I wasn’t going to post anything today but when I flipped on the television first thing this morning to check out the news an episode of “I Love Lucy” was on with Ricky singing a beautiful song called Similau. I’ve seen every episode of the show many, many times over the years and am always amazed at how talented Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were.
Everyone knows about Lucy’s comedic sklils but it’s her dancing that I really admire. She plays up the clumsiness in her comedy dance routines creating bits that make me laugh every time I see them. But periodically she flashes the grace and movement of a real dancer. I don’t think a less talented dancer could create the comedic effect of her often failed dance attempts on the show.
Desi also flashed his wonderful talents on the show, both as a comedian and a real entertainer. There are a number of his performances of songs on the show that I find really really fascinating with their Cuban beats that were popular in that time. Of course, there was his signature Babalu but it’s songs like this one, Similau, that captivate me. Not what you’d expect from one of the most popular sitcoms of all time.
I couldn’t find the version of the song from the show which featured a really interesting and more pronounced rhythmic counterpoint but this is an equally fine version taken from the Peggy Lee radio show of that time.
Redtree Times 