Connie Boswell - The Nearness Of You (H. Carmichael), 1940

[BigIronOnHipMan2]

Welshman Tom Jones did a wonderful take of this classic. Thanks, Warblestrum for touting Hoagy!

[WarbleStrum]

...lets have a mention of the genius who wrote this, the most beautiful love song ever, Mr Hoagy Carmichael...

[blueydear]

Thanks for the info,I can't believe this song is really old. I love the lyrics and the latest rendition of the song by Norah Jones..

[santb03]

If by better you mean a robot with the intelligence of a rock, then yea.... I can see what you mean. You are what you listen to.

[Sugardaddy86]

she sucks. lady gaga is waaaaay better.

[ShareYourUnderwear]

Ella absolutely adored her.

[ErnieHollerhagen]

@hoopjnky: Thanks for the info! I didn't know that Chauncey Morehous played vibes, too. Signorelli is one of the best pianists of the 20ies.

And Connee is just gorgeous!

[fasbc]

So lovely. Just divine.

[cleanpalette]

This sounds a lot like Ella! I can totally see how she was a huge influence on Ella.

[Kievest]

The singing by Boswell is divine in every way...clear, elegant, warm and romantic!

The photos are equally marvelous...have never seen a photo of the young Hoagy

quite like the one you post! Thank you 240252 and to paulostroff99 for sharing!

A true gem!

[paulostroff99]

I like her more every day. TY for posting.

[dianelady52]

Smooth like creamy coffee! Very nice. I have learned something new today. She has a beautiful voice. I shall enjoy listening to Connie. Thank you for posting such great past voices. I am thrilled to discover them each time I come to YT. I had just heard Hoagy Carmichael on the radio & came to search for her name & found you. Cheers.

[bogeyat3]

of course, ed was dead by then, wonder who's on git?

[hoopjnky]

@bogeyat3 The Harry Sosnick band is playing here. Frank Signoreli on piano, Tony Gottuso guitar, Haig Stephens on string bass, and longtime Boswell Sisters and Connie Boswell percussionist Chancey Moreouse on the vibes and drums.

[sistersongstress08]

swoooooooooooooooooooooon!

[bogeyat3]

Is it Eddie Lang on guitar? Red Norvo - vibes, perhaps? I love Connie, and Hoagy. All Class. Back when America was great (no offense Yankees:\). thanks for that one.

[everybodylovesmybaby]

@bogeyat3 Eddie passed away tragically in 1933, from hemorrhaging following an operation. Connie was incredibly talented, and this is one of Hoagy's best.

[orson15]

As I've said before ( re: Connee ) the timing, the taste, the lyrical depth, without any fancy pyrotechnics, are just amazing. No wonder Ella Fitzgerald was influenced to such an extent in her straight ( non-scat ) interpretations.

[MrRedFredSaid]

One of my fave songs, and love this version of it. Connie was the best.

[Darthpsi]

Pretty, just pretty

[rodlarocque]

LOVE HER LOVE THEM ALL

[paulostroff99]

Sensational. One of the all time greatest pop vocalists.

[TheRussetWolf]

Wow! That is beautiful! This happens to be my favorite song of all time, and I think this is the best version ever! :p

[jbonifacejr]

Very nice. What a voice from that era.

[tan73h]

wonderful. thanks for posting!

[stlgtrace]

Connee Boswell - a tragically neglected and underrated singer and a beautiful and corageous lady too!

[ljliljohn]

Listen to 'In the middle of a kiss' by Connee, and then the version by Zoot Sims. A great parlay, and all on Youtube.

[JadenJeanMusic]

Thanks for posting this vid! She has fantastic vocal colors. Great rendition. I recently sang a cover of this song on my channel JadenJeanMusic. Hope you can take a look

[JubalCalif]

What a beautiful version of this immortal classic! I'd heard of the late great Ms Boswell but until now wasn't able to listen to much of her work. What an incredibly talented lady! THANK you for posting this for us to enjoy over and over! :)

[clevblue]

No you didn't,  you're useless2112

Connee was the best

[paulostroff99]

clevblue-Best female pop singer EVER!

[Useless2112]

I wrote this song.

[choralesinger]

I saw Connie perform as a child in Radio City Music Hall as a youngster & was just bowled over. This video proves that she was a singer who should never be forgotten.

[toddw420]

Thanx for the upload this song is a treasure!

[joyjoy91292]

this is beautiful.

[pekoe67]

Anyone wishing to learn this song should only listen to this version.

Listen to it one hundred times and the song will be yours forever.

Forget Nora Jones...

[everybodylovesmybaby]

240252: Any indication of who the musicians backing her up are?

[paulostroff99]

The greatest female pop singer ever!!!  Brava!

[watchmenowtakeover]

norah jones version is haunting-

[fredjmp]

Beautiful!

[78timothy]

I sing the Sinatra version of this beautiful song. Always been a fave of mine too!

[everybodylovesmybaby]

Frank Sinatra is quoted as saying that Connee was the biggest influence on everybody.

[jimthewriter]

Wonderful.

[boppobee]

I feel as if she's whispering in my ear.

Grazia Connie

[misspaddylee]

Simply lovely.

[NikolKonstante]

A great song from a great singer!

so simple - so true!!!

many thanks!!!

[Corrie121]

So old, yet so new. So soothing and so relaxing. I will never tire of listening to this magical rendition.

Thank you so much for sharing.

[Lenswims]

Connee and her sisters first came to prominence with the advent of radio. Less was more in those days. Spare me the vocal acrobatics of today's singers, including La Streisand. This is how to sing a song, simply and beautifully!

[BettyBoopWynne]

What a clear and soothing voice! Wish kids today would get the idea of a beautiful melody, all on its own, without all the unnecessary frills. Beautiful!

[NvAmA]

Im 12 and ever since I loved Classic Songs... Be Andy Willams or any other singer.

[Wafflec0r3]

@BettyBoopWynne

Don't worry some of us still know what good music sounds like. It's too early to give up on this generation.

[paulostroff99]

Simply sensational! Possibly the finest female vocalist ever!

[joelodelgado]

@paulostroff99 possibly, possibly. But its probably Ella Fitzgerald! :) who idolized connee!

[paulostroff99]

@joelodelgado -Possibly so,but they were both awesome

[fluxx2000]

i looooove this song! there are so many version but this one is very raw and rare! it's like I'm back in the 30's! thanx for this videos!

[pwarkentin2pc]

More amazing each time I hear it.

[BLUESTAR777dotCOM]

I've seen her name many times in some old record ads. This is the first time I hear her voice. I like this style of singing. Just singing it STRAIGHT. No *vocal acrobatics* that distorts the melody too much..that somehow is just plain over-acting..instead of impressing me.. hiphop style, for example Norah

[MIKEPREAMP]

Connie spelled her name "Connee" when giving out autographs because there was no "i" to

go back and dot. Easier when signing a large

number of autographs.

[groovekitty70]

Nie ma za co. I think the arrangement also compliments the beauty of the broad vocal line. There is an underlying energy to scaffold her simple, yet playful, delivery. It's almost like she is winking at you as she's singing.

[groovekitty70]

Any relation to Kate Boswell?

I love this rendition...but I always hated this song. I think more modern singers over-"torch" it. This has restored my faith in the tune.

[guitaress1]

This is a lovely ballad, but Connie could also swing it with the best of 'em on a rhythm tune.

[moneymasterjet]

Ella said Connie was her biggest (maybe only) vocal influence.

[pekoe67]

will some nerd help me out? who's playing guitar? i guess this request is a time capsule and i'll get a response in 24 years...

[everybodylovesmybaby]

Pekoe: You're right, it's a time capsule. I'm not certain, but I think it's the great Eddie Lang.

[pekoe67]

That would be my first guess if Eddie wasn't long dead by 1940.

[jp334578]

Eddie Lang died in 1933, but he influenced many of the guitarist who came after him. Carl Kress could have played on this recording, Dick McDonough died in 1938. There are many other possibilities. Whoever it was, it is a wonderful recording.

[hoopjnky]

This is the Harry Sosnik orchestra, guitar is Tony Gottuso, Frank Signorelli on the piano, Haig Stevens on string bass and Connie's long-time percussionist Chauncey Morehouse on the vibes and drums.

[erlnyc]

can you point me to where to get this song on cd or download?

[bplatt1069]

As a classically trained singer, I can state with certainty that Connee's technique is solid and most admirable--an even, rich tone throughout her range with no strain or pretentious manipulation. This, coupled with her artistic phrasing and expression, put her in the same category as all the great masters of bel canto.

[everybodylovesmybaby]

Connee Boswell said she learned breath control by listening to recordings of Enrico Caruso.

[paulostroff99]

Agreed drk!None better.

[hoopjnky]

Connee recorded this number, along with Blueberry Hill, Nobody's Sweetheart, and Dinah, on Augst 22, 1940. Her velvety delivery is never better.