Oscars report

Apparently Hollywood has appointed Lady Gaga, of all people, the unofficial keeper of the Great American Songbook. Her duets with Tony Bennett seem to be popular, perhaps because the two are perceived as cute together– in a condescending, creepy, or ironic way. At the Oscars she belted out a Sound of Music medley. She sang loudly and, for the most part, on key. I suppose even a bad treatment of great lyrics and melodies is justified if it brings them to the attention of a new generation. The songs will certainly outlast any abuse they receive from Lady G. I did feel a little bad for Julie Andrews, whose voice, though not my style, was once alive with the sound of music.