The Joni James version is on youtube but be prepared. Joni approached every song as if it had never been sung before. Especially songs which were famous from stage productions or made famous by torch singers got stripped away naked and were sung with total naive sincerity, no trace of sophistication or world-weariness. So it's like hearing the song for the first time. Johnny Green adored her recording of it for those very reasons, but to most ears hearing it the first time it's strange.
@waynebrasler I can't find it available on YouTube, but I see it has been reissued on CD. Sadly mp3 downloads of Joni's "Body and Soul" can't be purchased in the US due to copyright restrictions. I checked at Amazon and ITunes... same deal.
Did you know that "I Cover the Waterfront" originally was the countermelody to "Body and Soul." It's true. In the 1950s on his afternoon T.V. show Bob Crosby discussed it and performed the songs together (I believe with the Modernaires) and it is an intriguing combination. Likewise the song "Soft Summer Breeze" is basically "I Don't Know Why (But I Do)" inverted. Libby would have been a much greater and more remembered star had she not been so personally troubled, a tragic shame.
Ruth Etting loved this song! So did Billie Holiday. Interestingly, the lyrics in the United States and the lyrics in Great Britain differ. When the song was being written Johnny Green left the lyric sheet in a cab while in Great Britain. So he reconstituted the song from memory and got it almost right, just a few things wrong in the bridge. The British lyrics can be heard in the magnificent Joni James recording done at Abbey Road in London in January of 1959.
@waynebrasler The first US recordings came out in Sept 1930 and the the lyrics from the recorded versions by Helen Morgan, Annette Hanshaw and were nearly the same as this one by Etting. Libby Holman who introduced it in the Broadway musical "Three's a Crowd" recorded it for Brunswick in Oct. 1930. Her lyrics were substantially different and reflect later versions. I guess the publishers thought that the US public was not ready for "I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul."
She is a very good singer very clean and clear , At lest you can understand her. More then I can say about many of the modern singers. Only to go back in time machine and take modern recording equipment.
This is just so good ...the movie of Ruth Etting`s life with Doris Day and Jimmy Cagney was shown recently on TV...These lyrics are totally new to me...wonderful to hear this version..!!
@wabashcannon Don't discount the extreme popularity of Ruth Etting in her day. Hanshaw was a great singer and a favorite of jazz buffs. Etting had a more sweet style and because of her talents and appearance was also very successful on Broadway. Both singers were very good but they were different.
@wabashcannon I`m a great fan of Annette Hanshaw and (sorry to you)...Ruth Etting also! Annette is more natural and no nonsense. Ruth is more dramatic and more a showgirl, if that is what your meant I agree. But to say that Ruth can`t sing?? Grtz, Aad
Very nice: but i really prefer Martha Raye's version which is not yet on youtube
scotnick59 2 months ago
The Joni James version is on youtube but be prepared. Joni approached every song as if it had never been sung before. Especially songs which were famous from stage productions or made famous by torch singers got stripped away naked and were sung with total naive sincerity, no trace of sophistication or world-weariness. So it's like hearing the song for the first time. Johnny Green adored her recording of it for those very reasons, but to most ears hearing it the first time it's strange.
waynebrasler 3 months ago
@waynebrasler I can't find it available on YouTube, but I see it has been reissued on CD. Sadly mp3 downloads of Joni's "Body and Soul" can't be purchased in the US due to copyright restrictions. I checked at Amazon and ITunes... same deal.
bsgs98 3 months ago
Did you know that "I Cover the Waterfront" originally was the countermelody to "Body and Soul." It's true. In the 1950s on his afternoon T.V. show Bob Crosby discussed it and performed the songs together (I believe with the Modernaires) and it is an intriguing combination. Likewise the song "Soft Summer Breeze" is basically "I Don't Know Why (But I Do)" inverted. Libby would have been a much greater and more remembered star had she not been so personally troubled, a tragic shame.
waynebrasler 3 months ago
Ruth Etting loved this song! So did Billie Holiday. Interestingly, the lyrics in the United States and the lyrics in Great Britain differ. When the song was being written Johnny Green left the lyric sheet in a cab while in Great Britain. So he reconstituted the song from memory and got it almost right, just a few things wrong in the bridge. The British lyrics can be heard in the magnificent Joni James recording done at Abbey Road in London in January of 1959.
waynebrasler 3 months ago
@waynebrasler The first US recordings came out in Sept 1930 and the the lyrics from the recorded versions by Helen Morgan, Annette Hanshaw and were nearly the same as this one by Etting. Libby Holman who introduced it in the Broadway musical "Three's a Crowd" recorded it for Brunswick in Oct. 1930. Her lyrics were substantially different and reflect later versions. I guess the publishers thought that the US public was not ready for "I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul."
bsgs98 3 months ago
@waynebrasler I haven't heard the Joni James version. It's not on YouTube. Is it available on LP or CD?
bsgs98 3 months ago
She is a very good singer very clean and clear , At lest you can understand her. More then I can say about many of the modern singers. Only to go back in time machine and take modern recording equipment.
grmey78 1 year ago
beautiful song - great singer - and, as you can see, she was also very glamourous
1400deadwood 1 year ago
i am just 19 years old and i can get a lot of inspiration out of these kind of beautiful tracks, while i'm a producer / rapper
most of the music of today is no way on a level like these tracks
GRINDHASSUS 1 year ago
This is just so good ...the movie of Ruth Etting`s life with Doris Day and Jimmy Cagney was shown recently on TV...These lyrics are totally new to me...wonderful to hear this version..!!
guitarpicka1 1 year ago
Sorry but this woman had no voice and could not sing. Listen to Annette Hanshaw's version and hear the difference.
wabashcannon 2 years ago
@wabashcannon ...the rest of the country would disagree with you. She is considered to be "America's Sweetheart of Song"
AnandaTandava 1 year ago
@AnandaTandava The rest of the country? No I strongly doubt it. Her music generally has not stood the test of time.
wabashcannon 1 year ago
@wabashcannon Don't discount the extreme popularity of Ruth Etting in her day. Hanshaw was a great singer and a favorite of jazz buffs. Etting had a more sweet style and because of her talents and appearance was also very successful on Broadway. Both singers were very good but they were different.
bsgs98 1 year ago 2
@wabashcannon ...the rest of the country would disagree with you. She is considered to be "America's Sweetheart of Song"
AnandaTandava 1 year ago
@wabashcannon They're both good
BuyBenco 1 year ago
@wabashcannon ....a bit of a harsh criticism...coming from your arm-chair..!!
guitarpicka1 1 year ago
@wabashcannon I`m a great fan of Annette Hanshaw and (sorry to you)...Ruth Etting also! Annette is more natural and no nonsense. Ruth is more dramatic and more a showgirl, if that is what your meant I agree. But to say that Ruth can`t sing?? Grtz, Aad
aadjuijn 1 year ago
Very nice.Thank you.
Gadomska 2 years ago