listen very closely at 2:31. Either it is a youtube error or it's the soundtrack she was using as a base skipping. She wasn't totally lip synching but I think she was using it to make her voice sound more robust.
@evangar no actually, she was just pulling back on her voice to make it softer. It's a technique used in some singing styles. It was very abrupt and I see why you might think it was an error, but she did it with her voice on purpose.
@evangar no actually, she was just pulling back on her voice to make it softer. It's a technique used in some singing styles. It was very abrupt and I see why you might think it was an error, but she did it with her voice on purpose.
@evangar no actually, she was just pulling back on her voice to make it softer. It's a technique used in some singing styles. It was very abrupt and I see why you might think it was an error, but she did it with her voice on purpose.
Nell was a great singer. I also got to know her because of her role on Gimme A Break. I have her tv special on video from when it aired. I am glad to have such a special program in my collection!
This song was, of course, from the Broadway show "Ain't Misbehavin", that opened in 1978. I was living in New York City at the time. It was the ONLY show that I ever paid full price to see two times. Yes, I saw Nell live on Broadway in 1978, and fell in love with her (and Fats Waller's music) right then and there.
After she died, I was unable to find a video of the show until just a year or so ago. When I did get a copy, I watched it straight through four times and cried my eyes out.
I came to love her because of her show, "Gimme A Break." It is only recently that I've seen her do anything else. I've caught two version of this song by her and loved them. Such a loss.
every recording i've seen/heard of her doing this song has been absolutely gut-wrenchingly flawless. such a loss, but i'm so glad at least the music she did create can live on.
my heart cries out for Nell Carter, because she is the one that always knows how to turn a song into a dream. and still, i live to love the one and only Nell Carter. may god rest her beautiful soul.
Absolutely beautiful! It's such a treat to see this celebration of the great Fats Waller and the artists who help us understand what a genius he was. Thanks so much for posting this!
Yep, no one else could touch this song. I believe all singers have their title song. Judy Garland had "Over the rainbow" Mahaila Jackson had "Move Up A Little Higher" and Nell had "Mean to Me". And as for her death I believe that it was just destiny, they say the good dies young. I know she's up there singing in heaven. Thanks for posting.
Nell died from complication from diabetes which was exacerbated by obesity. She died way too young. It's so sad. It is my wish that all America particularly people of color to take better care of their health. I realize we all have to go some day but there's no need in expediting the process. This is something that is 100% preventabe. It's so sad.
They say thats why but, it wasn't. Because She had a massive heartattack which doesn't nessasarly have to come from her bein overweight. i love NELL CARTER SHE WAS THE BEST !!!!
Well, however which way she passed away is irrelevant. Most conditions like heart disease and bad cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure are the direct result of poor diet and lifestyle. And they can easily be reversed with changes in these areas of your life. It just makes me angry when a life is cut short unecessarily. We can't control freak accidents and other things but we can control what we put in our mouths. This legendary diva died way to young. And it's a shame.
I am so grateful that we have the technology to share beautiful talents like this with future generations. It would be sad indeed if performers like the late Nell Carter just vanished without a trace and have the world miss out on her beautiful, unique voice. We love and miss you Nell. Finally, you have been given a well deserved break.
Absolutely stunning performance.
bloodandwinearered 9 months ago
That echo is just dodgy analog recording equipment.
Don't start thinking that it was any kind of effect. Singers could SING in those days. Not like these sad autotuned overamplified times.
ttmor 10 months ago
Sublime.
LoyalTideFan 2 years ago
listen very closely at 2:31. Either it is a youtube error or it's the soundtrack she was using as a base skipping. She wasn't totally lip synching but I think she was using it to make her voice sound more robust.
evangar 2 years ago
let that go.
anniebaby99 2 years ago
Oh yeah!! I hear that! It sounded like some sort of an echo.
Weird.
yaffytaffy12345 1 year ago
@evangar no actually, she was just pulling back on her voice to make it softer. It's a technique used in some singing styles. It was very abrupt and I see why you might think it was an error, but she did it with her voice on purpose.
Mondia87 1 year ago
@evangar no actually, she was just pulling back on her voice to make it softer. It's a technique used in some singing styles. It was very abrupt and I see why you might think it was an error, but she did it with her voice on purpose.
Mondia87 1 year ago
@evangar no actually, she was just pulling back on her voice to make it softer. It's a technique used in some singing styles. It was very abrupt and I see why you might think it was an error, but she did it with her voice on purpose.
Mondia87 1 year ago
We love ya Honey!
iboudiop 2 years ago 2
My aunts met Nell years ago after one of her performances of the Broadway show 'Ain't Misbehavin'. What a thrill. They still have her autograph.
priscillaofmanila 2 years ago
Nell Carter and Fatz Waller. Most perfect combo ever
thespianalb 2 years ago 5
SUPERB
drednm 2 years ago 7
I'm glad I wasn't there...I'm choked up enough as it is!
phanface 2 years ago 5
Nell was a great singer. I also got to know her because of her role on Gimme A Break. I have her tv special on video from when it aired. I am glad to have such a special program in my collection!
VideoArchives1964 3 years ago 5
This has been flagged as spam show
The ENTIRE show is up on AintMisbehavinFan along with the new 2008 cast with Frenchie Davis and Ruben Studdard.
AintMisbehavinFan 3 years ago
This song was, of course, from the Broadway show "Ain't Misbehavin", that opened in 1978. I was living in New York City at the time. It was the ONLY show that I ever paid full price to see two times. Yes, I saw Nell live on Broadway in 1978, and fell in love with her (and Fats Waller's music) right then and there.
After she died, I was unable to find a video of the show until just a year or so ago. When I did get a copy, I watched it straight through four times and cried my eyes out.
bvscfanatic 3 years ago 3
I've been looking for that video for years. I saw it on PBS years ago. I would love to buy it. Where did you get it?
heysonjayson 2 years ago
I came to love her because of her show, "Gimme A Break." It is only recently that I've seen her do anything else. I've caught two version of this song by her and loved them. Such a loss.
Queerassfolks 3 years ago 7
it's like she never died!!
sarahku 3 years ago 5
every recording i've seen/heard of her doing this song has been absolutely gut-wrenchingly flawless. such a loss, but i'm so glad at least the music she did create can live on.
jazzbrrrd 3 years ago 5
my heart cries out for Nell Carter, because she is the one that always knows how to turn a song into a dream. and still, i live to love the one and only Nell Carter. may god rest her beautiful soul.
aaronlobbley 3 years ago 2
Absolutely beautiful! It's such a treat to see this celebration of the great Fats Waller and the artists who help us understand what a genius he was. Thanks so much for posting this!
sharafaskowitz 3 years ago 2
Yep, no one else could touch this song. I believe all singers have their title song. Judy Garland had "Over the rainbow" Mahaila Jackson had "Move Up A Little Higher" and Nell had "Mean to Me". And as for her death I believe that it was just destiny, they say the good dies young. I know she's up there singing in heaven. Thanks for posting.
hbellinger18 4 years ago
What a singer she was !
RonClint 4 years ago
How did Nell pass on? Was she ill?
timmay973nj 4 years ago
Nell died from complication from diabetes which was exacerbated by obesity. She died way too young. It's so sad. It is my wish that all America particularly people of color to take better care of their health. I realize we all have to go some day but there's no need in expediting the process. This is something that is 100% preventabe. It's so sad.
exxodus29 4 years ago
They say thats why but, it wasn't. Because She had a massive heartattack which doesn't nessasarly have to come from her bein overweight. i love NELL CARTER SHE WAS THE BEST !!!!
Piper2525 4 years ago
Well, however which way she passed away is irrelevant. Most conditions like heart disease and bad cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure are the direct result of poor diet and lifestyle. And they can easily be reversed with changes in these areas of your life. It just makes me angry when a life is cut short unecessarily. We can't control freak accidents and other things but we can control what we put in our mouths. This legendary diva died way to young. And it's a shame.
exxodus29 4 years ago
even if she'd been rail thin, her massive coke habit didn't help her heart :( you're right, though, she left us far too early.
jazzbrrrd 3 years ago
diabetes
oldsitcom12 3 years ago
I am so grateful that we have the technology to share beautiful talents like this with future generations. It would be sad indeed if performers like the late Nell Carter just vanished without a trace and have the world miss out on her beautiful, unique voice. We love and miss you Nell. Finally, you have been given a well deserved break.
exxodus29 4 years ago
Well said, darling! BRAVO!
timmay973nj 4 years ago
Beautifull...beautifull
blackbaron2004 4 years ago
No one else could touch this song after Nell put her mark! What a brilliant woman. She'll always be missed. Brilliant post!
Indigo1045 4 years ago