{"id":7763,"date":"2010-06-28T04:00:20","date_gmt":"2010-06-28T08:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/\/wp\/?p=7763"},"modified":"2011-11-06T21:46:39","modified_gmt":"2011-11-07T02:46:39","slug":"to-be-perfectly-frank-the-loesser-centennial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/?p=7763","title":{"rendered":"To Be Perfectly Frank: 100 Years of Frank Loesser"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Tomorrow will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of American composer and lyricist Frank Loesser.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Loesser was born on June 29, 1910, in New York City and died in 1969. He wrote or co-wrote some of our most singable songs\u2014\u201cOn a Slow Boat to China,\u201d \u201cHeart and Soul,\u201d \u201cLuck Be a Lady Tonight,\u201d \u201cTwo Sleepy People,\u201d \u201cPraise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition,\u201d and about 700 others.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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I\u2019ve read a fair amount about Loesser, but I feel as though I don\u2019t really know him. In books he comes across as contradictory. He rejected his family\u2019s love of classical music yet longed to write an American opera. He was moody and quick to anger yet nurturing of his peers. He worked far too many hours yet loved parties.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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The man I can\u2019t quite find in print comes across in his music as brilliant, playful, and intuitive. He knew how to structure a\u00a0musical number\u00a0so that it was easy to sing yet constantly surprising. And he knew how to reveal character through song.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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His Guys and Dolls<\/em>, to me the quintessential Broadway musical, illustrates this attention to character. Nathan Detroit\u2019s passive yet sincere love for his longtime fianc\u00e9e shines through \u201cSue Me.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Sky Masterson shares his love of the city and his secret longing for connection to others in \u201cMy Time of Day.\u201d Shy-no-more heroine Sarah lets her wild side peal in \u201cIf I Were a Bell.\u201d And Miss Adelaide\u2019s language and lifelong dilemma are defined in \u201cAdelaide\u2019s Lament.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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The lament exemplifies one of Loesser\u2019s other strengths\u2014his ability to translate colloquial conversation into music and lyrics. Miss Adelaide\u2019s voice goes up (as mine certainly would!) whenever she gets particularly agitated contemplating her perpetually ALMOST married state:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n

When they get on the train for NIAG\u2019RA
\nShe can hear CHURCH bells CHIME.
\nThe COMPARTMENT is AIR CONDITIONED
\nAnd the MOOD sublime.
\nThen they GET OFF at SARATOGA
\nFor the FOURTEENTH TIME!!!
\n<\/strong>A person can develop la grippe\u2026.<\/em><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I look forward to learning more about Loesser tomorrow evening as I remain glued to the TV (well, actually, I\u2019ll probably save some of the material for later viewing via TiVo) watching Turner Classic Movies\u2019 salute to Loesser<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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The lineup will include How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying<\/em> (1967; star Robert Morse will co-host the TCM evening!), the 2006 documentary Heart & Soul: The Music of Frank Loesser<\/em>, and several other films.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Although there are several gems to choose from I wish one of the films were<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Hollywood Canteen <\/em>(1944), which features Bette Davis singing (!) the first Loesser song I ever performed, \u201cThey\u2019re Either Too Young or Too Old.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
I couldn\u2019t dream of emulating La Bette\u2019s perfect diction. On the other hand, I can of course sing rings around her.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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I\u2019ll also learn about Loesser as I rehearse for\u2014you guessed it\u2014MY OWN LOESSER CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE WITH ALICE PARKER!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n

This will take place on Saturday, August 21, at the Green Emporium<\/a>\u00a0in Colrain, Massachusetts. (See fabulous poster below.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Alice and I are still planning the program so if readers have a favorite Loesser song they should suggest it now!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Meanwhile, in tribute to tomorrow\u2019s anniversary here is a special seasonal cocktail. It\u2019s appropriate for two reasons. First, it was invented by my friend Michael Collins, the chef at the Green Emporium.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Second, I MUST have something to hold in my hand when Donald Freeman and I perform \u201cBaby, It\u2019s Cold Outside,\u201d another song that shows off Loesser\u2019s way of turning conversation into song.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cBaby\u201d is one of Loesser\u2019s famous overlapping songs, in which characters (in this case \u201cThe Wolf\u201d and \u201cThe Mouse\u201d) sing complementary music and lyrics over each other.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
According to Loesser\u2019s daughter Susan, the composer and his first wife Lynn Garland Loesser performed this song privately many times. She quotes her mother as saying:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n

We got invited to all the best parties for years on the basis of \u201cBaby.\u201d It was our ticket to caviar and truffles. Parties were built around our being the closing act.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

(Time Life)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Eventually, Loesser sold the song to MGM to be sung by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban in the 1948 film Neptune\u2019s Daughter<\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Lynn Loesser was deeply saddened, but \u201cBaby\u201d won her husband his only Academy Award for best song. (As time went by he managed to scoop up a couple of Tonys and a Pulitzer as well.)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
On August 21 as Don (doing his best Ricardo Montalban impression) finishes the line, \u201cBeautiful, please don\u2019t hurry,\u201d I\u2019ll pop in with,<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cWell, maybe just a half a drink more\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Let\u2019s all raise our glasses to an American original!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cBaby, It\u2019s NOT Cold Outside\u201d Strawberry Rhubarb Daiquiri<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Chef Michael Collins informs me that he was inspired to create this cocktail by my late neighbor Florette<\/a>, who made a mean rhubarb tea.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
I have tried it three ways\u2014with rum (as described below) at his restaurant, with a little Grand Marnier at home when I couldn\u2019t find rum, and in \u201cvirgin\u201d form with a little pink lemonade for my young friend Audrey. I like it all three ways.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Ingredients:<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
for the base:<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
6 cups water
\n1 cup sugar
\n2 cups chopped rhubarb
\n2 cups strawberries, cut in half
\n1\/2 lime
\n1 tablespoon grenadine (optional\u2013for color; I found with really fresh fruit I didn\u2019t necessarily need it)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
for the cocktail:<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
1 cup cocktail base (see above)
\n2 ounces white rum
\nlime juice as needed for rimming
\nsugar as needed for rimming<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Instructions:<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Bring the water to a boil. Add the sugar and stir. When the sugar has dissolved add the fruit.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Reduce the heat to very low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, until the fruit breaks down. Toward the end of this process add the grenadine if you are using it.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Allow the mixture to cool. Remove the half lime (DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP!), and place the liquid in a blender in batches. Blend it; then strain it, first\u00a0through a strainer (don\u2019t try to push the fuzz down through the holes) and then through cheesecloth.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Place it in a jar and keep it refrigerated until it is needed.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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To make a cocktail (or two): Place the rum in a cocktail shaker, and add ice. Pour in the cup of cocktail base. Shake.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Pour a little lime juice around the rim of 1 large or 2 small glass(es), and dip it\/them in sugar so that the sugar coats the rim(s). Strain the drink into the glass(es).<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n

The drink recipe serves 1 to 2. The base makes about 6 cups.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Audrey drank this cocktail with pink lemonade instead of rum.<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

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Subscribe to In Our Grandmothers’ Kitchens by Email<\/span><\/em><\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 Tomorrow will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of American composer and lyricist Frank Loesser. \u00a0 Loesser was born on June 29, 1910, in New York City and died in 1969. He wrote or co-wrote some of our most singable songs\u2014\u201cOn a Slow Boat to China,\u201d \u201cHeart and Soul,\u201d \u201cLuck Be a Lady […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[433,23,35,579],"tags":[60,1245,1250,1244,1246,193,278,1247,1248,1249],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7763"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7763"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7763\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7791,"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7763\/revisions\/7791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourgrandmotherskitchens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}