He says "We are living in a new era, one of complete connectivity, where screen space has become seemingly equal to the physical landscape. ”What does it mean to be an individual now? And where are we going? I’m very interested in those kinds of core issues,” says artist Doug Aitken. Opening in September 17 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Helsinki, the exhibition presents several works, including the iconic installation Song 1. I Only Have Eyes for You is the acclaimed artist’s first solo exhibition in Finland. The Las Vegas-style arrangement of the 1959 hit "I Only Have Eyes for You" survives because of Mathis' voice and style, but it is the new song he discovered here that brings magic to this collection.American artist Doug Aitken explores the impacts of technology on individuals and society. "Ooh What We Do" might've fared better had it been the title track rather than the up-tempo, almost disco version of the Flamingos' signature tune. Still, the artist got more coverage when he hit number one again with "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" two years after this, 21 years after "Chances Are" first accomplished that feat. Billy Sherrill and Charlie Rich's "Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High)" has a dazzling arrangement, and moments like this make the covers worthwhile. "Ooh What We Do" is an exciting departure from the predictability of Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns," though Mathis just does everything so well, and there is safety in numbers. But what the song does uncover is the idea that Mathis could have gotten away with putting a few more top-flight songs on his albums in the '70s. What they didn't take out is a line "both of us slowly stalking each other for so long," which seemed so innocent in 1976. That's my little story about 'Ooh What We Do.' At the end when I have 'hari krishna, amen.,' at one point I had 'oy vey,' but they took that out." When people would show him songs or acts and he didn't like them, they would occasionally say, 'I'm going to have to go over your head to Clive with this,' to which he would reply, 'Over my head and around my back.the two most traveled paths in America.' I loved him. This was about 1972.so Jack was very familiar with my work even before 'Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady.' He was a very witty, eloquent man - Jack Gold. When the payola scandal hit, a lot of artists got dropped. He had signed me to Columbia before I went to 20th Century Fox, a little-known fact. 'I drink up your liquid movements like I'm dying of thirst.I could watch you stand forever, but come on over here first.how could we be so together when we're so unrehearsed.' Anyway, Jack Gold of Columbia Records produced it. He had been an idol of mine when I was a child. He was reading the lyric to a friend who was in there with him. I taught it to Johnny in the studio and he really liked it. Schock gave AMG some insight on how the song came to be: "It was not on any of my albums. "Ooh What We Do" is a special moment where Mathis is breathing life into a title untouched by his contemporaries. The real nugget here, though, is a song written by Harriet Schock specifically for Mathis, a tune not on any of her own albums. Likewise, "Laughter in the Rain" graced the previous disc, while a wondrous reading of Neil Sedaka's "The Hungry Years" emerges this time around. Where "Mandy" led off the When Will I See You Again LP, it's "I Write the Songs" here, and though he doesn't write them, it's a nice swim through Bruce Johnston's greatest hit. A movie theme and adult contemporary reworkings continue the song selection from the year before. It's right back to that familiar and successful groove on I Only Have Eyes for You, with Gene Page arranging and conducting Gold's production work. In 1976, the Johnny Mathis/ Jack Gold singer/producer team reunited after 1975's stint with producer John Florez for the When Will I See You Again album.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |