Who doesn’t recognize this icon of modern style design? Part of the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art with appearances in countless television shows and films and has been relentlessly copied. Its design has remained unchanged for more than 50 years. It is, simply put, a wonderful thing.

But did you ever see its introduction? In 1956, the Eames’ had been mostly focused on creating mass-producible and affordable furniture. The Eames Lounge Chair — or Eames Lounge (670) and Ottoman (671) as it is officially titled — was the first chair that the couple designed for a luxury market. It made its debut on NBC’s Arlene Francis’ Home Show, a not so successful pre-cursor to today’s daytime TV.

Sit back, relax and enjoy these full twelve minutes dedicated to its revealing (including dramatic intro music) and a somewhat ambiguous assembly clip. If you’re in a hurry, skip to 8:02.

“How Glad I Am” is a 1964 song by Nancy Wilson, nicknamed ‘The Girl With the Honey-Coated Voice’, who was an award-winning American pop and jazz singer having recorded more than 70 albums and won three Grammy Awards over a career spanning more than five decades. She became one of the biggest selling acts of her time with hits as ‘Guess Who I Saw Today’, ‘Save Your Love for Me’ and this particular gem ‘How Glad I Am’.

Considered to be one of the greatest lineups of artists to ever to grace the stage, the 1967 Stax European Tour featured Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Eddie Floyd, Booker T. & The MGs (and many other soul legends) in an attempt to take advantage of the rising interest in Black American music. Though the musicians, initially, perceived ‘Hit the Road Stax‘ with some apprehension, considering themselves nothing more than a small local record label, the European market loved them and were scrambling to get tickets. By the time it was finished, the artists’ stars had risen and music would never be the same.

This particular performance was filmed in Oslo near the end of the three-week tour, when the artists were at their very peak. Pay special attention as the Mad Man of Macon, Mr. Otis Redding repeatedly returns to stage. You simply can’t beat that enthusiasm.

June Christy was an american jazz singer, known and admired for her clear and expressive vocal style. Eventually hailed as ‘one of the finest and most neglected singers of her time’ after her passing away, Miss Christy gained immediate fame with her debut album ‘Something Cool’. An album which, according to jazz writer John Bush, pretty much launched the whole ‘cool’ movement in jazz singing (and I am not to disagree.)

I am pleased to have found a live performance of its title track, performed here at Playboy Penthouse in 1959 (and yes, that is a young Hef.) Do yourself a favour, pour a drink, hit play and be briefly whisked away to an era gone by, enamoured by Miss Christy’s silky smooth singing.