A reader and I got to chatting about Christmas carols yesterday -- hi, it's November, so that's totally happening -- and I revealed my big college crush on Mel Torme.
It may not surprise you, if you know the Wilfair world, that I was rather sweet on singers and actors who were at their heights decades before I made my earthly entrance. Fair Finley has little on affected, annoying 20yo me.
But I did adore Mel -- nickname: The Velvet Fog -- and even sat front row at one of his final concerts. Mel pointed at me a few times, and then his heart, so obviously I nearly passed out. Also? He co-wrote "The Christmas Song" -- "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." -- and anyone who writes a holiday standard sung each and every year by millions automatically is a charter member in Alysia's Hand-Picked Twinkly Pantheon of Amazing People (tm).
I also liked Chet Baker a lot. Heard a Chet Baker song? You have and you loved it. It's music to listen to while you wait out a sudden afternoon rainstorm in the nearest dark bar. Wait it out with someone special in the very back booth. (You're not drinking Shirley Temples, either.)
Also, yeah, let's scream over Harrison Ford as Han Solo, too. Nothing more need be said there, because it will only be gilding that particular vest-wearing, blaster-toting, boot-rocking lily.
