Anita O'Day- The Man I Love

[RAMLIA1]

So wonderfull!

[mk181818]

She had absolutely phenomenal feeling of Jazz and syncopated bit ... 

[cuoylyf]

Excellent!

[mehiko11]

On Thanksgiving day,23.november 2006,at age 87,O'Day died in

her sleep.The official cause of death was cardiac arrest.

Rest in peace Anita.

[46619TAB]

@mehiko11 Anita will always be with her fans and she'll NEVER be alone!

[qt8625]

Smooth.

[DeedleDeedleDumplin]

Luv her !

[honeybee7700]

just beautiful

[963821]

1st rate- that's it. no need to categorize or compare.

[Kasbahkabaret]

Super smooth and evocative of love's heat.

[lcnmezzetta]

Yes jburidan, amazing.

[rocsil]

Sorry I heard this music for the first time when I was about tem years old, a long time ago.

After so many years at about two years ago I heard it again and I remembered this song. That’s funny how I loved this song at the time and kept it on my mind.

Is there anyone who can explain this?

Thank you George Gershwin for this lovely music.

[echo680]

@rocsil i had a similar thing...although maybe a few years later-saw / heard tea for two and sweet georgia brown from "jazz on summers day" maybe 30 years ago-only heard again a few years ago..but always stuck with me like you said , i think just because such a truly great performance ...was quite gratifying listening back thinking the 16 year old me had good taste. this similarly great performance, cool choice of notes - the real deal makes a deep impression ?

[honeybee7700]

sensational

[brianallancobb]

Just read her autobiography. What a hep chick.

[morecontacts]

The first time I saw Anita I was about 13 (In England) - I saw the wonderful movie "Jazz on a Summers Day" - a classic - and so was she! I was blown-away even then by her beauty, her talent and her unique approach to music. Many , many years later, having moved to New Zealand, my brother sent a copy to me then after a few more years I got to see her, listen to her sing and talk to her one night in Auckland - along with the great drummer Louis Bellson. Both were amazing! Thanks for the memory

[meltmyfacejesus]

i've never heard of her b4 today but her voice is nice and strong. I like her :-)

[jmagnuslee]

just another master amongst masters that we so easily dismiss..

[WinstonsPapa]

Anita was and will always be a collosal GIANT among giants! Her tenacity was most admirable when the press tried to ruin her from her vices that became public. Still, through it all, she rose above the occasion and conquered all our hearts with her tenacity and vibe!

[Jadedjago]

@WinstonsPapa . Anita's upbringing was not ideal. She became very independent at a very early age. Her dream was to become a great singer, and come hell or high water, she was not going to be denied. She had a long rocky life. How she ever lived to the age of 87 is a complete miracle. Just one of the greatest ever. She didn't get her fame on American Idol. She got it the hard way. She earned it. I love this lady.

[midmodgal]

i'm a bit of a Johnny-come -lately to Anita but thats o.k. Fresh new sounds for me!!

[woodlawn4623]

She did this song back in the 50's on Norgran label which was later reissued on a 4 album cd as "An evening with anita oday" +3 other albums,and that earlier version of "Man" is colossally better than this one. Sidemen included Barney Kessel on guitar. Album included gypsy in my soul,one of those things, lets fall in love etc etc and all primo non-commercial performances as in jam session mode. Outstanding, esp on the Norgran LP>

[loulou2lou]

She is great at phrasing and in that sense she reminds me of Billie.

[carseggie55]

I just love this version

[mafketays]

For sure, she was a great iconic jazz musician. I think there are two reasons that are a lot more important than her race in understanding why she's not as widely known as Billie or Sarah or Ella:

1.She's a bit of an acquired taste. Her innovative phrasing takes a while to get used to and can be off putting to more casual listeners.

2. The others mentioned could function all along the pop-jazz spectrum while stylistically O'Day was more restricted to the jazz end.

[Blonesito]

ESPECTACULAR SIN PALABRAS

[Blonesito]

ESTA ES UNA MAGISTRAL INTERPRETACIÓN EN LA CUAL TODO HOMBRE QUERRÍA SER OBJETO DE SU LETRA ,QUE UNA MUJER LO IDEALICE DE TAL FORMA ES REALMENTE ESPECTACULAR :QUE BELLO ES AMAR Y SER AMADO ASÍ

[andrewcostly2]

Black or White. She is certainly one of the best female jazz singers of all times. As to why she was never as famous, I'm not sure about that. But, Im if first heard about her from watcing a documentry about her on Netflix, and Im so glad I did.

'

[paul51]

@andrewcostly2 hi, I also never knew of Anita . . . was turned onto her about a month or so ago from a bio I caught on the Bio Channel . . . I was, and am, amazed by her vocal / talent.

[Mayjayy]

@andrewcostly2 Ahhh i agree, I don't understand that. She could be just as popular as Ella and Billie. Shes that good. Haha have you heard sing sing sing? the scat solo is amazing. also have you noticed how she says hwy? isnt of why. haha

[susuemikado]

@Mayjayy In my family all well brought up young ladies had to say "hwy"....I have no idea hwy :)

[Mayjayy]

@susuemikado hahahaha oh realllyyy? are you american? which part from? if you are.

[susuemikado]

@Mayjayy Born in the British West Indies then raised in Chicago :)

[strangerseducer]

@andrewcostly2 ME TOO!

[Jadedjago]

@andrewcostly2 Anita was as famous as any jazz singer of her era, and beyond. After Jazz On A Summer Day was released, she got a tremedous boost when many of the great girl singers of the 30s, 40s, and early 50s had faded. She was loved in Europe and worshiped in Japan. She lived every song she sang.

[direfranchement]

@snatchhog

Are you kidding? Childish comments from a childish mind. She was better than neither of them and it's ridiculous to compare such different styles. They were all great and at their level in the game, there is no such notion as one "better than" the other--it all comes to personal preference.

[snatchhog]

@direfranchement LMAO

[cathykelly]

I just saw the biography as well and now have her music on my iPod. She uses her voice like a jazz instrument.

[JAZZOLOGIST1]

Anita was a legend, became one almost as soon as she started her career. She was so truly feminine and sexy - without the brash 'in your face' crudeness of today. When with Kenton she vibrated. The great June Christy was the same, they both realised that Kenton was the man who took jazz by the scruff of the neck and shouted "grow up, THIS is how jazz will be".

[paul51]

@JAZZOLOGIST1 I did not know a THING about Anita until last night when I caught her life story on the Bio Channel . . . SHAME ON ME!! This lady was such a vocalist. I was absolutely floored when I saw her performances for the first time last night . . . she is right up there with Miss Holiday . . . I am now, be it a few years late, an absolute fan!!

[CheckMate657879]

Why can't people just enjoy this music? All the comparing and fussing... Why do you listen to good music that soothes your soul? Shouldn't that calm some of you down? Why not enjoy this artist for what she does and enjoy other artists for what they do? And, call it a day.

[7jazzmiss]

I agree with jburidan an average singer sings 2 or 2/12 octaves....i am sick of hearing that 7 octave c@@p, cause that is what it is...

[ATIRAERREPI]

Anita O'Day, her "rich smoky voice, sophisticated good looks and unique phrasing made her a performer who inspired ecstatic joy and awe, was considered the only white female singer in the same jazz league as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan"

Enjoy R.P. ATIRAERREPI

[Jazsngr]

Anita is one of my all time favorite singers. This song will attest to that. Can anyone deny that? She is so great!

[Jazsngr]

I didn't hear about her "problems" till after her death..so there's that!..During her day it wasn't advertised that she had problems so you know how it is....audiences love people with problems!!!

[Jazsngr]

If any of you don't think Anita can scat, then you seriously need to listen to "Sweet Georgia Brown" at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. She changes key signature THREE times. As far as Ella and Billie are concerned, I once read that when Ella sang about a man leaving, you knew he was coming back, when Billie sang about it, you knew he wasn't. All three women were different vocally and equally wonderful. Sarah "Sassy" Vaughn HATED "Broken Hearted Melody."

[erscott13]

Well, why is she so obscure compared to other female singers? Anyone have an idea?

[unclebobunclebob]

@erscott13 She wasn't obscure. What are you talking about? In the jazz world she was a giant. But then, in the jazz world, you have to listen and search out greatness...just a little...instead of having it handed to you on a platter like with pop.

[erscott13]

Thank you for the information, unclebobunclebob. I suppose what I was talking about was, as you put it, "in the jazz world she was a giant." Outside the jazz world, I'm not so sure. I live outside the jazz world, so you could say I was talking about my own ignorance!

Happy New Year to you!

[MikeIdy6000]

Probably because you're under 50

[pking4hjg]

Jazz is not an age thing, it's a head thing. Not many people still alive remember big band and the bee boppers are dying off fast, too. But there are kids in every city in the world, science geeks, math geeks, music nuts, 12, 15, 19, 24 yo, who collect Coltrane, Parker, Gillespie, Armstrong, Chet Baker, Sarah, Ella, Anita, Billie. These kids don't know Taylor Swift from Usher or whoever. Their interest is Jazz and they're out there.

[MikeIdy6000]

Thanks for that insight - it's good to know that there are still 'youngsters' out there with minds of their own; who don't have to be told who they're supposed to like!

[Getzwho]

You're right thank God. Jazz gets into your blood, Saw Stephan Grapelli's 85th birthday concert London and 50% of a packed audience were youngsters.

[NunzOnDrugs]

Nobody sings like Anita. She was nearly 60 years old when she recorded this and her voice remained untouched by the ravages of age. Those who say Anita ruined her voice with her drinking and drug use should sit down and listen to this song.

[ANRITURTULLI]

I want to free download this version!

please where can i find it

?

[gilraenn29]

anita and billy were high as kites when they sang, what is so honest about that?

she was fabulous, no doubt about it, so if you want to be soulful you could probably take drugs, but there were others who were soulful without them, take ella for instance, and many, many others, hmm

[pking4hjg]

I don't think, nor according to Anita's autobio, did she, that drugs had any part in her "soulful sound." Heroin was a significant part of be bop and cool jazz. Many people did it. Anita did it for 16 years. When it impacted her health she got off it and lived to be 87, which is certainly older than I want to live to be. Why all the turpitude around taking drugs? What difference does it make? Ella had a prettier voice but O'Day was more creative vocally. Those are the differences.

[gilraenn29]

I saw a video on tv and Anita was telling the host when she was high, while they were showing clips of singing, the host couldnt believe it. As for Ella, she suffered from diabetes for years n at the time, pple who had died early like a friend of mine did. Ella lost her legs later in life. My fave is Ella and she used her own pain in her life to sing the way she did - we all have our faves. Anita O Day continued to struggle with addiction all of her life, as she admitted in the video I saw.

[gilraenn29]

If you've never been onstage then no you wouldnt understand why drugs wld be a big deal when performing in any medium. Your inhibitions r released chemically, but to do it raw, without the drugs, for all to hear and see is a phenomenal feat. Dont get me wrong, she is fabulous, but taking drugs is tantamount to cheating on one's talent. A's vocal gyrations aregreat, but Ella's were always superb; no one cld scat like that.

[gilraenn29]

Ella had a prettier voice cuz she didn't wreck it with booze/drugs.

[pking4hjg]

But Sarah Vaughan has a prettier voice than Ella and was a heroin addict and an alcoholic. The beauty in someone's voice is genetic. Vaughan had a 7 octave voice. If the tickets are sold you have to perform sick or not. Take a shot of heroin and you no longer know you're sick. That why performers do it. Never get sick, no need to do it. If Ella never got sick, she deserves no special credit except for her constitution.

[kgchris]

Wait. Vaughn's voice prettier than Ella's? Wh-wh-what? Give me some examples, perhaps a few recordings. I probably have them.

[pking4hjg]

The fun of comparing these singers is that they all sang the same songs. Compare Ella's MY MAN GONE NOW, to any of Sarah's and what I say is clear as day. Sarah could sing bass to soprano and used this unique ability in her best work. She not only was a better singer than Ella, she was probably the most amazing female voice ever recorded.

[MikeIdy6000]

I agree with you. I saw Sarah in concert e+very chance I got throughout the 70's and 80's and her virtuosity always amazed her audience.. The Ella vs. Sarah debate will never end. Both left hours of music which I, for one, will never tire of.

[kgchris]

Right on, Anita nor Vaughn can be compared to Ella, and vice versa.

[MexNortheastTaste]

Beautiful !!!

[kgchris]

Soul gives you goosebumps. I like Anita Day, she had a very sultry, classy voice. However, Billie Holiday, especially prior to the 1940s, is a million times better!

[pking4hjg]

"A million times better"? I gotta hear this. What song that Holiday sang was "a million times better" than when O'Day sang it? Holiday, Fitzgerald, Vaughan and O'Day are on equal footing. They each have things the others don't, but they're the Pantheon of female Jazz. There's not a modern singer out of the best conservatories in the world who can hold and candle to any one of them... yet!

[claptonfan1000000]

@pking4hjg Hear Bille Holiday with her orchestra sing "The Man I love" in the late thirtees! I think Lester Young is on that too.

[pking4hjg]

I have Les & Billie on my iPod. It's great. But "a million times better," is nonsensical prejudice. Anita O'Day acknowledged her debt to Billie Holiday. Billie did exactly what she was able to do. Anita brought the mind of a musician to the element of voice. While Billie was a natural talent, O'Day was a genius.

[kgchris]

It is said that Lester Young and Billie Holiday were "one."

[kgchris]

I suggest you listen and listen closely to Billie Holiday recordings dated BEFORE 1940s (before heroin gave her that sort of raspy voice later on). Everyone has their opinion, but Billie's voice in her early career undoubtedly trumps the voice of Anita and Vaughn. I excluded Ella Fitzgerald because she CANNOT be put in the same category. Ella's voice is amazing, and it is undisputed that she is one the best, but Ella could not sing blues. Her voice was too pure. She was commercial.

[pking4hjg]

Billie Holiday belongs at the top of the pantheon that includes Mamie Smith, Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter, and the great blues singers. She is NOT a singer in the sense of Ella, Sarah, & O'Day, or even Mahalia Jackson. Billie had a little trick in her voice which is very pleasant to listen to. Madeline Peyroux can do the same thing to equally enjoyable results. The "raspy" later Holiday recordings are better for the songs she sang. Holiday did not really sing jazz.

[kgchris]

She attempted a few jazz tunes, but blues were her forte. The raspy was complimentary, but her voice prior to that was even better.

[pking4hjg]

Well, we disagree and I begin to wonder if your opinions are based on listening or on some book you read.

[kgchris]

My opinions are influenced by many things; listening being the most influential.

[ExistentiaDementia]

@pking4hjg LOL Bille also had a perfect swing and improvised the melody every time she sang. Just because she didn't scat that doesn't mean it wasn't jazz. She also wrote two of the most widely sang jazz standards. Mahalia Jackson was unarguably a gospel singer. What are you talking about??

[pking4hjg]

Billie was a fine singer. Her great success was due to the uniqueness of her vocal performance, like Jimmy Scott, or Louis Armstrong. She did not have great vocal range like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Anita O'Day... or Mahalia Jackson. That's my point. Not pigeon holes records companies devised to sell records.

[Getzwho]

Come on you lot !! Class ended weeks ago !! Right listen to Britain !! Sarah was better than Ella?ok and in my book by a fair margin Agreed Anita was genius. But just listen to Betty Roche singing 'A' train as a rendition of song plus scat Amazingly good. Julie London ' Boy on a Dolphin' June Christie ' Midnight Sun' Breathtaking as were most of em on their day. ...But Anita ? Something else !!

[windstorm1000]

@pking4hjg Right---we shouldn't be comparing which star glitters better--they all bring something to song and are incomparable..Room for different interpretations!!

[spam32]

Is her lisp due to her surgery?

[jamesmaseobrown]

Anita was a jazz singer heart and soul. It's even a pleasure watching her clips because you can tell that she enjoyed it so much. She sang from her soul.

[ghaleonx128]

how does a person sing from their soul, i'd like an reasoning.

[plangentmusic]

If you need an explanation, you'll probably never understand it. It's an honesty and a profundity and is recognizable to those who seek such things.

[pking4hjg]

I know what you mean. Of course 'soul' is a euphemism. Try this, listen to Lauren Bacal sing "And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine" in her movie, The Big Sleep, then listen to Anita O'Day's hit record of the same song. The difference you hear in the O'Day performance is what these folks mean by "soul."

[68shamoa]

a beautiful breathy voice! so nice!

[megustalagata]

Amazing singer and song. Awesome !

[Jazsngr]

It's cuz she was white...is a completely honest comment and so true...unfortunately there are people out there who think that Caucasian (white) people can't sing anything but Opera, but hey! what about Kathleen Battle, Jesse Norman, etc. who are Black singing Opera? Why doesn't anybody ever criticize that? I think it's bunk! If you feel it , you CAN sing it and everyone should just let it be!

[DaaanceYouLoser]

So true.. SO true.

[kgchris]

Jaznger, anyone who thinks White women can't sing jazz or blues needs to listen to Lena Horne IMMEDIATELY.

[cumbrianruss]

Lena Horne is white? I'd prefer to think of her as mixed race but . . .

[kgchris]

Well yes, if you want to get technical then she's "mixed race" - we're all "mixed." But when I look at Lena, and others will agree, I see a white woman with a soulful voice. And still, at 92 (maybe 93 now), she still turns out a fantastic tune. I love Lena Horne.

[cumbrianruss]

I'm glad you love her. However, her career suffered due to racial segregation. At the time, she was considered black. Beautiful; yes. Great singer; yes. Calling her white is a disservice to the fight she has fought. I'd rather join you in celebrating a great black singer.

[NakedSuit]

@Jazsngr Give it up, we all are "Black" at some level. DNA aside whose to say Anita did not have some "Black" ancestor. Look at Oprah Sharing DNA with the Presley's.

Anita is genius soul at all levels. Her stage presence, her mike presence, her magnificent voice. All in all this lady was pure Jazz in any and all derivations. There will never be another.

I believe that if Anita did not give up on America people like me growing up in the 60's would not have Anita missing from our music.

[brianallancobb]

@Jazsngr

Not sure she was white. Looks pretty mixed race to me.

[priapus56]

@brianallancobb Man, you wanna polish-up dem specs!

[brianallancobb]

@priapus56

Ever seen a photo of her parents?

[KVID1000]

@brianallancobb Her vocal chords were the same colour as everyone elses. : ))

[2242871]

Que Lindo,Hermosa Interpretación.

[ljliljohn]

Listen to her on 'Boogie Blues' with Krupa.

[barbarajayne]

Wow, where have I been? I am a HUGE Billie Holiday fan and just now discovered Anita only because she DIED! She was WONDERFUL. She's got me as a fan now. So sad...why was she so obscure compared to other Jazz singers?

[Barbaraplease]

better late than never. glad you found her!

[gmlch]

a singers' singers' singer!

[phronie125]

I'm an old fossil now, but, I knew about Anita O'Day from the beginning. Certainly she's in the company of Ella and Billie. A great singer.

[Kallypso1981]

i agree completely!

[JimmieBluffdweller]

I discovered Anita when I was 13 from a 1950's album I found in my parents collection. It was hard to find her LPs in that era (early 1970's) but I found live albums and devoured them. In recent years many of the early albums became available on CD, but most of the later small ensemble albums are still only on vinyl. In many ways it was through her that I learned to appreciate Jazz.

[450984]

Excellent! The best version ever! Timing, melody and rhythm!  Underrated to say the least. Always appreciated by those who knew!

[01jazzman01]

a lesson for all jazz singers

01jazzman01

[grenadian11]

A Joy to hear; devine!

[momosmamma]

ahhh cute!!! love this song :*}

[jazzart1]

great!!!absolutely!!**********­****

[paulfx]

I've listened to this thing a dozen times over the past week, and each time it's not quite the same.

[Cocobrun]

What kind of force could have been against this woman? How is it that I am just getting to know her? Her name should have been spoken the same as Ella and Billie. Life sure is strange!

[ccaammiiittoo]

Amen to that! But those of us who are old enough accept O'Day as being in the company of Ella and Billie. A stay-up-late cafe was an excellent venue to enjoy this great jazz talent.

[freitasdeoliveira]

she was for the jazz fanatics not so mainstream and she was a fantastic full of joy person... you should go to npr and listen to an interview when she died that was done before years before her death... is so inspirational! truly i am so devoted and keep discovering more and more music ... going on the 10th album...

[freitasdeoliveira]

and sorry forgot ... she was the first woman to be signed by Verve before Billie and Ella... she was just wild!

[Baboocrew]

Oh honey, Miss Anita has been around and around.  Where have you been that you've never heard of her? She IS as iconic as Ella and Billie to most jazz fans.

[Cocobrun]

Believe me, I was wondering the same thing! Better to know of her now than never.

[kgchris]

Anita is not as iconic as Ella to who has a complex understanding of music. Ella is known as the first lady of song, she mastered and made popular "scat" singing....Anita did what?

[pking4hjg]

Anita was singing "scat" while Ella was singing A tisket a tasket. Listen to the collection The Young Anita and hear how early Anita O'Day was singing progressive jazz. You take a polite intro from Frank Sinatra and turn it into "a complex understanding of music." Please!

[jburidan]

I share almost all your opinions, except the 7 octave range of a voice. It is more like a urban legend , and is almost physically impossible (I´m physicist). Great opera voices like Jessie Norman, or Marilyn Horne has ranges of 3.5 or 4 octaves, and these are very trained voices. I posted Anita because IMO has one of the most amazing innate musicality I have ever heard on a musician (classical or popular), and this is independent of the size of the voice. Forgive my bad english

[pking4hjg]

Listen to Vaughn's Embraceable You. She covers nearly her entire range in that one song. Unique in a pop performance. Anita was not as untrained as she appears. She chose drummers who could read & write music as her lovers and was adept at reading scores and adapting them to her vocal range. Her autobio is fascinating if you're interested in how an abused girl makes herself a great and popular artist.

[ExistentiaDementia]

@pking4hjg I read her bio. She wasn't really abused. She abused herself mostly. LOL. Also Ella scats in a tisket a tasket so I don't know what point you're trying to make. Both were brilliant. Why the Ella hate?

[pking4hjg]

I don't hate Ella. Quite the contrary. I do think she's been lifted beyond her contribution to music. Verve Records first colossal hits were due to Anita O'Day. Then they signed Ella and promoted Ella. The label was more interested in racial equality than in justice to their artists. They created a black superstar and for that they should be applauded. For writing off the artist who gave them their start, they should be condemned.

[ExistentiaDementia]

@pking4hjg sorry I meant to reply to this comment.

[paul51]

@Baboocrew . . . hi . . . add me to the list of the "just discovered Anita" group . . .where was I that I just never heard of her? I could just slap myself, in a good way. I was turned onto Anita when I caught a bio of her on the bio channel; I was absolutely dumb founded, and kicked to the curb by her fabulous vocals . . . I am. What a talent Anita was. Thank Baby Jesus for YouTube for those of us that "just never knew" of Anita.

[DjangoBop]

Let's be honest (Anita was) it was the drugs that undermined her legacy. Her worst addition occurred at a pivotal and inopportune time in her career and in jazz music .

PS Check out the version of this same song on "An Evening With Anita O'Day" My favorite Anita tune.

[Kenya101]

I never understood that. Billie was a junkie, along with the company of Miles, Chet, Charlie, Moody, and honestly too many others to name. Yet her legacy was barely recognized and she was terribly scrutinized when Billie was idolized like a Saint. Not that I'm knocking any of the people I've just named they were all AMAZING people and musicians. But Anita was in a league all her own, and yet it didn't matter. And hell, she kicked the habit AND was honest about her past! I just don't get it. : (

[eugatm]

its cuz she was white...

[pking4hjg]

That's it. The Jazz press and labels got behind promoting black artists and undermining their white artists, regardless of talent. Dinah Shore went on Television because she picked her lovers politically. Anita picked her lover in terms of what they could teach her, but they were musicians, not business men. A lesson to be learned there!

[ExistentiaDementia]

@pking4hjg You're leaving out the fact that Anita O'day had a pretty severe drug problem and Ella did not. Making Ella essentially more reliable and easier to deal with. She also had maintained healthy collaborative relationships with the greats of the day whereas Anita's unpredictability created a lot of burnt bridges.

[Getzwho]

Sad but true.

[Getzwho]

Dinah was a star as was Anita. But remember this, Kenton wanted Anita, and then he signed June Christie. Vaughan was also great esp. in duet with Eckstine

[pking4hjg]

Anita introduced Kenton to Shirley Luster because Anita wanted a solo career. Kenton chose Luster because her vocal range was the same as Anita's and no change had to be made to the charts. As June Christie, Luster had hits with Tampico & How High The Moon, originally arranged for Anita. Anita did express regrets she left Kenton without recording those great songs.

[Getzwho]

Thanks for the informed view. How did you hear of O'Day's wish to have recorded those ? Did you play with Kenton ? Tell ! Also how you formed opinion re politics ie Dinah V Anita 's lovers and the ir values ? Interesting.

[pking4hjg]

It's all in Anita's autobio, "High Times & Hard Times." If you're interested in music at all, it's a must read. There are lots of good bios of Jazz greats, but Anita's is up close and personal. If I'd played with Kenton, I'd be over 100 today. Anita speaks very candidly about Dinah Shore & June Christie.

[Getzwho]

Also tell me your opinion of Christie's version of Midnight Sun ?? Mine is that it' was / is marvellous

[pking4hjg]

I remember her best for "When You Wish Upon A Star." "Midnight Sun" is one of her big hits. I think she's very derivative of Anita in vocal quality and arrangement, but that said, she's a brilliant Anita clone. As a Jazz singer, I think she fits with Julie London and Doris Day, in the second tier of professional artists.

[Getzwho]

I'd put Julie London in a higher frame because of one little known song which she did with wonderful masterley all round skill " Boy On A Dolphin " My favourite restaurant in Edinburgh had the theme of that song as an all round the room mural. ( L'Aperatif ) However with you on the theme of Anita. Used to have vinyl of hers-wish still had she's the business. I'll get the gen on her thanks. You'd only have been 90 !!

[pking4hjg]

I have all of Julie's recordings. She and other brought beautiful voices to Jazz. The Pantheon: Ella, Sarah, Anita, Billie used voices like instruments singing in a unique way that is each of their own. I listened to Anita's Verve recording of "Them There Eyes" this morning. What she does to it is so completely different from other recording of same, it's chilling. Difference between workman & artist. Anita died at 86 a few years ago and she was the youngest in the band by far.

[Getzwho]

If you have boy on a dolphin then A launch it on her and B let me know ? By way some of Kentons stuff was pdg!!

[kgchris]

Billie Holiday was a nobody when she was alive. No one really knew who Billie was. However, she was a superstar in Paris and in other parts of Europe.

[pking4hjg]

kgchris, were you alive when Billie was alive? You really don't know what you're talking about. Billie Holiday was the Beyonce of her day. She was a top selling American recording artist and much more popular then than she is now.

[Getzwho]

AND Cotton club really a sell out ?Didn't you know that for a period she had to hook to live ? Prob how she was taken into the drug thing. As above listen to Betty Roche with Duke on A train ( Ellington Uptown)

[brooklynrambler]

No. Her drummer of 30 years John Poole got her into smack.

[Getzwho]

Just to clear a point. Re hooking I was referring to Billie H. and the drugs comment referred to BH But yes I knew Anita was on it.

[groovyplanet]

love the mood.

[DHX123DHX]

perfect voice and timing, great!!!