Delightfully inspired insanity, It reminds me of spike Milligan’s GOON Show only in visuals. Where was this wonderful team when Spike did the Telegoons?
I know Steve and Kevin were teaching this. Who are the participants? I think I spy Heather Asch and maybe Stephanie D’Abruzzo? Do you remember who everyone is?
Linda Bruno, Nancy Bacon, Ginger Schulman, Yael (HR - can't remember her last name), Lisa (Music - can't remember her last name), myself & my sister Kathy (who didn't work at Henson's)
Our office was at Raleigh Studios at the time. So all the puppets were there. It's where we also recorded the Muppets Kokomo video (where I am in the background chorus in the center as a blue parrot).
The female opera singer Russell mentioned is Rebecca Sjöwall. She has worked with them several times before, and it's her singing Ann's part on the demos. Look further in my reply to '@imagen a world like that'!😃😍🤩 (The "They ARE amazing....")
Yes, but they don't sing of joy when they are called "the Sparks Brothers". That was the name their label wanted them to take, instead of 'Halfnelson'. It was meant like a travesty on 'The Marx Brothers', since they thought the band was funny. Ron and Russell immediately turned it down, they hated the type of name and they hated to be compared to film clowns. No disrespect in that, humor is a serious thing, but despite the humor, they wanted to be taken seriously, and couldn't see how that would happen with such name. The compromise was only 'Sparks'. Even so neither the self-named (Halfnelson) and then renamed (Sparks) debut album nor the second, 'A Woofer in a Tweeter's Clothing' sold notably well. Anyway, the name 'Sparks' works well, and I can't really imagine them named 'Halfnelson' nowadays 😅💖💖💖💖💖 (Edgar Wright's choice of name for the documentary is both a joke on the Mael's behalf (a loving joke!) and a hint of the story.)
They ARE amazing! The opera singer Russell mentioned is Rebecca Sjöwall (she is American, married to a Swedish guy, hence the last name). She worked with them on the 'The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman' project (she is the 'Diva'), on the live performances, the albums and at the live performance at the Los Angeles Film Festival 2011 (? I think it was 🤔). Also the duet with Russell on 'Life With The Macbeth's' on the 'Hippopotamus' album. If you listen to the demos that is on the 'Unlimited Edition', the full soundtrack, Rebecca is singing the part of Ann. She has a very warm voice, something that seems less common among sopranos. She appears to be as nice and sweet as Ron and Russell AND, she is a huge Sparks fan!💖
Had no idea they were singing live! I loved that they took a more naturalistic, non over the top type of musical. I love the idea that these actors didn't need to be the best opera or broadway singers, but just good enough that it feels emotional, tells the story, and is impactful and beautiful, which it was. I loved it. The actual instrumental parts of this soundtrack are also incredible. I really loved this film and now I have a love for these two brothers as well!
Thanks a lot for sharing this video! The Sparks are so genuinely modest and positive people! Quite the opposite of many pop/rock stars, and credits to them for contributing tonsich a unique movie!
makes me really sad to see him like this. But I know he's a fighter and will hopefully recover to some extent. I can't imagine that he's painting at the rate he was a few years ago seeing how he looks in this video. Again, I wish him well.
Danny and Phil still sound so good after all these years. Would love to hear another album from them soon. No group or band today can ever make music like this anymore. "ROCK ON REMBRANDT"S"!!
Yeah, I'd love to see videos for all of Phil's great solos. Back in the early '90's I made a cassette just of all his solos, ran back to back! Time to break that out and practice some more!
John- you are absolutely correct on Phil’s amazing solos. I played in a band ‘Android’ w Phil in 1975-76. I’ve posted RU-vid videos of about 30+ songs including originals. Most include jaw dropping Phil solos. He was 19 then & musicians would stare at Phil as he played, in disbelief. Find one & hit subscribe to find all. I was the other guitarist, so if the solo sucks, it’s me🤪
@@JohnLueckenotte Thx John, feel free to read the additional description on the songs, I do wish there were videos of us playing but that was about 5-6 yrs before camcorders were available. I haven’t promoted the RU-vid postings as Rembrandts or Phil Solem related, didn’t want to step on Buddy Phil’s old shoes. Feel free to add comments if u wish. Take care, Brad Davis
Great video. I miss the electric guitar of the studio version, but watching Phil's fingers fly more than makes up for it. Now if we could just get a copy of that impossible "Rolling Down the Hill" solo...
