‘The Shepherdess’…
... on the erhuNow, the erhu – which is Chinese Mandarin for “two string” – ‘er’ = two; ‘hu’ = string – makes beautiful music in its own cultural setting. But does not translate well into western music.
Here is is, same artist, same instrument, only now it is being used to play Paul Anka’s "My Way"
This may be an unfair comparison of course, because "My Way" is a truly awful song to begin with, one that makes a stupid and pretentious boast to a tuneless non-melody.
Some say Frank Sinatra singing "Mairzy Dotes" in his bottom rung moment in the late ‘40s, early ‘50s was the worst song of all time to make the popular chart.
Since Sinatra has refused to have the song ever played again in his presence or any place else he could control, there is no sample of what it sounded like when he chanted it. (I heard a copy long ago.)
But Pamela Holt gives us an example of how bad it sounded. She is even costumed for the period.
In any event, and in my opinion "My Way" – even as Sinatra sang it – tops it for terrible.
I mean, "exemption?" Come on. That word belongs in small print at the bottom of the back page of a federal government form, not in a song.
Oh, by the way, both songs were immensely popular in their times and both made the charts, which tells you all you need to know about the poor taste of the American public.
posted by Tom Nadeau at 7:37 AM
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