BE OUR GUEST (August 28, 2023)

Today we have a treat for you: Keith is in the house!

Keith Allen, AKA “The Nostalgic Italian“, has written another guest post which we’re sure you’ll find entertaining, interesting and enlightening. It’s guaranteed to brighten up your back-to-work Monday. Enough talking by me; I’m going to hand the reigns over to Keith for another edition of Be Our Guest in The Rhythm Section. Take it away, Keith!

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Thanks, Nancy, for once again allowing me to share music with you.

Are you all in the mood for a little Blues today? I’ve got just the ticket!

Today’s song was originally done by a guy born in Arkansas but has a connection to my home state of Michigan (He moved to Detroit when he was 4.). Little Willie John recorded Sonny Thompson’s song “Let Them Talk” in 1960. His version is backed by a beautiful string arrangement, but his rendition is not the one I wanted to share.

Many know award-winning actor Hugh Laurie for his role as Dr. Gregory House on “House, MD”. His American accent always blew me away as I watched; I knew he was English but you sure couldn’t tell when he spoke! His credentials are impressive, far too many accomplishments to list but here are a few: He was half the comedy duo of “Fry and Laurie” with Stephen Fry. He appeared on the show “Jeeves and Wooster”, and many films including “Sense and Sensibility”, “101 Dalmatians”, and “Stuart Little”. Laurie portrayed the devious Richard Roper in the British TV series “The Night Manager” and George, the Prince in the BBC sitcom “Blackadder”. He is the author of the novel “The Gun Seller.”

He is also an extremely talented musician.

Today’s tune is the title track from Laurie’s first album “Let Them Talk”.  The album is subtitled “A Celebration of New Orleans Blues” and is just fantastic. His piano work is marvelous and he sings with incredible feeling.  The period instruments and guest vocalists add to the feel of some great blues music.

I picked this song for a few reasons.  First, I love the attitude of the song – “Let them talk!”  Recently in my life there are way too many people who are talking about me, my life, and what’s going on in it.  It is easy to get caught up in wondering what people think but in reality, who cares?!  LET THEM TALK!  Maybe they are talking because they see how much better things are for me now.  Maybe they are jealous.  Maybe they are unhappy with their own lives and aren’t happy unless they are talking smack about others. I don’t know.  Whatever the case, LET THEM TALK!

Another reason I love this song is that it is a guy singing about just how wonderful it is to be with his special someone. I feel the same way. I want to yell at the top of my lungs how much I love my wife! I want the world to know how remarkable she is and how special our relationship is!

The final reason I love this song is the simplicity of it musically.  A voice and a piano (and a few minor instruments).  A song so stripped-down and yet it carries you away. Give a listen and enjoy:

Let Them Talk

Just let them talk
If they want to
Talk don’t bother me
I’m gonna keep on to the whole wide world knows
That I really love you
I really love you so

Let them whisper
For they know know
What’s between you and I
I’m gonna keep on
I’m gonna keep on loving you
’till the day that I die

They tried to break up our romance
They didn’t stay a chance
We have the kind of love that’s so strong
We’ll be together from now on

They say that gossip comes from the devil’s workshop
And only true love can make it stop
I’m gonna keep on
I’m gonna keep on loving you
’till the day that I die

Oh they’re envious of everything that we do
But I wanna say it’s wonderful
When you love someone
And that someone
And that someone, really loves you

And that someone
And that someone, really loves you

Yeah that someone
And that someone, really loves you

Yeahhh

And that someone
Yeah that someone, really loves you

Thanks so much for joining me today in The Rhythm Section and thanks again to Nancy, The Sicilian Storyteller. Please leave me a comment; it’ll be a pleasure to read them.

See you next time!

Keith, The Nostalgic Italian

KA©2023