Skylark - Maxine Sullivan

[wolfattack97]

This version is so beautiful.

I listened, and Olstead's version was god awful?

[Jems17]

So I only just discoverd Maxine Sullivan... Oh my God! Where has she been all my life?!

[bluegardenia29]

beautiful! love that 40's sound.

[Jamesmac30]

Thanks - this is a new discovery as i have never heard of Maxine sullivan

[Sprongo]

Is this the acknowledged, difinitive version of this song.

[Duncaneporter]

AH - THIS WAS A TIME IN HISTORY! Crazy as a Lark - Indeed! Great Tune Chris - Thanks! Alot!

[pipkinsweetgrass]

Best. Ever. Rendition.

[voidforpurpose]

Purest version and most heartfelt for the mood.

Perfection!

[paulostroff99]

TY Direfranchmount for posting

[TheIsraDave]

Gorgeous tune, wonderful rendition.

[persevere4]

@Direfranchmement - some people don't know what a jazz classic standard (one of Mercer's best) should sound like and what or whoever this Olstead is I would bet you if the other real greats could not top Ms Sullivan on this partiular song I very much doubt In the true jazz genre whomever will either, it is though Mercer wrote this for Maxine, this happens from time to time don’t know why I’ve heard all the others no strain here all as smooth as - listen for yourself - Geez

[morhywaden]

So no one sings Skylark like Renee Olstead? Thank god, say I.

It seems nowadays that slight tilts of the head , clipped phrasing & shouting into a microphone passes for interpretation.Of all the many worthy performances of this song Dinah Shore, Helen Forrest etc. I think this version by Maxine Sullivan must rank as one of the best. For my money it is the best & a delightful discovery.

[direfranchement]

@morhywaden

Amen! Maxine Sullivan holds a special place on my sacred shelf of jazz singers. She was a tiny lady with a huge sense of swing.

[paulostroff99]

@morhywaden -This Maxine Sullivan is definitily the best version of this lovely song.

[paulostroff99]

@morhywaden -I could not agree any stronger.This IMHO is the best version ever recorded.

[Mammala55]

my favorite, by Maxine!

[ChristophePhilippe]

Sullivan's brand of detachment suited this song's musical style perfectly. I can't think of a better version.

[Zipemova1]

A masterpiece! Sweet! Love Ella Fitzgerald version in her Mercer's Songbook album..

[closetome]

Ummm...so good

[erjoh1]

Skylark has been sung by many. Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Helen Forrest, Maxine Sullivan, Bette Midler and probably many more. But nobody sings it like Renee Olstead.

[direfranchement]

@erjoh1

There is nothing musically remarkable about Olstead (who the hell is she anyway?), and, judging from the performances of the song available on YouTube, rating her ahead of or even amongst any of the vocalists you've cited is like some flake of dark comedy--but it's not funny.

[leoray1234]

@direfranchement I agree with you that Renee Olstead has to stick around longer than a couple years before anyone can start mentioning her in the same breath as Maxine Sullivan, Dinah Shore, and the like. I am a big fan of all the classic singers myself. It's also good to remember that those singers also started very young. At the very least, Renee Olstead has the talent, desire, and the GOOD TASTE to sing such great songs. More power to her~

[Barbaraplease]

@erjoh1 or linda ronstadt.

[puttyfoot]

dreamy x

[StoryeTime]

Merci/Thank you! I named my daughter Maxine...and she is a singer/songwriter!

[kristinlee]

thank you, Maxine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ZigDnbry]

"Because the road is rough and long, Shall we despise the skylark's song....." from the poem "Views Of Life" by Anne Bronte

[lasinlo]

Thank you.

[paulostroff99]

Awesome

[adeliacoffin]

Song for the day!

[cdevereaux7]

Thank you. Maxine was my mentor and friend and I'm always happy to find her on YouTube. Thanks again!

[JazzAmbuscade]

Thank you!

[JazzAmbuscade]

I just put a version that I've done on YouTube and then this rendition by Maxine Sullivan pulled up. Imagine my delight!!!  THANK YOU!

Sincerely, Iva

[klrietmann]

That's wonderful. Ellis Larkins was a marvelous pianist too.

[closedcircle1]

The best version I've heard so far. Takes the edge over Helen Forrest/Harry James and Glen Miller's version.

[helluvagun]

Maxine had one of the lovliest voices. She was one of the greatest: Billie, Ella, Sarah, Dinah you name them but she's there!

[marykmusic]

Clear, unaffected, lovely voice without extra unneeded adornment. Thanks!

[ArxVirtus]

@marykmusic - I agree. Hardly a popular singer from today would have been given a 2nd look in an audition back in the days before vocoders and autotuning.

[orson15]

@marykmusic Exactly. I heard her in '85, and felt the same.

[ejworthy]

well done...

-Emile

[deb6sbcglobal]

Maxine is in the famous photo on A Great Day in Harlem. This is a nice version of Skylark.

[zuluti]

Direfranchement don't ever stopposting these singers-most are past my generation but the more i listen i am convinced they were the best EVER.

[swinginkatz]

@zuluti You are correct. Maxine was one of the best. See swinginkatz.