Gertrude & Alice Recordings

In our queer history it is probably Gertrude Stein and Oscar Wilde who have inspired the most works by others over the years. Shown above and below are two vinyl LPs of readings of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. I do admit it's Alice explaining how to make hashish brownies that draws more attention.

Hear Alice's Recipe for Hashish Brownies

There have been a number of recordings over the years inspired by, or even using, the works of Gertrude Stein, and a small sampling are shown below. I've set up a special page of my site with info, downloads, and much more, including songs by gay & lesbian artists about Gertrude.

Gertrude & Alice Tribute Page

A few of the gay/lesbian artists singing about Gertrude Stein

Billie Lee, 50’s Gay Comedian

Billie Lee has at least two accomplishments, in the 1950’s he opened the first gay bar in Miami, called Billie’s Backroom, at the Mayflower Hotel; and he was a gay comedian and singer in his club and others. His only album was recorded at Billie’s Backroom, with the unmistakably risque title of “A Daisy Chain Ain’t a Piece of Jewelry.”

I’ve set up a page of my site where you can download the entire album and step back in time to sample the humor and flavor of the clubs in those days. He retired in 2000 at age 80.

Billie Lee Tribute Page

Gotham, Gay Cabaret Act

Gotham was a cabaret trio formed in 1973 by Gary Herb, Michael Pace and Jonathan Morrow. David McDaniel replaced Morrow in 1975. The group was known for their comedy as much as their singing, and they became enormously successful in the 70's and 80's. An important aspect of the group was that they did it all as an openly gay act, and accordingly was the first openly gay group to play both the Kennedy Center in Washington DC (1976) and Carnegie Hall in NYC (1978). I was very pleased to have been able to do a comprehensive interview with all three members of the trio.

Gotham Tribute Show

Above, their two LPs and 12"-er, and logo

Above, on cover of The Advocate, 1976 

(Nearly) Naked Musicians

Sometimes when working on my website I get side tracked, like when I put together a large collage of “Naked Musicians.” The first few are shown above, and are all early shots for which the code phrase was “physique” photos. They are not really naked, of course, because in the 1950’s it was illegal to sell magazines with totally nude models.

I set up two pages on photos I collected, and they had to have a musical theme, no matter how contrived. For example, with the one below, a favorite of mine, I wasn’t really concerned if he held that guitar correctly.

Check out Page 1. And on the second page of my display I give a bit of the interesting history of this kind of photography, so don’t miss that, including our own Tab Hunter.

In GLBT Music, the B is Mostly (Lyrically) Silent.

Click to Watch the Video

I really doubt that in 1966 Herman’s Hermits, in their song “This Door Swings Both Ways,” were singing about bisexual love, but it’s fun to imagine it. And for the most part in our history of GLBT music, imagine is what you almost all of the time had to do to find bisexuals represented. A few years ago I did a two-part show on this subject, and I had to really, Really dig to complete those two hours.  Check them out Here. Now, I’m not talking about music by out-of-the-closet bisexuals, that’s not all that tough…I mean songs whose lyrics “go there.”

I’ll get you started. In 1968 Peter Frampton, then in a band called The Herd, sang about “Something Strange,” and the year before Mitch Ryder complained about seeing Sally, his baby, “with another girl” (as she went around those roses). In that case though, the lyrics were originally sung by a girl group, the Jaynetts, in 1963. In the 1970’s rock acts were more blatant, with Sweet and “A.C. – D.C.” and a surprising Australian hit by Supernaut, “I Like It Both Ways.” In 1980 Peter Allen winked at us with “Bicoastal,” and as time went on the bi lyrics came more out of the closet. Living Colour had a song called “Bi” in 1993, and (I know you’ve been waiting) Jill Sobule kissed a girl in 1995. Find a lot more on my site on those shows.

While I think I found good music for my two shows on the subject, I pretty much exhausted this sort-of genre, so I’m pleased to at least mention the only CD compilation I know of where the B was loud and clear. In 2003 Skott Freedman produced an excellent release called “Bi the People,” where while not all of the artists or lyrics were bi, the solidarity was there, and all proceeds went to The Bisexual Foundation, now called The American Institute of Bisexuality. A very talented array of artists contributed, such as Jill Sobule, Melissa Ferrick, Tom Robinson, Pansy Division, Laura Love, Bitch & Animal, Erin Hamilton, and nine others. You, too, can find yourself a copy, Here.

Boot Camp, or Leather Bar: The Musical

While surfing Youtube I ran across an old favorite video and wanted to share it, as I think no one should have missed this one. The caption calls it “Leather Bar: The Musical,” which I like better than its real name, “Boot Camp.” It’s a delightful juxtaposition of ballroom style dancing in a leather bar, and is from 1996. Its stars,  Matthew Solari and John Cantwell dance and sing to “Not While We’re Dancing, Dear.” That starts around the two-minute mark.

View the Video

Some googling found that Matthew Solari more recently was Executive Producer of the gay romantic comedy “eCupid,” from 2011, and sang one of the songs in it. John Cantwell has been more visible, appearing in “Legally Blonde” and a number of other films and TV shows.

And I Am Telling You...Three Times

One of my absolute...do you hear me? ABSOLUTE favorite Broadway songs is "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," as done in showstopping form by Jennifer Holliday, in "Dreamgirls." The song accomplished the unusual recent feat of coming from a Broadway show and crossing over to be a hit by itself. And it has done bunches of good for those who master it. Jennifer Holliday got a Tony award for her role in the show and a Grammy for the recording of the song. Years later Jennifer Hudson stole the movie version, garnering an Oscar for her, and when I saw it in the movie theatre the audience applauded after that song.

So, I was delighted to see Jennifer Holliday perform it as a duet on the American Idol finale show, with soon-to-be runner-up Jessica Sanchez. Yes, Sanchez was fine, but my eyes and ears were glued to Holliday. It was by far the highlight of the whole AI season for me.

But this blog is taking a different twist...and features the song as done by male performers, three of them. Yes, there have been more than 3 guys doing the song, but I'm showcasing the three that stand out for me. And I'll start with the earliest of the three. Billy Porter has had an excellent career, being in a number of Broadway shows, films and has appeared on a number of recordings. And he's amazing. Period. I was so, So pleased when he included a version of "the song" on his 2005 CD "Billy Porter: At the Corner of Broadway + Soul."

Click to hear Billy's version 

Billy's Facebook Page

I first noticed Von Smith when he competed in Season 8 of American Idol, in 2009. He got as far as the Top 36, and it appeared Von was just too over-the-top for Simon. Which I can see, but I loved it. Von's Youtube videos already had gotten the attention of Rosie O'Donnell, then on "The View," and she got him on that show, in early 2007." This video of "And I'm Not Telling You" was captured in 2007.

Click to View Von's Video

Von Smith Facebook Page

And the last artist of this entry debuted on the UK version of "X-Factor," singing Joe Cocker's "With a Little Help from My Friends." It was a stunning performance and Simon said it was the best first audition he had ever seen. He's Danyl Johnson, and later in the competition he wowed on the "Dreamgirls" song, and I still cannot believe he only finished fourth in the season results.

Click to View Danyl's Video

Danyl Johnson Website