Gertrude Lawrence - Someone To Watch Over Me 1932

[dandyhall1]

Thank you! Not AS keen on the later recording, but still lovely. An enormous

favourite is YOU WERE THERE, sung and recorded with Noel Coward, but

I can't find it on YouTube. Pam used to tell me how she dreaded Noel's

visits to her mother's house in the south of France (rented for the summer),

because it would mean that she (Pam) would have to give up her bed

and sleep on the floor! She felt that had Noel C. been of a different

'orientation', he would certainly have married Gertie........

[dandyhall1]

Exquisite and delightful; streets ahead of everyone else.

Gertie's daughter was one of my dearest friends (now

much missed) and, like the song, she was exquisite

and delightful! A highly creative lady with great humility,

a quality that her mother lacked somewhat........But,

nevertheless, her singing is uniquely beautiful: one

can hear every word that she sings.

[zzenzero]

@dandyhall1

Thank you for your very interesting feedback. "Exquisite and delightful" is the perfect description of Gertie's singing here. How lovely to have known her daughter. I also loved Gertie's 1950s comeback singing, and it's fascinating to compare and enjoy her very different 1951 "Someone" to this one. Both are beautiful in their own right. All the best dandyhall. :-)

[fleebchiz12]

What movie is this from???? I can't remember!

[zzenzero]

@fleebchiz12

I don't know that it's from one of her movies. It was recorded in November 1932, and was originally in the show 'Oh Kay'. I have it on a vinyl LP AFLP 709.

[bsgs98]

Just finished comparing this with the 1951 version that you have also posted and enjoyed both very much. This is the first time I have heard these two renditions. She recorded this at least twice before: in 1926 with Tom Waring accompanying on piano and again in 1927, in London, with His Majesty's Theatre Orchestra. I agree that she has an appealing voice and style.

[zzenzero]

@bsgs98

Thank you bsgs98 for your comments and listening to both recordings.Although I love the 51 version,it’s the 32 one which brings a tear to my eye.I haven't heard the earlier two recordings.I usually prefer an artist in their youth[pre-1930 Jolson] but in Gertie’s case,I remain in awe of the quality of her 1950s voice/style.

Beautiful that she should win her award for ‘The King and I’ but sad that she wasn’t able to continue her wonderful re-birth.

BTW You have a fine channel.