Songs of Flanders and Swann

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Joe_F
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 11:36 PM

There used to be a group called The Limeliters who burned their way into my memory by managing to perform "Madeira, m'dear" in such a way that it was *not funny*.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 10:58 PM

There was a singer from Chicago who used to do 'Have Some Madeira M'dear' w/o music because he couldn't figure out the chords. Would just recite the lyrics. He was a good actor/comedian and did it as a character piece. His name was/is Marty Peifer. It used to air from time to time on WFMT's The Midnight Special and for all I know they still may be playing it. He, also had a raucous version of 'Come A Little Bit Closer' which always brought down the house.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 09:52 PM

Yes -- wonderful stuff. I was going to mention Misalliance also.....these guys were so darn talented.....

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Susan A-R
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 07:55 PM

Then there's the Second Law of Thermal Dynamics ... "that's entropy man."   I did finally spring for the book!! I think it went with my Ex when I asked him to move out, but we are on reasonable enough terms that I could borrow if need be.   

Wonderful Stuff

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 04:18 PM

Yes, Misalliance is great but I also like, she made up her mind and a dash for the door.....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 04:14 PM

It's the verbal athletics in 'Have some madeira' that I like... 'she lowered her standards by raising her glass, her courage, her eyes and his hopes...' Lovely!

Even better though, is 'Misalliance'...

LTS

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,cliff
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 11:53 AM

Look here for a decent used copy at about US$25:
http://used.addall.com/ Type the title into their "Out of Print" section and several will come up.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 10:52 PM

Looking through all these great posts and links, I am reminded that 'The Reluctant Cannibal' was always one of my favorites......

I won't eat people
I won't eat people
Eatin' people is wrong.....

If the Jujube had meant us not to eat people
He wouldn't have made them of MEAT!

Greenfleeves - a Fong - also holds great memories (Who are you? - We are Henry VIII,we are......')

But what I am find amazing is that I remember learning the words of The Hippopotamus while I was in primary school ... I remember the location and I can't have been more than 10 -- that is (oh dear...) 47 years ago and the song was that well known then that we sang it in school.........

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Joe_F
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 10:08 PM

I am also fond of The Armadillo (with the delicious lines "This, abandoned on maneuvers, is the object of your love" and "Vive l'amour, vive l'armadillo") and The Sloth.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 08:36 PM

A whole heap of animal songs can be found on 'The Bestiary of Flanders and Swann', which is a much underrated LP. It's also available on CD and as a box set of 3 with the two 'Hat' LPs. I have a selection on my MP3 which amuses me no end at work.

LTS

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 05:34 PM

Ralphie - hard to believe that Flat Earth was recorded 5 years ago!

I was invited (and went) to the live show of "At the drop of another hat" for my friend's birthday, but of course I was much too young to appreciate how brilliant the material was.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 09:40 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4dId4oNUxg&mode=related&search=

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 09:33 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afdsL23fa5s

&


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

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Mike Miller
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 02:23 AM

As a long time fan, I would vote for The Hippopotomous Song as their best lyric. It is the ultimate singalong.
I, also, loved their "Greenfleeves, a Fong".

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: BK Lick
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 12:53 AM

Flanders & Swann Online

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 10:37 PM

Agreed on the words to 'Madeira....'.

We have an LP of song from Lord of the Rings that Donald Swann wrote the music too......just gorgeous. I was disappointed none of this music made the film versions.......

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:16 PM

Note to self.....Type something before posting!!
If anyone can still get a copy, my group, Patterson,Jordan,Dipper recorded Slow Train on our first CD back in 2002.(With string quartet featuring our very own Anahata)
Slight aside, Michael Flanders was "Fag" (Public school slang for slave") to James Pattersons Father..!!
How weird is that!
Notwithstanding, Brilliant composers and quintessentially English.
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:10 PM

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: GUEST,Stephanie
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 06:54 PM

Okay, here it is eight years later and this music still lives on! Our vocal group, Collage, does The Gasman Cometh and The Hippopotamus - the latter to great audience participation, of course! These two always bring down the house. I'd love to tackle Misalliance sometime soon...

A few years ago we also had "A Transport Of Delight" in our repertoire - the tribute to the London Transport diesel-engine 97-horsepower omnibus.

I'm blessed with being able to play by ear so I have managed the accompaniment fairly well without benefit of sheet music.

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Susan A-R
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 10:34 PM

John, I've heard about the song about the Ostrich (Peek A-Boo, can't see you, everything must be grand . . . " That one would be lovely. I'm assuming that our friend the Hippapotomus is a MUST.

(my spelling is interesting. . . ah well) Susan

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 10:24 PM

I'll put together whatever anyone requests. The transcriptions of Flander's piano score seems to quite complete, and would certainly save a lot of work. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Susan A-R
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 10:09 PM

Yes! We've put together I'm a Gnu,, The Gasman Cometh, Thermodynamics, and Ill Wind through some very painful transcribing, and it would be nice to see what else has been done.

Susan

Subject: RE: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 09:59 PM

PLEASE DO! I (and others) would be very grateful. I have my own version of the Mozart Horn Concerto (which they call 'ill wind") and would like to hear Flanders' original lyrics. And all the others. Thanks in advance

Subject: Songs of Flanders and Swann
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 08:23 PM

Over the last couple of years there have been a few threads about songs from these English performers, and there are a couple of songs in the DT (without tunes as I recall).

I've just managed to borrow THE book of their music 'The Songs of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann' St Martin's Press, New York, 1977, Library of Congress 77-82055.

Their better known songs include 'Have Some Madeira M'Dear', 'The Gasman Cometh' plus sundry songs about animals which I don't know - Armadillo, Elephant, Gnu, Hippopotamus.... Let me know if anyone would like to submit the notation to the Forum and I will scan them for those interested.

(As an aside the lyrics from Michael Flanders in 'Have Some Madeira' are in my opinion some of the cleverest writing in the English language that I've ever seen).

Regards, John