 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Jan 29, 2015 - 11:13 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Bob DiMucci
(Member)
|
Described by the New York Times as an "audience-participation movie," 1971's COME TO YOUR SENSES followed the participants in a five-day workshop at the real-life Esalen Institute. Located in Big Sur, CA, the non-profit organization was established in 1962 as a communal retreat and educational center focusing on meditation, spirituality, art, and other mind and body alternative workshops. During long periods of blank film in the 90-minute movie, only Institute Director Bernie Gunther's voice-over narration is heard, as the viewers were led through the meditative process. The singing of Rod McKuen is heard in voice-over throughout the film. How did McKuen get this gig? The film's executive producer was Lee Mendelson, the producer of A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN.
Produced by Cinema Center Films, and released by National General Pictures, COME TO YOUR SENSES saw little distribution outside of festivals and museums. Eventually, it played in Los Angeles for one day on 2 May 1976. No complete print of the film is known to exist.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sad. Another popular figure gone, like Joe Franklin days ago. I keep having this absurd naivete that my entertainers are never going to go away so I do feel a bit of shock when I shouldn't. This darn cold weather flashes me back to winters ago when Richard Rodney Bennett and John Barry passed.
My very few favorite works of McKuen's were from decades ago. Subsequently it was hard to keep up with the rest of his huge output as my music artists expanded. But (to me) these albums especially were most listenable when indulging in some sort of an occasional introspective or sentimental mood. And accordingly, at this writing I am listening to some of it.
Frank Sinatra's A MAN ALONE album with Don Costa's great string arrangements. Engaging to the end, my highlights: “I've Been To Town,” “The Beautiful Strangers,” and “Empty Is.”
My two favorite albums of McKuen's poetry are backed by Anita Kerr's San Sabastian Strings: 1) THE SEA narrated by Jesse Pearson (trivia note: he was the ultra hip “Birdie Conrad” character in the 'Bye, Bye, Birdie' film.) Pearson's masculine voice flowed warmly through the words (corny as they may be to some) with unflappable sincerity. Kerr's arrangement for the track: “The Storm” (it's on You Tube) sounds like a Spaghetti Western gunfight duel finale. 2) THE EARTH with McKuen's own raspy voice giving the album - yes, an “earthy” quality. But I would love to hear a compilation of all of Kerr's music alone minus the words.
My favorite album featuring Rod's singing voice is THROUGH EUROPEAN WINDOWS. Other favorite select songs (sung by McKuen) are “I'll Catch The Sun,” “Where Would I Be?,” “The Ever Constant Sea,” and “Jean” (but prefer Oliver's version.)
Rod, thanks for the music and words.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I will always remember a day in the Summer of '76 when I found two soundtracks that excited me more than anything I'd bought to that point - Goldsmith's The Omen and McKuen's great score plus songs for The Hallmark Hall of Fame's production of The Borrowers with Eddie Albert and Tammy Grimes.
Weird combination, but I had a lot of fun that day. Thanks, Rod.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I shared a lovely thirty minute train ride with Rod back in late seventies going from Philadelphia to Baltimore to visit friends. I had purchased my train tickets at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, and noticed a gentleman sitting alone on a bench. He had a somewhat unkempt beard, and was wearing an old sweater and well worn sneakers. I walked over to him, and asked "Are You Rod Mckuen?" If he wanted to remain anonymous, he did an excellent job for I was the only one in the capacity filled, Christmas time waiting station who had any clue who he was. He was heading to Washington, but he invited me to join him in the "guest" section of the train. I literally sat on the floor at his feet, while he regaled me with stories of Miklos Rozsa and the Warner Bros. "Spellbound" album conducted by Ray Heindorf that he reissued many years later on his own Stanyon label. He also adored Frank Sinatra, as do I, and spoke joyfully of their sublime collaboration on Frank's "A Man Alone" recording. My recollection of Rod is that he was a very kind, humble, and gentle soul. When my own departure at Penn Station in Baltimore grew imminent, I shook his hand and thanked him sincerely for his generosity in spending so much time alone with me in our own semi-private Amtrak car. He was enormously gifted, and a genuinely nice man. He'll be missed.
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you for sharing your meeting with Mr. McKuen. Like many others of my generation, I had a bunch of Mr. McKuen's lps and 45s. Some were of him singing -- and others were spoken-word or his collaborations with Anita Kerr and the San Sebastian Strings. As a teenager, during blizzard days in my Midwestern hometown, I liked lounging in my bedroom with "The Sea" playing in the background while I dreamed of warmer climes. I always found that I liked his later vocals which were earthier, darker, a bit husky/croaky, much more than his earlier recordings when his voice was pitch perfect.
My favorite recordings, though, are his several collaborations with Rock Hudson who sang many of his songs solo. They had a vocal duet, however, that charted in 1970. It was a 45 rpm called "Wings - Why Do They Want Us To Walk" with a flip side of "Love of the Common People". It was such a laid back, kind of wonky recording, that it always made me feel glad to be alive for some weird reason.
My condolences to Mr. McKuen's family and friends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Jan 30, 2015 - 11:46 AM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Ado
(Member)
|
I shared a lovely thirty minute train ride with Rod back in late seventies going from Philadelphia to Baltimore to visit friends. I had purchased my train tickets at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, and noticed a gentleman sitting alone on a bench. He had a somewhat unkempt beard, and was wearing an old sweater and well worn sneakers. I walked over to him, and asked "Are You Rod Mckuen?" If he wanted to remain anonymous, he did an excellent job for I was the only one in the capacity filled, Christmas time waiting station who had any clue who he was. He was heading to Washington, but he invited me to join him in the "guest" section of the train. I literally sat on the floor at his feet, while he regaled me with stories of Miklos Rozsa and the Warner Bros. "Spellbound" album conducted by Ray Heindorf that he reissued many years later on his own Stanyon label. He also adored Frank Sinatra, as do I, and spoke joyfully of their sublime collaboration on Frank's "A Man Alone" recording. My recollection of Rod is that he was a very kind, humble, and gentle soul. When my own departure at Penn Station in Baltimore grew imminent, I shook his hand and thanked him sincerely for his generosity in spending so much time alone with me in our own semi-private Amtrak car. He was enormously gifted, and a genuinely nice man. He'll be missed.
Steve
Wow, what a terrific and special story for us.
Just great - thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Jan 30, 2015 - 11:54 AM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Ralph
(Member)
|
I shared a lovely thirty minute train ride with Rod back in late seventies going from Philadelphia to Baltimore to visit friends. I had purchased my train tickets at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, and noticed a gentleman sitting alone on a bench. He had a somewhat unkempt beard, and was wearing an old sweater and well worn sneakers. I walked over to him, and asked "Are You Rod Mckuen?" If he wanted to remain anonymous, he did an excellent job for I was the only one in the capacity filled, Christmas time waiting station who had any clue who he was. He was heading to Washington, but he invited me to join him in the "guest" section of the train. I literally sat on the floor at his feet, while he regaled me with stories of Miklos Rozsa and the Warner Bros. "Spellbound" album conducted by Ray Heindorf that he reissued many years later on his own Stanyon label. He also adored Frank Sinatra, as do I, and spoke joyfully of their sublime collaboration on Frank's "A Man Alone" recording. My recollection of Rod is that he was a very kind, humble, and gentle soul. When my own departure at Penn Station in Baltimore grew imminent, I shook his hand and thanked him sincerely for his generosity in spending so much time alone with me in our own semi-private Amtrak car. He was enormously gifted, and a genuinely nice man. He'll be missed.
Steve
Along with John and Ado, thank you for a beautiful remembrance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I too would like to thank, Steve for sharing his wonderful anecdode about Rod McKeun. A genuinely sad day. So many great songs. A great talent. May he Rest In Peace
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That's an excellent picture of Rod with Vic Flick, Geoff. Do you know where and when.
Thanks for sharing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
