Dark Velvet

Music: Various
Opera Singer Robert Merrill died at his home this week-end at the age of 85, no 87. He was watching the World Series on TV. He is well known to the opera world by his many recordings, singing the Star Spangled Banner at Yankee Stadium and talk show appearances. Merrill also popularized opera to the masses. I suppose you can say he was a "cross-over" artist before that was a popular thing to do.

Beverly Sills describes his voice as dark velvet. I think that sums it up.

I have been distressed by the number of deaths in the music world this year. We have lost Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein and David Raskin.