She also topped the R&B chart with "Mr. Five by Five" in 1942.
Topping the R&B chart was very rare for white artists back then. I think the only other white artists to top the R&B chart it in all of the 1940's was Bing Crosby with "White Christmas" and Dick Haymes with "You'll Never Know".
She was SO COOL! In fact, this tune hipped me to the fact that my parrot digs swing. No lie! I was singing "Shoo-Shoo Baby" one day and the bird went nuts! Totally dug it! Dancing around the cage, bobbing, head nodding, the whole bit. Turn out he likes Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman too. Cool to have a bird with such good musical taste.
What an era of talented music. Thanks to my upbringing, I'm thankful to have such a hunger for big band. This is nice and smooth. At 41, I'm proud to be a jazz fan. Living life is Lindying to swing.
Up until now I only knew of the Andrews Sisters version. Which I loved. But this is even better. Her Texan swing adds such a delicious edge. I assume she was a big part of the melting pot which cooked-up Rockabiily Country Boogie. Thank you for this. Its too cool.
Up until now I only knew of the Andrews Sisters version. Which I loved. But this is even better. Her Texan swing adds such a delicious edge. I assume she was a big part of the melting pot which cooked-up Rockabiily Country Boogie. Thank you for this. Its too cool.
@Sprongo "Up until now I only knew of the Andrews Sisters version. Which I loved. But this is even better." The Dinah Washington version from the same period is a little hard to find, but imo the best. There's a CD by her called _Anthology_ that includes it.
The coolest and swinginest lady of Boogie Woogie (Anita O'Day ran her a close second). I'm 69 years old and I remember this stuff being played on the radio. Blacksmith Blues was probably her biggest hit when I was a kid in the 8th grade. It's not close to her best song, but it rocked. Whenever I hear her voice, well, she moves me, Brother! What else can I say?
Ella Mae is simply incomparable. The perfect storm of abundant physical charms and tremendous vocal talent. Her superb boogie-woogie sensibility meshed perfectly with Freddie Slack's and we are gifted with the product of their collaberation.
I've never heard of this singer until just today? (But then the era had many fantastic ones so it's not difficult to understand how some can fly under the radar) She had a tremendous voice and movie star good looks. Love the sound of a really well-restored recording from 1943, too. Imagine how good these songs would have sounded back in the day, live in a room with good acoustics?
Hi Joan: Thought you'd be interested to know I've got Ella Mae singing this number on video - from the film "South of Dixie." As always, thanks for your great postings.
This song got to #1 on the R&B chart in 1943.
She also topped the R&B chart with "Mr. Five by Five" in 1942.
Topping the R&B chart was very rare for white artists back then. I think the only other white artists to top the R&B chart it in all of the 1940's was Bing Crosby with "White Christmas" and Dick Haymes with "You'll Never Know".
BigSleepyOx 2 months ago
Rings with sex - outclasses any of todays warblers by far.
medmond6 5 months ago
what the FUCK is this song?
siddique20 8 months ago
@siddique20 Not for you obviously :)
corinnabambina 1 month ago
I really like her sound ... it has a little soul to it ...
diva4tv 8 months ago
She was SO COOL! In fact, this tune hipped me to the fact that my parrot digs swing. No lie! I was singing "Shoo-Shoo Baby" one day and the bird went nuts! Totally dug it! Dancing around the cage, bobbing, head nodding, the whole bit. Turn out he likes Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman too. Cool to have a bird with such good musical taste.
budgienation 8 months ago
frank sinatra sang this too. I wish someone would post his version too.I love this song thanks for posting
honeybee7700 10 months ago
What an era of talented music. Thanks to my upbringing, I'm thankful to have such a hunger for big band. This is nice and smooth. At 41, I'm proud to be a jazz fan. Living life is Lindying to swing.
ellaswing 10 months ago
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Up until now I only knew of the Andrews Sisters version. Which I loved. But this is even better. Her Texan swing adds such a delicious edge. I assume she was a big part of the melting pot which cooked-up Rockabiily Country Boogie. Thank you for this. Its too cool.
Sprongo 11 months ago
Up until now I only knew of the Andrews Sisters version. Which I loved. But this is even better. Her Texan swing adds such a delicious edge. I assume she was a big part of the melting pot which cooked-up Rockabiily Country Boogie. Thank you for this. Its too cool.
Sprongo 11 months ago
@Sprongo "Up until now I only knew of the Andrews Sisters version. Which I loved. But this is even better." The Dinah Washington version from the same period is a little hard to find, but imo the best. There's a CD by her called _Anthology_ that includes it.
scottjoen 3 months ago
Yes agree! YouTube Rules!!! Without YouTube my life would be a lot poorer...
RockabillyWilly1 1 year ago
The coolest and swinginest lady of Boogie Woogie (Anita O'Day ran her a close second). I'm 69 years old and I remember this stuff being played on the radio. Blacksmith Blues was probably her biggest hit when I was a kid in the 8th grade. It's not close to her best song, but it rocked. Whenever I hear her voice, well, she moves me, Brother! What else can I say?
ekw 1 year ago
she was delightful and hip as all get out lovered here sitting here tapping my foot with a tear in my eye
huntere692 1 year ago
this is amazing!
ZandWheet 1 year ago
Was her only number 1 hit (R&B) Dec 1943. Prelude to early Rock & Roll. Bill Haley loved her. They both came from Texas
hajune 1 year ago
Ella Mae is simply incomparable. The perfect storm of abundant physical charms and tremendous vocal talent. Her superb boogie-woogie sensibility meshed perfectly with Freddie Slack's and we are gifted with the product of their collaberation.
problem49 1 year ago
I've never heard of this singer until just today? (But then the era had many fantastic ones so it's not difficult to understand how some can fly under the radar) She had a tremendous voice and movie star good looks. Love the sound of a really well-restored recording from 1943, too. Imagine how good these songs would have sounded back in the day, live in a room with good acoustics?
motownmaniax 1 year ago
Must have been comforting during the war.
StickWarrior 1 year ago
Not just great music, but clear and strong! Sounds extra fine!
59cadcoupe 1 year ago
Thanks post person!!
chinzebo 2 years ago
We loved this from ella,one of the favorites of swamppoodle in north phila.many moons ago,heap good.
sladedude44 2 years ago
I heard ella music coming from open doors of soda fountains, hoagy shops and bars,in the good old summer times in my old nabe.
sladedude44 2 years ago 2
Ella really knew how to swing .. just like the other Ella F.
TheScrabblenut 2 years ago 2
i was in the throws of my teen years and I loved her. Looking back I realize she was a better singer than I realized at the time.
Charliebear65 2 years ago
I'd die without You Tube.
mightycloudofjoy 2 years ago 13
Thanks for posting. What a wonderful song! It's a shame that no one performs it anymore!
iggyzonly1 2 years ago 2
What are you talking about?
I heard it performed just last week!
Luckynumber78 2 years ago
Thanks!
marbleflat 2 years ago
Thanks very much for sharing all this great music,
pimsquirt 2 years ago
Hey - this is great! So many singers I'm discovering through YouTube.
layde1 3 years ago 21
same here
zaces083 2 years ago
Hi Joan: Thought you'd be interested to know I've got Ella Mae singing this number on video - from the film "South of Dixie." As always, thanks for your great postings.
sandaglad 3 years ago