Wednesday, September 16, 2009

It's Multi-Media Wednesday! Put On Your Fantasy Hat!

Today I've got some goodies for you to watch ... I save video clips and slide shows of things I find either interesting or deliciously fun and entertaining. Usually my posts get so long that I can't ask people to read everything, look at all the photos, AND watch video. So, I've saved this post for some of my favorites!

On MMCA - Mixed Media Collage Artists - there is a different featured artist every month. This month we are featuring Claudia Roulier. I'm just fascinated with her work ... especially that evocative black bird assemblage! Enjoy the slide show - and if you would like to see more, and to read her artist statement, you will find her very spiffy website here and her blog by clicking here.

Host unlimited photos at slide.com for FREE!




For those of us "of a certain age," Nina Hagen is an icon from our wild and crazy youth. Nina was an East German singer who was granted permission to leave the country because she - and her music - as well as her parents were very well-known East German critics. She became a pop singer early in her career, but went on to form several punk rock bands, and then came full circle.

This is a clip of Nina's outrageous, irreverant, and completely captivating version of Over the Rainbow, as sung at a Swedish pop concert in 1985. What a performer.



After hearing that, I"m sure you'll be as surprised as I was to find out that in her childhood in East Berlin, Ms. Hagen was considered an operatic child prodigy. And that her study of opera has never stopped! Here is her rendition of the famous Habanera from Carmen. It's difficult to believe that it's the same singer, isn't it! This clip is from a classical music concert in Tokyo.





I know I tend to go on and on about my love of all things French. But, just look at these exquisite antique copies of French translations of English books. Don't you think the bindings and illustrations are just beautiful?!



If you're a fan of Broadway songs, you are probably already familiar with YouTube favorite MissBroadwayDork. This young woman has been entertaining us for years on YouTube with her buttery smooth renditions of Broadway hits and misses. This particular song does sound like many of her other entries. I loved what she wrote about recording it: If the thought of a fat girl singing a sexual song disgusts you, don't watch?
It was another one of those I couldn't sleep so I'll sing a song about orgasming nights. I'll probably regret putting this up in the morning but it's all systems go right now. A re-do of one of the earlier songs I put up on youtube. I didn't realize the audio on my new camera was so poor compared to my old one so sorry about that. Next time I'll use the mic. Enjoy the outtake at the end. Beware the spit.

Anyway I can't wait for the movie.
If you enjoy it and would like to hear her sing some of the most lyrical Broadway songs ever, just do a YouTube search for MissBroadwayDork. Frankly, why Susan Boyle is an international hit and this talented and charming lady is completely unknown (outside of her YouTube fans) is beyond me.



Okay, put on your fantasy cap AND your enchantment glasses!

Made in 1898, G.A. Smith's 'Santa Claus' is a film of considerable technical ambition and accomplishment for its period. It uses pioneering visual effects in its depiction of a visit from St. Nicholas.

A former magic lanternist and hypnotist, Smith was one of the first British film-makers to make extensive use of special effects to create fantastical scenes. It comes as little surprise that Smith corresponded with the French pioneer Georges Méliès at about this time, as the two men shared a common goal in terms of creating an authentic cinema of illusion.



Imagine! 1898!! Fantastic!

As long as we're taking a stroll through the imagination of the past...can you imagine a song today about "Sweet Marijuana" being used in a main stream film?! Although the song is sung by the throaty-voiced Gertrude Michael, my favorite moment comes at 0:23 with the giggle by the blonde cutie. This is the fabulous Toby Wing (a starlet who was a cross between Mae West and Jean Harlow), a featured players in many films with her own star on the Walk of Fame, and all but forgotten today. This is from the movie, "Murder at the Vanities." If this song was in a popular main stream movie today, there would be an outcry of the destruction of Western civilization! I guess they had more of a sense of humor in 1934.


Is there any fantasy as fun and provocative as the Fantasy Woman? Here are two fantasy women who can sing, dance, and look damn fine doing it! Why? Because they're both women.



Of course, if Raquel and Cher weren't your style, you could always just switch the channel ... because on another network we had ...


Well, enough fantasies from the far and recent past. I'm going to leave you with two fantasies to look forward to! I can't wait for either of them!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_5_lzags3I

By the way, this is the new film which includes the song MissBroadwayDork sings above!
(I find it very disconcerting when YouTube cancels imbedding on a video and you have to post a link instead. Disconcerting? Nah. Infuriating! LOL But it's worth the click!)

Now that you've had your fantasy hats on, and hopefully you've been inspired by art, music, video and film, put on your creative hats and go make something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

25 comments:

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

OMG!!! NINA HAGEN!
We have her albums and I am not sure on CD's......Gary is such an avid collector of the odd and bizarre and punk/new wave/no wave/wierd, I'm amazed to find someone else who knows her.
How about Klaus Nomi?
Gotta run--long day ahead!!!!


XXXOOO!!!
Anne

mo.stoneskin said...

What do you mean 'put on' my fantasy hat? I never take mine off, even at night or when I'm in the shower.

Love the book illustrations. For me a lovely cover means I buy the book, simple as that.

Anonymous said...

O.K. I will confess... I never heard of Nina Hagen. I was a child of the 50's & 60's.
Loved the Santa video... amazing considering it was 1898. My grandmother was born in 1898...
I guess it is all perspective!!
Love,
Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...Tristan... what a lot of treats here!...I have a question that will probably make me look ridiculous....But, here goes!...
How do i turn off your music here..so that it is not double playing with the video music?
Otherwise, I'm looking forward to these wild videos! lol!
thanks, gypsy

Anonymous said...

ooops..Got it working right, Tristan!... must have been a glitch... Loved the Fantasy women!... great stuff here! lol!
thanks for the feast! gypsy

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Wow - your blog is filled with so many wondrous things today! Nina Hagen!!! I love her to pieces. She definitely marches to the beat of her own drummer. LOVED these videos. As for magic lantern, it really is magic, isn't it? I interviewed (back in my journalism days) a gentleman awhile back who specializes in producing magic lantern films. I'll have to pull that article out and make it available online. And much thanks for putting that lovely "Alice in Wonderland" trailer up...why oh why must we wait for this film!!!!! Theresa

Light and Shadow Studio said...

Oh Tristan your blog truly is enchanting! I was blown away by Nina Hagen. What an amazing voice and such range. I loved both video's. I am not a big opera fan but I do love Carmen. In another life, I wish I could sing! Thank you for sharing her music with me. The sweet marijuana song was riot! What a beautiful production though. I love the shadows behind the band. I adore those old musical movies. They are almost better now than then. You got me on the disco freak out. Weren't those the worst costumes ever? Now Cher and Raquel those are women! The Alice in wonderland movie just looks fantastic, I can't believe we have to wait until March. Aggghhh Hey Tristan thank you for taking the time to come visit my blog. I am always so thrilled to hear what you think. Big hug, Tammy

Leslie said...

I don't know where to begin. WOW!

Chris said...

Love Nina Hagen. I haven't listened to her in years!!

Paula said...

Thanks for the entertainment!!!

Michele Lynch Art said...

What a fantastic post!! Loved the artist! Lots of eye candy! Then Nina's Over the Rainbow was totally as you put it captivating! That was the best description. and THEN Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland with the yummy little treat Johnny Depp!! Couldn't think of a better end to the post myself! xo Michele

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

OMG You are soooooo good. Where do you find these gems of art and fantasy? I WANT THOSE FRENCH BOOKS! Oh Tristan dahling, you always have something for everybody. Have an awesome week. Anita

Valarie said...

Hi Tristan....thank you for stopping by my blog. I love reading your comments. Your blog always brings a smile to my face. I used Snow Writer by Decoart to make those silly icicles on my houses. I found the pink mica on ebay. I hope you have a lovely day.
xxoo Valarie

Valarie said...

Hey Tristan....I forgot to tell you that I am mailing your package this week. Life has been crazy, and it has been sitting on my craft table for 2 weeks.....see what you get for winning something from me?
xxoo Valarie

The Joy of Nesting said...

OMG,

I was really on the mend even worked at the sewing machine for awhile. Thank God I didn't let you suck me into the insanity of watching Little Miss Dorky Do!! That has relapse writen all over it!! :)

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is such an amazing post. I am so glad I decided to read just one more blog before bed. I smiled through the whole thing. I am going to read/watch it again tomorrow when I am actually fully awake.
Regards

Jennifer Swan Hopkins said...

Oh Tristan - I am so glad I came by. What a wonderful journey that was - transported indeed. Such interesting and diverse offerings. Thank you for compiling and presenting it.

I've come to the conclusion that some people are just made to blog and you're one of them. How do you do it? I need this gift of imparting, too. Of course it must have to to with your many interests, but it's also your method...

I posted some new tapestries that I finished/am working on. Please come visit me and while you're at it, strike me with your 'interesting' wand darling, please?

xJ

Flapper Flickers + Silent Stanzas said...

Awesome blog! But a little correction: the starlet you speak of is Toby Wing, not West. She was (and still is) considered the most famous chorus girl of all time. *laughs* Isn't she gorgeous?

Jennifer of Silent Stanzas
http://silentstanzas.blogspot.com

Gabriela said...

Hello Mr. Tristan,


How fun! I had a blast!


~ Gabriela ~

Shell said...

What a beautiful and music filled post. Thank you. MissBroadwayDork is wonderful. Seriously, she needs to be on stage now. I subscribed to her channel.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is so entertaining and whimsical, thank you for making me smile. After my grandma's death it's been kind of hard to do that :(

Anonymous said...

like like like like like like like '


WHO?

A Swedish lady, Agneta

a fanciful twist said...

Mister Fabuloso,

you took my mind of everything, and sent me on a fabulous trip onto video lane!!!!

These women singers, MY GOODNESSSS!! Unreal...

Thank you for the trip - off to watch the Alice trailer again ;)

Love, V

William Bezek said...

Hi Tristan, Thanks for taking the time to write an email...I am not sure why you can't comment on my blog? I have not seen one of these damnable drop down menus before that you speak of. I have been soooo busy in the studio that I will have to get back to all these wonderful clips you have assembled with a bucket of popcorn! That santa movie looks tres interesting.

peggy gatto said...

Well, how did I miss this post until now??????
Toby has a new fan!!!!!
Thanks for the fun, the memories and educational videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!