Singin' them straight to the heart songs

Our glorious Ipomoea lobata ("Spanish Flag") is at its peak.

The weekend draws ever closer, and the forecasters think it may be warm one - all the more excuse to sit with a glass or several of something refreshing in the extensive gardens here at Dolores Delargo Towers!

As we look forward to it, our party mood is helped all the more by two important celebrations.

Today is the centenary of the legendary Mr Alan Jay Lerner - the man who, with Frederick Loewe created the classic Broadway musicals My Fair Lady, Gigi, Brigadoon, Camelot and Paint Your Wagon (all of which also became classic movies)...

...and tomorrow, the last surviving BeeGee Sir Barry Gibb blows out 72 candles on his cake!

Neatly combining tributes to both men in one, how about Sir Barry's lovely song that pays tribute to the natural "home" of Mr Lerner's works?

Miss Candi Staton's version, of course. Thank Disco It's Friday!

Candi Staton - Nights on Broadway

Here we are in a room full of strangers
I'm standing in the dark
Where your eyes couldn't see me

Well, I have to follow you
Though you did not want me to
But that won't stop my lovin' you
I just can't stay away

Blaming it all on the nights on Broadway
Singin' them love songs
Singin' them straight to the heart songs

Blamin' it all on the nights on Broadway
Singin' them sweet sounds
To that crazy, crazy town

Now in my place
There are so many others
Standin' in the line
How long will they stand between us?

Well, I have to follow you
Though you didn't want me to
But I just can't stop lovin' you babe
Say, can't stay away

Blaming it all on the nights on Broadway
Singin' them love songs
Singin' them straight to the heart songs

Blamin' it all on the nights on Broadway
Singin' them sweet sounds
To that crazy, crazy town

Have a great weekend, dear reader!

Night and day; there's a burning down inside of me

It was Mr Barry Gibb's 70th birthday yesterday. Among the myriad songs for which he and his late brothers Robin and Maurice were responsible was their 1979 mega-hit Tragedy...

...and that was given a memorable makeover in the 90s by the campest of all "manufactured pop acts" of that era - Steps!

So, get ready to do all the right moves - and Thank Disco It's Friday!

Steps - Tragedy

And in case anyone is in any doubt as to how to do that dance, here are some handy instructions ("step-by-step", geddit?):

	1. Put your hands beside your ears in a "Tragedy" pose. Look shocked!
	2. Raise your right arm.
	3. Raise your left arm to join it!
	4. Clasp both your hands to your heart in a protective manner.
	5. Stretch both arms out in front of you with your palms facing up.
	6. Put your arms up to your head as in Step 1 and take a step to your right.
	7. Repeat the same move to the left, and then repeat both moves again.
	8. Place your right hand on your hip and step to the left, swinging your right arm out.
	9. Repeat the same move to your right.
	10. Hold up your arm as if you're stopping traffic!
	11. Turn to your right and roll your left shoulder three times. That's it!