I dropped in to downtown’s central library to check out the marvelous Songs In The Key Of L.A. exhibit. The project, curated by USC professor Josh Kun, includes not only the double-sized exhibition of the library’s collection of vintage sheet music (it fills two halls!), but a book, new recordings of songs about our hometown, and a concert on August 2nd featuring Ozomatli interpreting historic songs about the city. The exhibit is full of gorgeous sheet music covers depicting bucolic Southern California – this hugging bear kills me- but I think my suburban-born heart lies with the song San Fernando Valley. Gordon Jenkins wrote it, and Bing Crosby popularized it, but you’ve got to love Roy Rogers’s over the top version. He even made this crazy video for it, complete with oranges, sombreros, and a woody wagon! Viva Los Angeles!
