And They Could Sing Too

JamsBio.com is without a doubt the best website I have ever found for music.  It has become as much a part of me as breathing.  I love reading others’ memories and listening to the snippets of songs—many of which I have already done further research on and included in my download wish list (no time to do that now, I’m too busy remembering and writing).
 Songs and memories are always on my mind of late, so it was no surprise to me as I drove home from work the other night that I was thinking of both.  What did surprise me was the vivid recollection that came to mind when I was trying to decide on my favorite Frank Sinatra song.  My thoughts leapt from Frank to Dean Martin to a scene from a John Wayne western where Dean sings with Ricky Nelson then to Bonanza and came to rest on the memory of an album that my sister had of all the Bonanza stars singing.  The album was done around the idea of a party for Ben Cartwright’s birthday and it was fabulous.
 I can still remember how amazed I was that the four of them were all great singers as well as actors and hunks, each in their own way.  Of all the songs on that album the one that stands out most vividly is Shenandoah sung by Michael Landon.  Having seen the movie by the same name with its gorgeous scenery I was already hooked on the area, but when Michael sang it was like he was describing heaven and I was certain in my young mind there could be no place on earth more perfect to live—not even the Ponderosa, though I would’ve settled for that if all the Cartwrights were there.
 It is a beautiful song and has been sung by numerous artists over the years, but in my mind no one has ever put the emotion in it that Michael did.