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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Tim McCarver sings the American songbook

#### PAVEMENT!

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Fox Sports baseball analyst Tim McCarver is a guy who takes a lot of heat—particularly here in Boston, where many people seem to think he has an anti-Red Sox agenda. While I’ve never felt that way, I believe that I already get to hear McCarver quite enough, thank you, during his regularly scheduled baseball telecasts.

Those who disagree will soon be able to buy a CD of McCarver—not talking, but singing. During last weekend’s Phillies-Mets telecast, McCarver promoted the release of his new recording: “Tim McCarver sings selections from the great American songbook.”

Here’s the Amazon.com product description: “Major League Baseball legend and Fox Sports commentator Tim McCarver brings out the best in this classic collection, ‘Sings Selections from the Great American Songbook.’ Produced by Sid Selvidge and cut with a host of Memphis recording greats (Tony Thomas, Tom Lonardo, Sam Shoup, Jim Spake, Steve Selvidge, more), ‘Sings’ blows the dust off some of the most moving vintage American standards from the last century and gives new life to each selection chosen carefully by the former All Star and World Series winner.”

Repoz Posted: September 17, 2009 at 11:54 AM | 38 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: announcers, history, media, music

Reader Comments and Retorts

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Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

   1. Gamingboy Posted: September 17, 2009 at 12:05 PM (#3324484)
We must stop it now before it is too late.
   2. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: September 17, 2009 at 12:58 PM (#3324517)
There is no God.
   3. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:07 PM (#3324529)
Ella Fitzgerald's great American songbooks are considered the peak of the form. Similarly, McCarver and Joe Buck have been scatting all over broadcasts for years.
   4. TerpNats Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:09 PM (#3324534)
I'm wondering if any of these songs will be as good as a Harry Kalas rendition of "High Hopes."

But it could be worse -- I once heard John Sterling interviewed on the old WQEW (the successor to the legendary standards station WNEW for a few years) where he said how much he enjoyed the great American songbook. The thought of him singing is scary...although if Suzyn Waldman (who has Broadway singing experience) taught him the ropes, he might finally have a found a field of work he actually could do well in.
   5. RMc is the loyal supporter of the MLB event Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:10 PM (#3324536)
In a related story, the Onion is going out of business.
   6. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:21 PM (#3324549)
My monitor appreciates that I wasn't drinking coffee when I read #3.
   7. NaOH Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:25 PM (#3324556)
In a related story, the Onion is going out of business.

In a truly related story is this upcoming Bob Dylan album. And I like Dylan. A lot.
   8. Repoz Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:36 PM (#3324570)
The thought of him singing is scary...although if Suzyn Waldman (who has Broadway singing experience) taught him the ropes, he might finally have a found a field of work he actually could do well in.

We do have tape of Baggypants Moskowitz doing..."Violets For Your Merkins"
   9. The Essex Snead Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:46 PM (#3324582)
I think I'd rather hear the Reds broadcast crew tackle the GG Allin songbook before I submit to McCarver clotheslining the American one.
   10. Dock Ellis on Acid Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:50 PM (#3324587)
Whatever, it's still gonna be better than Bronson Arroyo's cover album.
   11. Lassus Posted: September 17, 2009 at 01:59 PM (#3324598)
There are a lot of really horrible and stupid people with nice voices. There is actually a decent possibility he sounds good.
   12. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:03 PM (#3324605)
My dad liked this type of music. I never really got into it; although some Big Band stuff is alright by me. I think it's the bel canto singing style that I don't care for.
   13. The Essex Snead Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:06 PM (#3324610)
I once heard John Sterling interviewed on the old WQEW (the successor to the legendary standards station WNEW for a few years) where he said how much he enjoyed the great American songbook.

There's some YouTube of Sterling singing a little Sinatra (like 4 words' worth) for some NY news story, so if you're in a need to scratch that itch, get a-Googlin'!
   14. TerpNats Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:07 PM (#3324613)
There are a lot of really horrible and stupid people with nice voices. There is actually a decent possibility he sounds good.
Let's hope he has an arranger who can bring out something good in him. (Here, Tim's on the mound, and the catcher better be a Nelson Riddle, or at least an Axel Stordahl or Buddy Bregman.)
   15. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:10 PM (#3324616)
Suzyn Waldman (who has Broadway singing experience)


I will have to assume this involved her standing on a corner with a tin cup in her hand, threatening to continue singing unless pocket change was forthcoming.
   16. Cabbage Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:12 PM (#3324623)
I'm waiting for Tim McCarver's take on the great American cookbook.
   17. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:16 PM (#3324633)
There are a lot of really horrible and stupid people with nice voices. There is actually a decent possibility he sounds good.


It's possible, but, when I imagine this album, I hear Pat Boone's version of "Ain't that a shame."
   18. PepTech Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:25 PM (#3324648)
For some reason this comes to mind.
   19. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:38 PM (#3324671)
Now I know what to get my enemies for Christmas this year.
   20. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:42 PM (#3324677)
You buy Christmas presents for your enemies?
   21. The Marksist Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:53 PM (#3324692)
You buy Christmas presents for your enemies?

It confuses the hell out of 'em. Keeps 'em off balance.
   22. Tracy Posted: September 17, 2009 at 02:59 PM (#3324698)
#3 FTW.
   23. Ned Garvin: Male Prostitute Posted: September 17, 2009 at 03:02 PM (#3324701)
When they say "the American songbook" is that code for songs in the public domain? Is this an album full of Camptown Races, Happy Birthday, and the Hokey Pokey?

Regardless, I just can't imagine anyone seeing this album and thinking: I think I should spend my hard-earned money and purchase this album of Tim McCarver singing classic American songs.
   24. Chip Posted: September 17, 2009 at 03:07 PM (#3324705)
As always, Wiki explains the Songbook.
   25. Dock Ellis on Acid Posted: September 17, 2009 at 03:08 PM (#3324706)
Is this an album full of Camptown Races, Happy Birthday, and the Hokey Pokey?

Happy Birthday is not in the public domain.
   26. The Essex Snead Posted: September 17, 2009 at 03:12 PM (#3324713)
You buy Christmas presents for your enemies?

Keep your enemies close; keep their gift receipts closer.
   27. karkovice squad (0OPS) Posted: September 17, 2009 at 03:21 PM (#3324723)
Knowing that Leon Trotsky is one of Tim's favorites, I'm surprised he's not putting out a Soviet Songbook.
   28. Jack Keefe Posted: September 17, 2009 at 03:38 PM (#3324750)
Well Al they are all up set because T-Mac Carver has cut an Albom of song stylings what of it Al he can not be worst than William Shatner or Tiny Tim or Cher. In fact do not tell any 1 but this Fall an Albom by Yours Truly will appear on shelves it will be intitled Jack Keefe's Songs for Swinging Lovers and the Albom cover will be me throwing 1 past David Ortease for Strike Three get it Swinging Lovers Al its a Pun. Well I know you are Dyeing to hear the table of Contents so here goes but keep it under your Hat Al. Side 1 is That Old Black Magic, You Really Got Me, Vaccinatin' Rhythm, Bongo Bongo Bongo I Dont Wanna Leave the Congo, The Lyons Leaps Tonite, Istanbul Not Constantinople, and My Son Calls Another Man Daddy. On the Flip Side you will hear A Hoarse with No Name, The Monster Mash, Nites in White Satin, Moonlight in Vermont, Smoak Gets In Your Eyes, When You Find a Man with True Grit, and Shiloh When I Was Young. Plus a bonus If I Were A Carpenter and You Were a Lady which I recoarded as a Duvet with A. J. Pierogi. If this Albom sells OK Al they are going to bring me back for A Jack Keefe Christmas which any red blooded Boy would be happy to find in his Stocking with tracks like Bring a Torch Here Dustin Pedroia and The Holly and Mike Ivie.
   29. Tom Nawrocki Posted: September 17, 2009 at 03:50 PM (#3324772)
Well, I was going to post something funny, but it wouldn't be nearly as funny as "Bring a Torch Here Dustin Pedroia," so I'm not going to bother.
   30. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: September 17, 2009 at 03:55 PM (#3324783)
Suzyn Waldman (who has Broadway singing experience)


I will have to assume this involved her standing on a corner with a tin cup in her hand, threatening to continue singing unless pocket change was forthcoming.

My wife was a child ballet performer in England during grade school, but gave it up when she moved to France for her teenage years.

When she got to DC after college, she was a part time volunteer at the Kennedy Center, and during a run of one of their ballets, one of the performers came down sick one morning. And so without any rehearsal, and with only a few minutes of instruction, the producer of the show (who knew of my wife's experience) drafted her as a replacement. And she did quite well until the original performer returned.

I know this sounds like complete bullshit, but it's not. You see, her role was that of a thistle. She just put on a thistle costume and sat there during the entire show.

I have to think that Suzyn Waldman could have handled that.
   31. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: September 17, 2009 at 04:00 PM (#3324792)
which I recoarded as a Duvet with A. J. Pierogi.

That cracked me up even more until I remembered that that weird French toilet thingy is called a bidet, not a duvet.
   32. jwb Posted: September 17, 2009 at 04:50 PM (#3324889)
Jack, I hope your Moonlight in Vermont is the Don Van Vliet arrangement.
   33. wjones Posted: September 17, 2009 at 06:40 PM (#3325080)
"Suzyn Waldman (who has Broadway singing experience)"

Well, I just tried to pull her up on ibdb.com (internet broadway database), and she did not pull up. So unless she was on Broadway under another name, she isn't there...
   34. Walt Davis Posted: September 17, 2009 at 07:39 PM (#3325179)
Major League Baseball legend

You guys just slid right by that one. You're getting old.
   35. asinwreck Posted: September 17, 2009 at 09:28 PM (#3325295)
I'll give McCarver credit for working with some pretty good musicians on this project. I still am not interested in listening to it, but at least he gave good people some work.
   36. vortex of dissipation Posted: September 18, 2009 at 05:30 AM (#3325570)
9. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square


Wouldn't that make it the Great British Songbook?
   37. God Posted: September 18, 2009 at 05:54 AM (#3325580)
There is no me.
   38. JoeHova Posted: September 18, 2009 at 07:06 AM (#3325611)
Plus a bonus If I Were A Carpenter and You Were a Lady which I recoarded as a Duvet with A. J. Pierogi.

This is just excellent.

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