I wish there was SO much more video of Flanders and Swann -- or even a little bit more. There should be. They did a TV special for CBS in 1967 based on their two-man West End and Broadway revue, At the Drop of Another Hat, and a few videos exist from that. But not the whole show, or even most of it. I've posted a couple of things from that and some black-and-white video of them here and here (and if you've joined our farrago here -- their word -- after the fact, do check those out), but there should be oh-so-much more. Michael Flanders wrote the lyrics and waltzes around the stage in his wheelchair (a result of polio). Donald Swann sits at the piano like an elegant, but maniacal professor. And together they wrote some of the most wonderful comic and occasionally serious songs, woven together by Flanders' magnificent skill as an raconteur, Here though is another rare video of Flanders and Swann, from that TV special. It's not a typical song -- almost exclusively they wrote original words and music; this though is to the melody of an existing children's song. It's a bit dated today, about French President Charles DeGaulle, but still great fun. But then, it's Flanders and Swann; "great fun" is sure to follow.
2 Comments
R-M
8/23/2014 04:31:15 am
Gosh – I had almost forgotten about Flanders and Swann. Thank you for reminding the readers of their existence. What's not to like about people who managed to get the word "antepenultimate" into a song?
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Robert Elisberg
8/23/2014 05:09:04 am
R-M -- thanks, we aims to please. Yes, and songs about the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics. And romantic love songs about twining plants and armadillos.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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