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Surprise! Songs that -- ready or not -- pack a last-minute surprise

By Don Effenberger | 08/12/11
Of course, they’re only a surprise the first time you hear them. After that, though, it can be fun to see how cleverly the composer handles the set-up.
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Here's to pop idol Bobby Vee, who's earned the right to slow down a bit

By Don Effenberger | 07/15/11
Now, after a pop music career that produced 38 Billboard hits, the adopted Minnesotan has decided to dial life back a notch or two. Check out a few of my favorites of his forgotten hits.
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Minnesota memories resonate through the halls of baseball's Hall of Fame

By Don Effenberger | 07/08/11
On our first pilgrimage to the shrine at Cooperstown, we saw lots of Minnesota connections to the national pastime, and it’s amazing how emotionally powerful those inanimate objects can be.
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Musical showstoppers a great way to get ready for Sunday's Tony Awards

By Don Effenberger | 06/10/11
Before theater folks honor Broadway’s best, let’s sample some of musical theater’s unforgettable standout numbers.
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Duets, schmuets! Check out these musical 'triple threats'

By Don Effenberger | 05/20/11
Many duets will seem quite humdrum by comparison, after you check out these musical threesomes from films and the Broadway stage.
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Some mesmerizing music to remember Dr. Mesmer

By Don Effenberger | 05/13/11
His famous — or infamous — name still lives on. We can remember the controversial "Father of Hypnosis" with some mesmerizing songs.
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Fancy coaches and carriages can take film fans -- like the royal couple -- for a memorable ride

By Don Effenberger | 05/06/11
All of those magical moments got me thinking about some of the movie world’s memorable scenes featuring coaches, carriages and similar conveyances. So, come along for the ride.
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Slumber songs: Sleep-time aids from A to Z-z-z-z-z-z

By Don Effenberger | 04/22/11
Anybody need a nap? So, how about some songs about sleep — and, for equal time, sleeplessness — to set the mood?
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Before it's too late, a tribute to some famous Dons

By Don Effenberger | 04/15/11
Every year, there are fewer and fewer Donalds born in the United States. So, before there are none of us left, I wanted to salute a sampling of Dons who have made their mark in society and pop culture.
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Here's to Joan, Judy, Joni and Buffy, four folk troubadours of the '60s

By Don Effenberger | 04/08/11
Last week’s rebroadcast of PBS’ Joan Baez profile got me thinking about her as one of four female folk troubadours who came to prominence in — and helped shape the music of — the 1960s.
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Classified: Consider these songs Top Secret

By Don Effenberger | 04/01/11
Shhhh! Don’t tell anybody, but this week I’m featuring songs about secrets. And, of course, that means there will be some cheatin’ songs, too.
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What a marvelous day for a Supermoon dance

By Don Effenberger | 03/25/11
What is it about moonlight that puts people in a dancing mood? Check out these photos and songs for a clue.
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With the impending end of the space shuttle program, we offer a musical countdown in salute

By Don Effenberger | 03/18/11
As America’s space shuttle program dwindles down to its final two missions, we offer a numerical music countdown with a wide array of songs and singers.
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Tribute concert today celebrates Minnesota's Judy Garland, re-creating a special night in a special place

By Don Effenberger | 03/11/11
Family, friends and admirers are gathering tonight in New York City to re-create some of the magic of her legendary 1961 “comeback concert” — “Judy at Carnegie Hall.”
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A timely salute to some famous lions and lambs

By Don Effenberger | 03/04/11
It seems the right month to take a look at the King of the Jungle and his meeker meteorological mate in history and pop culture, so let’s get roaring.
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Oscar has honored lots of great songs but bypassed a bunch of other memorable music

By Don Effenberger | 02/25/11
Without trying to take anything away from the winning Academy Award songs, I wanted to take a look at 10 years when I thought an equally fine song was passed over.
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Get ready for the Academy Awards with some memorable Oscar moments

By Don Effenberger | 02/18/11
With the hype already ramping up by the hour, I didn’t want to get left too far behind. So, here’s the first of my two Oscar lists leading up to the Big Night on Feb. 27.
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Beyond 'Unchained Melody' -- some seldom-heard songs for your valentine

By Don Effenberger | 02/11/11
For Valentine’s Day, how about an array of love songs ranging from the admittedly schmaltzy to several Great American Songbook classics, many of them overlooked or forgotten?
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Some old words of wisdom -- and an array of songs -- about staying young

By Don Effenberger | 02/04/11
Bob Dylan said it well on dealing with aging: “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.” So did a bunch of others, including George Burns.
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Two more special 'Time Capsule' years: 1961 and 1986

By Don Effenberger | 01/21/11
Here’s a look at some of the major (and minor) events of those two years that helped shape our lives. We begin with the year that gave us President Kennedy, the Berlin Wall and a ramped-up space race.