Manolo’s Shoe Blog

Manolo says, this has made the Manolo smile from ear-to-ear all afternoon long.

Manolo shouts, ayyyyyyyyyyyy!

The picture like this can mean only one thing. The return of the abomination known as Euorvision!

Manolo says, oddly compelling!

P.S. Many thanks to the Manolo’s internet friend Maria.

Manolo says, the Manolo does not usually follow the American Idol, as his tolerance for cheese and schmaltz is surprisingly low, however, he is now unable to ignore the rise of this Sanjaya person.

So, he has very nice hair, yes?

Unfortunately, as everyone acknowledges, his singing voice, unlike his hair, lacks texture and depth and volume, although by the usual American Idol singing standards, in which molto fortissimo fortissimo is considered just the good start, this is not necessarily the bad thing.

What he does have is the innocent and naive charm, and the undeniable stage presence that can only come from being sweet, sassy, and seventeen.

Who cares if the Sanjaya can sing? This competition is not really about the singing, it is really about the television, and the sparkly, bouncy, dippy Sanjaya is good television. Undoubtedly, he has the great future ahead of him.

Manolo says, here is the example of the song that is amusing and catchy and perfectly wonderful in the original version, but which has been reinterpreted into something that is honest and profound and perfectly wonderful in the entirely new version.

The result is that the Manolo cannot decide which he likes better. But, does it really matter? They are both wonderful!

P.S. From the Manolo’s internet friends at the Brothers Judd.

Manolo says, patent leather boots and rich girls who can’t sing are both in again!

Manolo says, the Manolo brings back to you, from the depths of the YouTube, the Velvet Fog…

Mel Tormé at 18 years of age.

Mel Tormé at 29 years of age.

Mel Tormé at 51 years of age.

Mel at 63 years of age.

Several things about this series of the videos amuse the Manolo.

First, that the women’s fashions from 1943 could be worn today by the super fantastic girl (sans the short-sleeve jacket with the big shoulders) while the men’s fashions would seem mostly costumey.

Second, Mel looks much better in 1989 than he does in 1976, and indeed to judge from the synthetic tuxedo and the stacked heel shoes this moment appears to be the nadir of the 20th Century fashion.

Third, Mel always seems to be genuinely enjoying himself. There is the great and cheerful joyousness in his singing that never fails to make the Manolo smile.

Manolo says, ayyyyyyyy! Only three more months until the apocalyptic return of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Here, to remind you of the unrelenting horror that lies ahead, the Manolo gives you the 1979’s fourth-place finisher, from Germany, Dschinghis Khan.

(Fast forward through the first minute to get to the true horror!)

And here below is the special bonus video to increase your sense of dread.

Thanks to the Manolo’s internet friend the Adalmin

Manolo says, who can ever forget that brief period in the 1982 and the 1983, when all the cool kids were dressing like the street urchins?

Everyone in the bib overalls and the bad shoes with the damaged hair.

Pray ardently this that this look never comes back.