Pardon my ignorance, but before the musical and the movie “Mamma Mia!” I didn’t know who or what “ABBA” was. Now I know – but, frankly, I don’t really care, although the Swedish pop group has been around for some 30 years. I guess I shouldn’t keep confessing my ignorance and my indifference.
Well, I went to see “Mamma Mia!” the movie, and had a surprising reaction (that is, surprising to me). Some 22 songs, random ABBA songs, come fast and thick. The music of ABBA is absurdly catchy with its tick-tock marimba opening. Its music is over the top, campy, and sincere.
The lavish, big screen movie where people have a compulsive need to sing ABBA songs of all hours of the day and night is a star-studded film. I’m a Meryl Streep fan, and it was interesting to watch her work very hard and pull it off. The basic story concerns a single mom (that’s Ms. Streep), her daughter and three possible dads invited by the daughter to her wedding. There’s a sweet little mother-daughter story nestled inside the score of ABBA tunes. The setting is an idyllic Greek island. (My adult kids especially enjoyed that because they spent their honeymoon on such an idyllic Greek island). The cast of “Mamma Mia!” looks like they had a lot of fun. The only drawback for me was the handsome Pierce Brosnan. It’s nice to look at him, but I don’t think he should warble outside of his stall shower. The movie is deeply silly, but also more than tolerable entertainment. I succumbed to its ditzy glory. “Mamma Mia!” is toe-tapping fun while it lasts and then evaporates as quickly as it comes.
Any member of AARP knows who Danny Stiles is. For some 50 years, the deejay has been spinning oldies, taking his listeners down memory lane, back in time to the era of great American music. An ambassador to the past, the self-proclaimed “vicar of vintage vinyl” has made it a pleasure, enabling us to hear the standard classics of the 20s, 30s and 40s. If you still listen to radio, you can hear Danny Stiles every Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. on WNYC AM – that’s 820 on the dial. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you might be able to catch the “Dean of Déjà Vu” on WNSW 1430 and on WPAT 93 when all the rest of the world is enjoying a night’s rest. But there’s more, “my hearties:” You can see the man himself, in person, every Friday night at Meli Melo, a restaurant at 110 Madison Ave. in NYC. It’s a crowded, typical New York scene. Danny Stiles plays host, dashing around the room trying to greet his “devotees” and managing to give at least a pat on the back to each of his fans. The entertainment is provided by many aspiring, would-be stars who grab the mic from the deejay and belt out a couple of recognizable songs. The “dance floor” barely has room for more than one couple taking baby steps. The food at my table had to be sent back by the “Bayonne Bunny” Josie and Josephine was slightly disgruntled by her half-filled glass of wine, which cost $11. I wasn’t a happy camper because my seat faced the kitchen and the ladies room. The best news is that although I haven’t seen Danny Stiles in many years, he is still recognizable in his 80s – trim, dapper and enjoying his “virtual music museum.”
Unplanned, it just happened this way. On a Wednesday evening, I strolled to the 16th Street Park to hear Summer Sounds by the Bay. The very next afternoon I went to a free afternoon concert at the World Financial Center Winter Garden Plaza. I was lucky at the Summer Sounds in Bayonne, thanks to Angie Cerbone and her Eddie. They showed me where to get a comfortable chair and once settled, we thoroughly enjoyed Larry Chance and the Earls. Their performance included many recognizable hits, songs like “Life Is But a Dream” and “I Believe.” I’m not partial to rock and roll, but because of Larry Chance encouraging audience participation, it was fun, lovely to enjoy a musical event so close to home. That was on a Wednesday. The very next Thursday at the NFC Plaza, I attended another free outdoor concert. This one was a 12:30 p.m. on a humid summer afternoon. The talent noticeably perspired along with the audience. More than once, I found myself wanting to get up and wipe their brows (the musicians, not the audience). Called The Persuasions, the five talented men are carrying the torch for the art form called a cappella. I was told that the group has been singing sans instruments for over four decades. The Persuasions also tried to involve the audience, but they had a hard job because of the heat. I didn’t recognize most of their songs, although their major theme was unrequited love. However, the price was right and I always learn something watching musical groups. In the back of my mind is, “What can I learn and then use with the Bayonne Senior Orchestra?” As we all know, there’s always room for improvement. P.S. – You can catch the last Summer Sounds by the Bay tonight, at 7 p.m. Hope to see you there . P.P.S. – My son, Jim, visiting from Boston, was delighted to attend on a Wednesday evening when one of his favorite mainstream rock groups was appearing, The Smithereens. I had never heard of them, but Jim owns all of their CDs. Guess it underlines a generational gap.
In my first life – or was it my second or third – I was writing about jazz for a monthly magazine. My column, titled “June on Jazz – A View from the Table,” suggested plans to go to hear good music. At that time, my neighbor’s son was dating Mayla Rockefeller (a true Rockefeller, not a phoney). Ms. Rockefeller was planning a graduation party to be held at Pocantico, the Rockefella estate. Its theme was the “Gay 90s” and she was searching for a band to play traditional jazz. I was asked to find the appropriate musicians. It was easy for me to find the right ones. The musicians were excited to play at Pocantico. As a result, I get a reputation for being able to get very desirable gigs, gigs like playing for the Rockefellers. All of this came to my mind recently when I went walking with my astute daughter-in-law, Andrea. Her suggestion was to walk in the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, a haven of open space in Westchester County. It’s an idyllic spot for strolling, jogging, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. As Andrea and I walked, it was a great pleasure to enjoy the grassy, tree-lined stretches and the magnificent view of the Hudson River. We observed beautiful flowers and, I’m told, a large number of bird species (a bird-watcher’s paradise). The Rockefeller State Park Preserve has multi-use trails, originally designed for carriages and equestrians. On our walk, we were joined by many hikers, runners and dog walks. The beauty of the preserve has inspired many artists to memoralize its scenic vistas – all of the above due to the foresight and generosity of the Rockefeller family. The Preserve is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. For contact info, dial (914) 631-1470. P.S. – I was never able to book another Rockefeller-type party!