalist Dirty Beaches. Pressed in a limited edition of 500 vinyl records, "Badlands" features eight exclusive unreleased tracks coated in noise, echoed vocals and layered distortion.

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Jack White reveals vinyl innovations, Captain Beefheart Sub Pop singles

In honor of the late Captain Beefheart, Third Man is re-pressing the White Stripes single of Captain Beefheart covers "Party of Special Things to Do," "China Pig" and "Ashtray Heart." The tracks were originally released in 2001 via another legendary label vinyl and new release collective, the Sub Pop Singles Club. Not only is it in honor of the recently passed Don Van Vliet, but also for Sub Pop executive Andy Kotowicz, who died in a car accident in October.

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The Strokes’ Fourth Album Due in March

It's been five years since the Strokes released their last album 'First Impressions of Earth,' but the New York quintet have confirmed that they'll drop their fourth record in March. The still-untitled release is in the mixing stage. Bassist Nikolai Fraiture revealed in an interview with the BBC that the new LP will have a "classic sound" similar to the group's second and third releases

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QUEENSRŸCHE, ALICE IN CHAINS, VELVET REVOLVER Members To Perform At Seahawks Vs. Saints Game

Catch a special live musical performance by Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo (QUEENSRŸCHE), Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS) and Ben Smith (HEART) this Saturday, January 8 at the Seattle Seahawks playoff game (half time) against the New Orleans Saints at Seattle's Qwest Field.

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THE BRONX CASKET CO.: 'Antihero' Details Revealed

THE BRONX CASKET CO., the side project of OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni and SEVEN WITCHES guitarist Jack Frost, will release its new album, "Antihero", on January 25 via eOne Music.

It's been five years since THE BRONX CASKET CO. last released an album and has been well worth the wait. Verni states, "This BRONX CASKET record is the best we have done, and we are looking forward to getting out on the road and doing some shows."

THE BRONX CASKET CO.'s follow-up to 2005's "Hellectric" will be the band's first release with D.D. handling all of the vocal duties.






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Gerry Rafferty Dies Following Long Illness

The singer-songwriter, from Scotland, died peacefully at his home following a long illness (age 63). His daughter Martha was at his bedside. Rafferty began his music career as a busker on the London Underground before going on to form the acclaimed band, Stealers Wheel.

The group enjoyed a series of hits, including ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ and ‘Baker Street’ in the 1970s.
Rafferty also battled a drinking problem and had spent time receiving treatment at a Bournemouth hospital for liver failure.