Mickey Rooney R.I.P
I liked Mickey Rooney as an actor, especially his early years, like the "Andy Hardy" series and all his movies with Judy Garland, as opposed to some of my more cynical acquaintances who can't seem to appreciate the incredible overall talent that man had, as well as his "clean-cut" appeal as a young man. In fact, considering that appeal, I'd say it was pretty good acting, when he took on gangster and other far from "appealing" and less clean-cut roles and acquitted himself pretty well - in one man's humble opinion.
But when all is said and done, it's those early roles that come to mind when I think of "Mickey Rooney," the ones where you can feel the electric energy of this little man (he was really short), shooting out at you. Alas, our age's idea of uplifting or super-charged generally won't tolerate the simple direct approach of a guy like Mickey or the songs written to fuel this little ball of fire. Uplifting today has been co-opted by motivational speakers spouting psychological drivel, or maudlin preachers tearing at your emotions as they rifle through your pockets. As for super-charging, it's generally some combination of drugs and/or mega-vitamins with maybe an exercise video.
But Mickey was the real deal who captured what the 1930s and 1940s had to offer by way of uplifting and supercharging. In fact, the little man was the quintessential "picker-upper."
If you're not sure what that means, take a listen to this jaunty Harold Arlen tune written back in the days of Mickey's youth, and performed in inimitable style of the time. I really do like these old songs done in their original style with these orchestrations. I hope you enjoy this one, and that it proves, like young Mickey, to be a real picker-upper for you today.
Oh, and if you're reading this in the morning (or even if you're not), and you want to see Mickey at the height of his youthful enthusiasm, you could do worse than spend the next 2 1/2 minutes soaking up this "Good Morning" from Mickey and Judy. Tell me this doesn't lift your spirits!
But when all is said and done, it's those early roles that come to mind when I think of "Mickey Rooney," the ones where you can feel the electric energy of this little man (he was really short), shooting out at you. Alas, our age's idea of uplifting or super-charged generally won't tolerate the simple direct approach of a guy like Mickey or the songs written to fuel this little ball of fire. Uplifting today has been co-opted by motivational speakers spouting psychological drivel, or maudlin preachers tearing at your emotions as they rifle through your pockets. As for super-charging, it's generally some combination of drugs and/or mega-vitamins with maybe an exercise video.
But Mickey was the real deal who captured what the 1930s and 1940s had to offer by way of uplifting and supercharging. In fact, the little man was the quintessential "picker-upper."
If you're not sure what that means, take a listen to this jaunty Harold Arlen tune written back in the days of Mickey's youth, and performed in inimitable style of the time. I really do like these old songs done in their original style with these orchestrations. I hope you enjoy this one, and that it proves, like young Mickey, to be a real picker-upper for you today.
Oh, and if you're reading this in the morning (or even if you're not), and you want to see Mickey at the height of his youthful enthusiasm, you could do worse than spend the next 2 1/2 minutes soaking up this "Good Morning" from Mickey and Judy. Tell me this doesn't lift your spirits!
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