This is my blog where I write about music, and myself. Vaudeville, burlesque, blues, jazz, novelties, and whatever else I feel like posting. Mostly from my own LPs and 78s. Comments and feedback always appreciated. Please do not link directly to mp3s. It's rude.

A few weeks ago I read this book:



"No Applause- Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous" by Trav S.D.

I can't recommend it enough, especially to readers of this blog. It revived my interest in Vaudeville, educated me quite a bit, and riled me up over the timeless tale of corporate takeover of entertainment.

Before Vaudeville was of much interest to me there was Mae West. I believe the second book I read about Mae was "Becoming Mae West" by Emily Wortis Leider. In reading this book I became intrigued by a Vaudeville superstar influence on Mae that kept popping up: Eva Tanguay. In the words of Trav S.D.: "She was crazy." She's basically like... the queen of Vaudeville. I've read tidbits about her, seen a lot of photos where she looks weird and/or unattractive, and as with Lillian Russell, I've always hoped to hear her for myself. Thanks again to "They Stopped The Show," I can. Now, if only there were some footage..

I Don't Care
Eva Tanguay
from "They Stopped The Show" Audio Rarities compilation 1969

the gang's all here


P.S. Speaking of books about Mae, I absolutely loved "Mae West: It Ain't No Sin" by Simon Louvish. It's my new favorite Mae Biography. Louvish is a good writer, he had access to newly released documents, he focuses on the early years and Mae West the writer. Good stuff.

Labels: books, mae west, vaudeville

Posted by: Kara Mae 4/22/2008  (4) comments

I hate drinking water. It tastes weird and gross to me.
But I have been drinking it lately. It's been hot out. I like it icy cold. As cold as possible.
Mostly though, I've been drinking the demon liquor. The thing is, I usually try to avoid talking about drinking like it's an event. My multi-faceted personality has so much else to offer. Like all of the music featured here. Yeah... booze is more interesting to most people.
I am just tryin ta live.
ANYWAY.
I'm a little tipsy. And so I thought it would be appropriate to make one of these WC Fields mp3s. Talk about drinking-bragging. WC Fields is the predecessor to generations of celebrity drunks - people who make their identity out of a habit that a bajillion other people have just as emphatically.. If that word is appropriate. I meant like.. "severely."

Soooo Mae West comes into play once again - because she shares this record with Fields. They appeared together in "My Little Chickadee," to dubious comedic benefit. Mae seemed very unwilling to accept Fields as a romantic counterpart, first of all. Secondly, the plot is clueless and Mae lacks fodder for her brand of lusty one-liners. Her lack of interest shows. I know about this, because I might just be Mae re-incarnated: Why bother putting effort into this movie if I'm not scoring some mega hot co-star to try and bone?
Yes, exactly. That's what it seems to me like Mae was thinking.
SO. WC Fields. This record. Yeah...

W.C. Fields
The Day I Drank A Glass of Water
W.C. Field & Mae West
(5:52 by the way)





Mae hated Fields' drinking. She was never actually a drinker herself. Didn't touch the stuff. Maybe I'm not her after all.

Labels: comedy, mae west, vaudeville

Posted by: Kara Mae 8/21/2006  (1) comments

Mae West:
A Guy What Takes His Time (1933)
A Guy What Takes His Time (1955)

Here we have two versions of one of my favorite Mae West songs, "A Guy What Takes His Time."
The first version was recorded in 1933, and is available on several of the common Mae West CDs. She sings the song in the movie "She Done Him Wrong," although it is highly cropped due to film censorship. Watching Mae sing these songs in her films is strange... she rolls her eyes and smiles as she purrs "ooooh," and it sounds really weird.
The second version I don't like so much. I found this 1950s Mae West record "The Fabulous Mae West," which features a few of her hits re-recorded, as well as some new-ish songs. The production just doesn't suit her. Her songs are better when presented more simply... one would imagine them being performed in a sleazy saloon or nightclub. Singing with a big full band doesn't have the same effect. In the 1930s version of "A Guy What Takes His Time," the character singing is Lady Lou (aka Diamond Lil.) In the 1950s version, the character singing is Mae West. By the time she recorded it she was already pushing 60 years of age.



Pick up Mae West "I'm No Angel," from the amazing Venerable Music site, to hear this and some other great Mae songs.

Also, check out the Mae West blog, which is basically my favorite blog ever.

Labels: cinema, comedy, glamorous, jazz era, mae west

Posted by: Kara Mae 2/04/2006  (1) comments