Photograph: Auditorium Square Park. Silver gelatin print by Paul Goldfinger photo. Click once to enlarge.
SOUNDTRACK: “The Christmas Waltz.” Sir George Shearing (1919-2011) and his quintet in three-quarter time :
Archive for the ‘Music: The Power to Enchant’ Category
The Christmas Waltz : Auditorium Park. Ocean Grove, New Jersey
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, Ocean Grove photographs, tagged Auditorium Square, The Christmas Waltz on December 18, 2025| 4 Comments »
Modern OG history—2009: “Sweet Songs of Christmas” by the Canadian Brass
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged Sweet Songs of Christmas, The Canadian Brass on December 18, 2025|
Ocean Grove, New Jersey. December 21, 2009. By Paul Goldfinger. Click for full view.
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ. 2009
We’ve had recent winters with no snow and other times we’ve had big snow. But the town of Ocean Grove looks especially beautiful right after the snow falls. Somebody recently said that they have never seen a photograph of the Great Auditorium in the snow, but they do exist.
This view shows the “tents” in their winter garb: no canvas, just the wood framing of those structures.
Most photos of the tents are taken in season, but these little buildings have a special look in the winter. I love the multiple colors that they are dressed in. You can see how a “tent” might be converted to a cottage, which is how many of the Grove’s small houses began.
SOUNDTRACK: Here are our Canadian friends again—the Canadian Brass whom we have heard perform live many times. This piece is lovely and is called: “Sweet Songs of Christmas.”
Modern OG history–March 2013: Camp Meeting Association meets with Township organizations and expresses optimism 5 months after Sandy.
Posted in Hurricane Sandy recovery, Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged Progress at the beachfront, Rebuilding Ocean Grove on December 18, 2025| 6 Comments »
Work progresses near the wisdom bench. Were they wise enough to evacuate? March 20. 2013 (first day of spring). PG photo
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net
The OG Camp Meeting Assoc. is determined to have the community involved in the process of restoring the ocean front. So last night, several CMA officials met for the third time with leaders of OG organizations including Home Owners, Chamber of Commerce, Ocean Grove United, Beautification Project and the Fishing Club. The purpose of the transparency offensive is to keep the town informed with the latest news of Phase One and to elicit all sorts of cooperation including sharing ideas, moving benches, raising money, and spreading the word.
Ralph del Campo, interim CMA administrator, chaired the meeting. He said that he was interviewed on New Jersey television (NJ 12) today where he announced that “our target” is in sight and, even though money is a large issue, “we are taking a step of faith and moving ahead.” All the CMA officers present, including President Dale Whilden, revealed an optimistic view of the situation. They spoke about the volunteers who have saved the project many thousands of dollars including the Calvary relief group and the American Fence Company of Whitehall, Pennsylvania whose workers continue to help even after installing the snow fences (currently named “sand fences.”)
Bill Bailey, the Director of Operations, reported on the news from the trenches. The sinking of 30 foot pilings 25 feet into the sand at the South End has gone well, although they had a scare when they ran into some old concrete holding tanks. That problem was surmounted, and the pilings are “almost done.” Building materials will be delivered in a couple of weeks for the beach offices .
Reclaimed wood from the storm is being put to use building ramps and stairs to the beach and boardwalk. Railings are being restored at the South End, and some of those were donated by the Borough of Sea Girt. The composite materials being used to surface the boardwalk will be the latest technology which reduces slipperiness and are made from recycled plastic.
Sand removal and relocation continues to be a challenge. Recently 23 loads of sand were taken from the grassy areas and placed on the growing mountains at the north end. All that sand will eventually be sifted and brought back onto the beach. The Army Corps of Engineers surveyed the sand situation two weeks ago and they will be engaged in doing whatever is needed for the beach replenishment.
Dr Whilden pointed out that there are always issues that occur which are not visible. For example, the work on the Great Auditorium roof seems to be standing still, but there is only one company which can manufacture the stainless steel roofing which needs to be coated with zinc. But manufacturing that material cannot begin until May.
Mr. Bailey was candid when he admitted “feeling the pressure” as spring arrives and the target date looms closer for reopening the OG beach. “We are on a tight schedule.” he said. But he had a smile on his face and he seemed ready and able to keep the promise of a Memorial Day target. He pointed out that some area towns had “over-promised” their completion dates and underestimated their costs. Ocean Grove’s phased strategy is proving to be more realistic, and so we have a good chance of actually reaching the goal.
Stay tuned to Blogfinger….
SARAH VAUGHAN:
MUSIC. What’s the most romantic musical instrument ever?
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged The most romantic musical instrument on November 15, 2025| 2 Comments »
What instrument has stood the test of time as the most romantic musical instrument? No, it’s not the organ. And no, Mr. Wiseguy, it’s not the bass drum or the electrified flute. Now I suppose, if you want to stretch the definition of a musical instrument, you might say the human voice. Frank Sinatra comes to mind.
But Stradivarius knew the answer — it is the violin. So here we have the sine qua non of romantic music: Frank Sinatra singing “Close to You” with a lovely violin solo.
Am I right about this? Any other ideas? But please, no exotic instruments from Asia and forget about the ocarina and the French horn. If you tried to get romantic with a French horn, you could hurt yourself. —Paul Goldfinger.
Ladies and germs: Here’s Frankie:
Thornley Chapel
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged Andrea Shippy, Ocean Grove, Photo: Thornley Chapel on October 15, 2025|
Ocean Grove, NJ By Paul Goldfinger Thornley Chapel.
Feb. 2010. silver gelatin print. Click once to enlarge. 2023
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT from the soundtrack of the movie Aviator
No admittance…
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, Photographic Gallery, Color, tagged Music. Bob Dylan on October 2, 2025|
MUSIC. “The Tennessee Waltz” with Bill Frisell and Friends
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged MUSIC: Bill Frisell and the Tennessee Waltz on August 8, 2025|
The album “Windmills of Your Mind” was recorded in 2011 without digital equipment. The sound was “live to analogue” creating an intimate feel for this recording that was made to celebrate the 80th birthday of Paul Motian, a legendary jazz drummer. Bill Frisell is one of the most innovative guitar players in the world, and the quartet was rounded out with vocalist Petra Haden and bassist Thomas Morgan. Some of the songs on the album are from Broadway while others are original compositions.
The tempo of this version of the “Tennessee Waltz” is agonizingly slow, but it is its slowness plus the restraint and virtuosity of the musicians that makes you listen carefully to each note. Although it is a waltz tempo, the slowness doesn’t invite dancing, unless the lights are low and two feel like one—-barely moving–maybe just rocking. —Paul Goldfinger; Blogfinger.net. 2012.
Boardwalk Pavilion
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, Photography by Paul Goldfinger, Photography Jersey Shore, Photography Nights in Ocean Grove, Photography Tri-X Collection, Photography: Nocturnal Ocean Grove, tagged boardwalk pavilion, Changes by Phil Ochs on July 28, 2025|
Ocean Grove, New Jersey. By Paul Goldfinger © Re-post from 2013. Click once to enlarge.
PHIL OCHS “Changes”
Jersey Shore Gallery
Posted in Asbury Connection, Jersey Shore gallery, Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged ASbury Park in the morning on July 13, 2025|
Asbury Park. 8:00 am. Paul Goldfinger photo . Click once to enlarge.
BUDDY HOLLY “True Love Ways.”
MUSIC. Gertrude Lawrence with a beautiful, but largely unknown Cole Porter song.
Posted in Blogfinger News, Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged Song: Gertrude Lawrence on July 5, 2025| 3 Comments »
Gertrude Lawrence
Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952) was a musical stage star–singer and actress. She was born in London. In 1923, she was introduced to American audiences when she became the first British female performer to star in a Broadway show. It was a musical review by Noel Coward called “London Calling.” Subsequently she was featured in two Gershwin shows including “Lady in the Dark.” The NY Times review called her “a goddess.” In 1951 she won the lead in the original cast of the” King and I” for which she won a Tony for “best actress.”
In 1933, she starred in a Cole Porter show called “Nymph Errant.” Wickipedia says, “The somewhat controversial story concerned a young English lady intent upon losing her virginity. Porter considered the score his best because of its worldliness and sexual sophistication. The musical was produced in London in 1933 and received its US premiere in 1982.”
Today, I heard this Cole Porter song, “How Could We be Wrong?” by Gertrude Lawrence from “Nymph Errant” on the radio. I thought it was beautiful, and the host agreed, although he commented that the song sort of vanished over the years.
This is Gertrude Lawrence, but Maude Maggart has a current recording. —Paul Goldfinger
Une reminiscence de Paris…
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, Photographic Gallery, Black and White, tagged MUSIC: Madeleine Peyroux, Photo: Paris left bank on June 21, 2025| 4 Comments »
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger I like this post, so here it is again.
Some of you read this post, but there is one addition* regarding Madeleine Peyroux the jazz singer working a corner in Paris. The year is 1991, and we were visiting Paris with our son Michael for his 21st birthday. We had been there before and we liked the Left Bank the best, especially the area near the oldest church in town (St. Germaine des Pres) located on the Boulevard St. Germaine.
Michael Goldfinger. We stayed in a walk-up small hotel. Paul Goldfinger photo.
You can walk that neighborhood and find bookstalls along the River Seine, Musee D’Orsay—home of the Impressionists, funky neighborhoods near the Sorbonne, antique shops, bistros where you can’t get a bad meal, small hotels with floor to ceiling windows and no elevators, and wonderful food markets.
Boats moored along the Seine. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
Behind the old church where the Blvd. St. Germaine meets Rue de Rennes, is a tiny park where you can relax, called the Rue de l’Abbaye—a respite from the bustle all around it. But also at that intersection is the famous Café Les Deux Magots where Hemingway, Picasso and other artists and intellectuals used to hang out. It’s so much fun to sip an espresso there and people-watch.
Park adjacent to the church: St. Germaine des Pres. Paul Goldfinger photo ©.
One evening Michael, Eileen, and I took a walk. At the corner, in front of the church and across from the café, we heard a street band playing. They were called “The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band,” composed mostly of American musicians. But we were most intriqued by their vocalist, a seventeen year old young woman from New York and California who sounded like Billie Holiday.
She had been living in Paris since she moved there at age 16 with her mom. Madeleine Peyroux is now a jazz star who performs around the world, but we think of her standing on the sidewalk with a floppy hat on, charming the crowd.
Below is the Café Deux Magots which dates back to 1875—just a few years younger than Ocean Grove.
And below that is Madeleine Peyroux singing in French. The song is “J’ai Deux Amours” (I have two loves). It is from her album “Careless Love.” That’s a good song for an album with that name.
Cafe Deux Magots. Paris. 1991. By Paul Goldfinger
Presenting Madeleine Peyroux: * I just found a photo which I took that evening in 1991 across the street from Deux Maggots and on the corner of the church. For years I wondered why I didn’t photograph her.
The teen age Madeleine Peyroux singing with an American band in Paris. Paul Goldfinger photo ©. Copywrite. 1991.
Jazz in Jersey–Waterloo Village.
Posted in Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged Jazz in New Jersey on April 7, 2025|
Warren Vache´ on jazz trumpet at Waterloo Village (Sussex County, NJ) c. 1995. By Paul Goldfinger
There has always been an active jazz scene in New Jersey. Many well known musicians live and perform here, with considerable overlap in NYC. I’ve heard Warren Vaché at Waterloo Village and at the 92nd Street Y in New York. He was born in Rahway and is well known among jazz musicians. He has a beautiful tone. Many of the concerts in Jersey are sponsored by the 40 year old New Jersey Jazz Society. NJ Jazz Society link .
This recording is from an album called “Uptown Lowdown,” a jazz tribute to the Big Apple. Warren Vaché is part of this ten man band, and I especially like this piece called “Rose of Washington Square/ Broadway Rose.” The clarinet player is the excellent Ken Peplowski. And listen for Warren’s trumpet.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Posted in Music from the movies, Music: The Power to Enchant, tagged Edith Piaf sings La Vie en Rose, The Eiffel Tower on December 5, 2024| 1 Comment »
By Paul Goldfinger. Click image for larger view. This photo appeared in an ad in Europe.
The tourists are looking southeast at the Champ de Mars, a grassy park which extends past the Eiffel Tower until you reach the École Militaire (Military School) which is faintly visible in this photo. The Champ de Mars has a terrific party each year for Bastille Day (July 14.) You can take an elevator to the top of the Tower and get a great view of the city.
This song was featured in the movie “Saving Private Ryan” when, toward the end, Captain Miller’s men are waiting for the Germans to attack their position guarding a critical bridge in a bombed out French town near Normandy. They find some old records and play them. The music echoes down the abandoned avenues. It is a moment of peaceful beauty for these GI’s who are about to have their world turned upside down.
EDITH PIAF from the album The White Cliffs of Dover—-“La Vie en Rose.” (tr. life through rose colored glasses)