I’m listening to my Rat Pack Live at the Sands record, reveling in the silky sounds of Frank, Dean and Sammy. I listen to this record a lot because it’s just so cool. Recorded in 1963, the boys are at their best; singing, cutting up and just having a great time. (I also listen to my Sinatra at the Sands record from 1966 a lot.) But I sometimes get a bit sad when listening to it when I think about the fact that all three of them are dead. These guys were hip, cool music for a very long time. They had style, talent and tons of class. Contrast that with today’s music scene. There are very few “recording artists” today who could hold a candle to Frank, Dean or Sammy. I can’t think of any, actually. Most of what passes for music these days is just unredeemable crap (to wit). These guys had the mojo and they recorded a ton of music that will live on. Today’s bands could learn a lot from them.

In the kitchen at my office they bought us a new microwave a few months ago. We only had one at the time and there was always a line at lunch time to use it, so they got us a new one. Very nice. But this microwave, instead of just going “beep… beep… beep…” when your food is ready plays music. And not just one tune. No, you have your choice of tunes, such as “Auld Lang Syne” or selections from The Music Man… Is this really a feature that we need in our microwaves? And the tunes don’t really sound that good since a microwave is not a truly chromatic instrument. Thus some of these tunes just don’t sound right; just like some songs were never meant to be played on the bagpipe, even though people sure try. I’m not complaining about the microwave because it does cook well. I just don’t see the need for the serenade when your food is done. That feature was probably invented by the same guy who came up with “cool downloadable ringtones” for cell phones…