Anita O'Day is a wonderful singer, one of my favorites. Her sense of rhythm, her interpretation,her improvisational skills are to be admired. Anita is sensational!
In that Dexter vid to the right, he plays the first section in Db, then correctly moves to D for the bridge. In the Diana Krall version, also to the right, she plays the first section in Eb and then correctly moves to E for the bridge. Etc., etc., etc. Btw, someone mentioned Jimmy Rowles earlier -- he was Diana's teacher.
@VonNashman AGREE TO DISAGREE Now if get off on trying to convince a total stranger in cyberspace to 'your way of thinking' because you're one of those controlling types who have to force people to see 'your way of thinking' then go right ahead. The world is full of 7 billion people and counting and they all don't have to fall in line with how 'you think' about something. They can have their own thoughts and opinions and you don't have to like them. I DISAGREE WITH YOU..THE END
@nancydrew5 You seem like the controlling one to me. As I've said repeatedly, this is a matter of fact, not opinion. And the facts are, you are entirely wrong, and blatantly so. Saying "agree to disagree" about this is like saying "agree to disagree" about whether WWII happened. Opinion has no bearing on that fact. As for you, you should learn a little about music before continuing to write nasty things about great musicians like Marty Napoleon.
@VonNashman "You seem like the controlling one to me. As I've said repeatedly, this is a matter of fact, not opinion. "
I guess anyone who disagrees with you is 'controlling' lolol. Chill out dude. The world ain't gonna come to an end because Nancydrew doesn't agree with you. Find someone else who does, but this person will not. End of story. You can continue to post your 'facts' ad ad nauseum. I will still disagree. I don't have to agree with you It's a free country
@VonNashman "You're right, you're absolutely free to be ignorant."
THANK YOU!!!!! Go Anita O DAY You are the BEST! Too bad you didn't have Jimmy Rowles, or Kirk Stuart on this set. Now those were great accompanist who knew how to follow a singer and and be right there with her.
@VonNashman "As for you, you should learn a little about music before continuing to write nasty things about great musicians like Marty Napoleon. "
Marty Napoleon should listen to the singer. If you call that 'nasty' then that's your problem. What were you his lover or something? Dang you defending this dude like you personally knew him. Marty Napoleon should have listened to Anita O'Day and followed her... repeat ad infinitum. You can post rebuttals but, my mind's made up.Bye!
@VonNashman "As for you, you should learn a little about music before continuing to write nasty things about great musicians like Marty Napoleon. "
As for you, you should learn to let it go. It's a free country you don't get to force people to believe your facts as you see them. I'm done. I'm sure you'll come back and post something else, because you're controlling and have to have the last word so have at it. You still won't change my mind so quit trying. I'm listening to Anita
@nancydrew5 Like I said, I thoroughly agree with you about your rights. It's your right to be unaware of the truth, and to say mean and nasty things about great, hard-working musicians like Marty Napoleon, who have forgotten more music than you will ever learn. The discussion went from one about music to a very banal one about your rights when you realized you can in no way support your position. Saying you love Anita, over and over, will not change the fact that she mistakenly sang out of key.
@VonNashman "The discussion went from one about music to a very banal one about your rights when you realized you can in no way support your position."
Who took it there? You did, in your ever lasting fervor to beat me over the head to get me to agree with you. My focus is Anita, not Marty.. Your focus is Marty. This video is about Anita's greatness. You're the one who took the discussion there. I'm taking it back to anita. She is great! Awesome! That's my focus.
@nancydrew5 Like I said, Anita is singing in Ab when the bridge is in A, and she is way out of line for ridiculing the pianist on the stand for her mistake. I'm happy you now recognize this fact.
@VonNashman ". Saying you love Anita, over and over, will not change the fact that she mistakenly sang out of key."
Why have you made it so important to your world that this be the focus of this video and that I agree with you on this? Instead of focusing on Anita and the great talent that she is, why are you obsessing over this? Note, you first came after me in this thread. I didn't address you directly. You jumped all over me attacking me and mad because I refuse to co-sign.
Did some research -- the pianist is Marty Napoleon, a now 90-year old man, who not only wasn't fired for his "mistake" (playing the right chords!), but went on to greater heights, being the last pianist to play and record with the greatest Jazz musician ever, Louis Armstrong, from 1966-1971. He also worked Louis in 1952-1953. I love Anita, don't get me wrong, but those hating on this superlative pianist need to back off! : )
@VonNashman "He also worked Louis in 1952-1953. I love Anita, don't get me wrong, but those hating on this superlative pianist need to back off! : ) "
I don't think it's hating on this pianist. I'm sure after he was fired from bungling up this performance he learned a lesson the hard way and that better prepared him to be a superb accompanist for Louis Armstrong. Accompanist should 'listen' to whoever they are accompanying first and foremost.
@nancydrew5 He didn't bungle up the performance. Anita did. He listened, and listened well. There was nothing he could do, since she didn't know the tune and didn't sing in the right key for the bridge. He also wasn't fired from any gig, nor should he have been. Perhaps she should have listened to the band and realized she was singing in the wrong key, but she was probably too stoned/wasted to do so.
To make it clear -- the pianist had no trouble following Anita, he played the right changes. She was a mess, singing in the wrong key in the bridge. Very tacky of her to ridicule him for her mistake.
She would've done just FINE without the piano ... it's too loud anyway and distracts from her fantastic performance. Anita O'Day -- the absolute queen of improvisation!
Everytime I look at this clip, I can't believe what I am seeing!!! This gal was too wonderful to be for real. What a talent. Jazz just flows out of her so effortlessly.
Anita looking so square and unhip. Check her out on Jazz on a Summer's Day. She is in full voice with a hip sneer and all. Groovy!Sorry, I made a mistake. It's under that old style hairdo, huh? That hip sneer. She's is one of the best.
Shoulda had Jimmy Rowles on piano, he would have been able to hang with this phenomenal singer. They would have been on one accord, which is why Jimmy accompanied so many of the greats including Anita's idol, Lady Day. That piano dude, was not listening. You have to listen to the singer. Anita knew exactly what she was doing and where she was going.
@nancydrew5 Of course, Anita has responsibilities too. Like, for instance, knowing that "Body and Soul" changes key in the bridge, going a 1/2 step up. If she wanted to not follow the well known changes, she should have informed her accompanist beforehand. They are in Ab here, and the bridge goes to A. She stays singing in Ab! You can't blame the pianist for playing the tune the right way -- if he followed her they'd end up in G for the last section, instead of Ab, even worse!
@VonNashman "If she wanted to not follow the well known changes, she should have informed her accompanist beforehand.she should have informed her accompanist beforehand. "
Do instrumentalist inform the rhythm section before hand when they improvise all over the place, taking the song way out there changing keys, changing forms, not following chord changes? Hmm? Did James Moody inform the rhythm section before hand when he improvised all the way through I'm in the Mood for love?
@nancydrew5 LOL. Improvisation doesn't mean "changing keys, playing way out there, etc." Moody's Mood, should you take the time to analyze its melody, fits the chord changes/keys perfectly, and is an exquisite example of someone playing in, not out of, a key. And yes, to answer your question, instrumentalists who want different changes or keys do in fact inform the other musicians on the stand of their intentions, that is, if they don't want a complete train wreck.
@VonNashman "Improvisation doesn't mean "changing keys, playing way out there, etc." Moody's Mood"
Tell that to Ornette Coleman and all the others in that free jazz movement. Hey look agree to disagree. You have your opinion and you're entitled to it, just as I am mine. Your opinion doesn't make you any more right than anyone else who disagrees so agree to disagree. Piano player should have listened.
@nancydrew5 Actually, you're quite wrong, and I won't agree to disagree. This is not a subjective matter, nor a matter of opinion. It's a matter of fact. Anita sang in the wrong key, specifically in Ab when she was supposed to sing in A. I doubt you have the chops to do so, but if you transcribe the pitches she sings, and the chords the pianist plays, it's as clear as day. The pianist listened well, and listening harder would not have made Anita's pitches magically in the key of A.
@nancydrew5 Do you know the chord changes to "Body and Soul"? Do you know how many keys the tune goes through? Do you know how the melody relates to those chords and keys? Have you transcribed at least ten different versions of the tune to see how it is to be played/performed? Go transcribe the changes Dexter plays ----> in that vid to the right, and get back to me when you realize you are way out of line criticizing that pianist for Anita's horrendous mistake and behavior.
Wow! What a performance. I have never heard of this show. What was the air date and was this a local NYC TV show. It seems that she's at her best during live performances or before an audience as oppose to her studio recordings, where she is a bit restrained, which I would blame the recorder producer. Thanks for posting. I feel Anita is way up there with Ella and Sarah. as one of the greatest jazz singers.
Yes, she was "high on heroin," which she has readily admitted. So what??? Was she really so high or was she as high as an alcoholic having 2-3 drinks prior to a performance?
She did not take shit from anyone----which was RARE in those days. She decided to make a trio. Spur of the moment. She wanted to sound good and wanted to control that.
...Il talento immenso di Anita si potrebbe evincere anche solo dai pochi minuti di questa performance... gira intorno al tema improvvisando così superbamente e in modo così centrifugo e complesso, senza perdersi neppure per un momento, che il pianista -poverino- al momento della modulazione non ci ha capito nulla ;-)
I actually saw this show when I was a young kid of 13 or so. There's a terrific performance of Sweet Georgia Brown here, where she really gets into scat singing. The was the best jazz show ever on early TV, because it really was just a jam session, with no time limits on the tunes. Amazing!
I can't stand feminists but what I can stand even less is what a chauvinistic pig this guy is. He doesn't deserve even being in the same room as someone as amazing as Anita let alone radiating that smug bullshit. What she did in these few minutes dwarfs anything he's done in his life. End rant. God bless Anita for the beauty she brought the world.
@mockingbirdarmada If you're referring to Art Ford, your reaction seems unfair. He had a large role in exposing the public to jazz, and was highly respected by the musicians featured on his show. Nothing in his treatment of Anita O'Day seems remotely sexist here.
I first heard her from that Newport Jazz Festival album in 1958. I could nevr quite pin down was was so addicting,(pardon the pun!), about her voice. She was called more of a stylist than a singer. I think true and true, what yo0u hear is what you get, she is the greatest jazz singer in my book!
@450984 She's the best for me , too... But I prefer thinking of her as 'different' rather than who's better then who..1958 she was very high on heroin on that day... and her voice was in excellent shape, (I don't know if this was because of the dope). She couldn't get a kick out of anything, and yet sing with colossal feeling!
The pianist might not have followed exactly right, but this is live, probably unrehearsed, improvised and great. Unlike much of what's done today. As to Miley playing Anita, she does look a little like her, and as interesting as Miley's voice can be, they'd have to overdub most of the vocals because no one can or could sing like Anita.
I'm gonna get killed for saying this but her jive delivery just doesn't do right for this song. Should be passionate and full of longing. I much prefer her on tunes like Malanguena.
Anita sang this song better than anyone. Must be from the 1950's , anyway she was in her prime and she did this albeit with a rather clumsy rhythm section. I think that's Marty Napoleon on piano. Anyway, every time she sang this song it was different, a true jazz singer. Impeccable intonation.
I've only recently discovered Anita but she's already jumped to the top end of my all time great Jazz vocalist/interpreters list. Her live version of 'Stella by Starlight' is definitive as is her 'Bewitched, Bothered...'. So much to learn from her. So inventive! Her phrasing is astonishing...
When I first heard the recorded version on "Anita Sings The Winners," a remarkable album, I nearly fainted. This is my favorite song and as inebriated all my 70 years as I've been about lady singers I never imagined anyone could take this song apart and put it back together again so brilliantly. Billie Holiday did the most searing versions and Joni James did the most naked--no embellishments, no drama, just straight out telling the story for real with the British lyrics.
Lamento no haber descubierto antes esta maravillosa cantante, Sólo unos pocos años atrás la ví por tv en una actuación acompañada por su esposo en la batería en un club nocturno, que debe haber sido una de las últimas, Un recuerdo para una GRANDE.
Funny how she looked at the pianist when she sang "are you still pretending?" I had the privilege of meeting and chatting with Anita a few times. Once I asked her if she remembered her brief stint in the Basie Band when Wardell Gray was also there. "Wardell", she mused "He could play 20 choruses and make you wonder where each one came from."
Hilarious -- she wanted a smoke! What a voice. Too bad the pianist was confused as to what she was doing. She kept her cool but I get the feeling she wanted to kill him.
She made the mistake, she made a key change by mistake you can hear that..., and the piano player didn't catch it..,,,,and she tried to compensate, but it didn't work.....it is obvious they rehearsed this anyway, before hand....this rendition is so far away from the original, that it would have had to be rehearsed, with that being said, no one can sing like her, and the recorded version is sensational and she is the BEST for improvisational technique...
@7jazzmiss I assure you, there was no mistake,Anita knew what she was doing every inch of the way,piano player didn't. He probably wasn't used to her time- she was unique and there certainly wasn't any rehearsal, you can take that to a bank.
@7jazzmiss Actually, the part of the song where the mistake was made, the key changes up a half step for that part of the song (that is actually how it is written) and she stayed in the starting key without moving up like she was supposed to. The piano player was very gracious though and actually acted kind of like it was his fault, which was the right thing to do, since he knew who the important one was!!! lol It was all still quite awesome.
Dear frimpit, Not to blame Marty Napoleon, who is a fine piano player, but , for whatever reason, he missed the f minor chord at 2:10 and was lost for next two bars. It's true, she did not modulate half a step upto A Major for "that part of the song" commonly known as" the bridge", but then again piano player,being lost, did not give her the all important b minor7- E 7 chords leading to a bridge. But these things happen at the jam sessions and they all got together at the end. Cheers!
@vova47 "that part of the song", yes, you can tell I'm a rock musician, huh? lol
We save the term "bridge" usually for a third section, which jazz standards don't often have. Thanks for the jazz form terminology review (seriously!) Good observations my astute friend! But yes, it was all good in the end!! (By the way, do jazz songs ever contain what would be called a "verse" or is it all simply "chorus" and "bridge"?
Dear frimpit, It depends... Virtually every standard song has a verse but only some of them ( Stardust, Lush Life) f. e., are included in a instrumental performance.When playing for singers, you are expected to know verses to many songs. Instrumental jazz tunes as a rule don't have verses. "Bridge" or a "channel" is in jazz lexicon always the middle part of a tune usually modulating to another key. Hope that answers your question.
@vova47 You are very kind and informative! Thanks for taking the time to answer my question, and you answered it quite well. You did a better job than any of my jazz playing friends, lol!!
@vova47 You know more than I do, that's for certain! I'm getting a bit "mature" to enjoy rock n roll anymore, and jazz is really starting to capture my interests. It's quite a bit more intellectually challenging, and I'm afraid my resources in that area are less than the average jazz musician's. Nonetheless, kind, knowledgeable people such as yourself make the transition a bit easier for us common folk! thanks!!
@vova47 The reason he missed it was because he couldn't follow Anita's awesome phrasing during the free time!! She messed with the rhythms of the melody so much that he got lost. It's also possible he couldn't hear her well enough because she was turned away from him. That's why she got closer to him and turned into him when he got off. It's super hard to be in sync when performing free time, especially when you haven't practiced together.
@mollybutterfly I agree with you and said it in my reply to 7jazzmiss two months ago. I am far from blaming fine player like Marty Napoleon for a litle clash at a jam session, particularly if he wasn't familiar with Anita's very unique way of phrasing .However, because it was so natural to her, she expected him to follow and got mad when he was lost. I feel that in retrospect if a pianist knows and follows the lyrics he (she) wouldn't get lost so easily.
A professional pianist should be able to keep the rhythm/form and form of the song flowing in his head when singers are singing rubato. That's what the singer is depending on the pianist to do. Then he tells her way into the song, "He can't hear her' to try to make it Anita's fault that he got lost. He could hear just fine, he just wasn't on top of his game accompanying her. Nita knew just what she was doing. She was a master.
@vova47 I stand corrected...I listened to this again, and as far as I am concerned, as you stated...he played the wrong chord...but it is obvious from the beginning that he wasn't keeping up with her at all...and when she starts improvising like that...look out....thanks for the valuable comment...
@tadd1 Sweetie, we are all entitled to our opinions, but check out the Newport Jazz Festival 1958 where she sings "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Tea for two"....if you don't think she's worthy of the comment, then I don't know.......
@tadd1 I don't understand why some have to compare or pit singers against other singers . . .we should enjoy all the ladies and what they gave us . . . their own, each, very unique singing style . . . Billie, Anita, Sarah, Dinah, Ella, Peggy, Rosemary, Judy . . . slap me if I forgot someone!!
@paul51 June Christy. Consider yourself slapped. ;) They were all great in their own way, Art could have just been rattling off some personal faves, who cares?
@paul51 Carmen McRae,Shirley Horn, Etta Jones, Helen Humes, Lorez Alexandria, Irene Kral, Ernestine Anderson, Betty Carter.....need I go on or are you slapping yourself already ?
@tadd1 About three queens- that's some show business routine-he probably wanted to flatter Anita and naming more than 3 wouldn't have been much of a compliment. I have to disagree with you about her not being able to hold a candle to Sarah though - I am positive she could more than hold her own- her time feel was unique and she swung as much as anybody.
Anita was so far ahead of her time they still haven't caught up. She not only was the musical equal of anyone she sang with, but the superior. She didn't front that combo, she lead it.
Notice how she casually drops into double time and sings the song over the improvisation with perfect diction. The band of studio musicians has trouble keeping up with her. You don't see that every day. I also like her role reversal attitude: I'll sing and the guy will mope around.
Anita O'Day is a wonderful singer, one of my favorites. Her sense of rhythm, her interpretation,her improvisational skills are to be admired. Anita is sensational!
nancydrew5 1 day ago
@nancydrew5 By the way, did you do your homework and actually learn this tune?
VonNashman 9 hours ago
In that Dexter vid to the right, he plays the first section in Db, then correctly moves to D for the bridge. In the Diana Krall version, also to the right, she plays the first section in Eb and then correctly moves to E for the bridge. Etc., etc., etc. Btw, someone mentioned Jimmy Rowles earlier -- he was Diana's teacher.
VonNashman 4 days ago
@VonNashman AGREE TO DISAGREE Now if get off on trying to convince a total stranger in cyberspace to 'your way of thinking' because you're one of those controlling types who have to force people to see 'your way of thinking' then go right ahead. The world is full of 7 billion people and counting and they all don't have to fall in line with how 'you think' about something. They can have their own thoughts and opinions and you don't have to like them. I DISAGREE WITH YOU..THE END
nancydrew5 1 day ago
@nancydrew5 You seem like the controlling one to me. As I've said repeatedly, this is a matter of fact, not opinion. And the facts are, you are entirely wrong, and blatantly so. Saying "agree to disagree" about this is like saying "agree to disagree" about whether WWII happened. Opinion has no bearing on that fact. As for you, you should learn a little about music before continuing to write nasty things about great musicians like Marty Napoleon.
VonNashman 1 day ago
@VonNashman "You seem like the controlling one to me. As I've said repeatedly, this is a matter of fact, not opinion. "
I guess anyone who disagrees with you is 'controlling' lolol. Chill out dude. The world ain't gonna come to an end because Nancydrew doesn't agree with you. Find someone else who does, but this person will not. End of story. You can continue to post your 'facts' ad ad nauseum. I will still disagree. I don't have to agree with you It's a free country
nancydrew5 1 day ago
@nancydrew5 You're right, you're absolutely free to be ignorant.
VonNashman 1 day ago
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nancydrew5 1 day ago
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@VonNashman "You're right, you're absolutely free to be ignorant."
THANK YOU!!!!! Go Anita O DAY You are the BEST! Too bad you didn't have Jimmy Rowles, or Kirk Stuart on this set. Now those were great accompanist who knew how to follow a singer and and be right there with her.
nancydrew5 1 day ago
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@VonNashman "As for you, you should learn a little about music before continuing to write nasty things about great musicians like Marty Napoleon. "
Marty Napoleon should listen to the singer. If you call that 'nasty' then that's your problem. What were you his lover or something? Dang you defending this dude like you personally knew him. Marty Napoleon should have listened to Anita O'Day and followed her... repeat ad infinitum. You can post rebuttals but, my mind's made up.Bye!
nancydrew5 1 day ago
@VonNashman "As for you, you should learn a little about music before continuing to write nasty things about great musicians like Marty Napoleon. "
As for you, you should learn to let it go. It's a free country you don't get to force people to believe your facts as you see them. I'm done. I'm sure you'll come back and post something else, because you're controlling and have to have the last word so have at it. You still won't change my mind so quit trying. I'm listening to Anita
nancydrew5 1 day ago
@nancydrew5 Like I said, I thoroughly agree with you about your rights. It's your right to be unaware of the truth, and to say mean and nasty things about great, hard-working musicians like Marty Napoleon, who have forgotten more music than you will ever learn. The discussion went from one about music to a very banal one about your rights when you realized you can in no way support your position. Saying you love Anita, over and over, will not change the fact that she mistakenly sang out of key.
VonNashman 1 day ago
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nancydrew5 14 hours ago
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nancydrew5 14 hours ago
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@VonNashman "The discussion went from one about music to a very banal one about your rights when you realized you can in no way support your position."
Who took it there? You did, in your ever lasting fervor to beat me over the head to get me to agree with you. My focus is Anita, not Marty.. Your focus is Marty. This video is about Anita's greatness. You're the one who took the discussion there. I'm taking it back to anita. She is great! Awesome! That's my focus.
nancydrew5 14 hours ago
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nancydrew5 14 hours ago
@VonNashman "Like I said, I thoroughly agree with you about your rights."
Since 'like you've said, you 'thoroughly' agree to my rights, then what is the point of you continuing to post comments back at me?
nancydrew5 14 hours ago
@nancydrew5 Like I said, Anita is singing in Ab when the bridge is in A, and she is way out of line for ridiculing the pianist on the stand for her mistake. I'm happy you now recognize this fact.
VonNashman 9 hours ago
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@VonNashman ". Saying you love Anita, over and over, will not change the fact that she mistakenly sang out of key."
Why have you made it so important to your world that this be the focus of this video and that I agree with you on this? Instead of focusing on Anita and the great talent that she is, why are you obsessing over this? Note, you first came after me in this thread. I didn't address you directly. You jumped all over me attacking me and mad because I refuse to co-sign.
nancydrew5 13 hours ago
Did some research -- the pianist is Marty Napoleon, a now 90-year old man, who not only wasn't fired for his "mistake" (playing the right chords!), but went on to greater heights, being the last pianist to play and record with the greatest Jazz musician ever, Louis Armstrong, from 1966-1971. He also worked Louis in 1952-1953. I love Anita, don't get me wrong, but those hating on this superlative pianist need to back off! : )
VonNashman 6 days ago
@VonNashman "He also worked Louis in 1952-1953. I love Anita, don't get me wrong, but those hating on this superlative pianist need to back off! : ) "
I don't think it's hating on this pianist. I'm sure after he was fired from bungling up this performance he learned a lesson the hard way and that better prepared him to be a superb accompanist for Louis Armstrong. Accompanist should 'listen' to whoever they are accompanying first and foremost.
nancydrew5 5 days ago
@nancydrew5 He didn't bungle up the performance. Anita did. He listened, and listened well. There was nothing he could do, since she didn't know the tune and didn't sing in the right key for the bridge. He also wasn't fired from any gig, nor should he have been. Perhaps she should have listened to the band and realized she was singing in the wrong key, but she was probably too stoned/wasted to do so.
VonNashman 5 days ago
To make it clear -- the pianist had no trouble following Anita, he played the right changes. She was a mess, singing in the wrong key in the bridge. Very tacky of her to ridicule him for her mistake.
VonNashman 6 days ago
luv this girl!
mrtray98 1 week ago
Has anybody ever made it look easier than Antia O'day?
unclealand 1 week ago
She would've done just FINE without the piano ... it's too loud anyway and distracts from her fantastic performance. Anita O'Day -- the absolute queen of improvisation!
FLBoy46 1 month ago
Wow-- can't believe that doofus pianist! He completely lost Anita's lead. Probably got fired after that blunder!
epf1961 1 month ago
Everytime I look at this clip, I can't believe what I am seeing!!! This gal was too wonderful to be for real. What a talent. Jazz just flows out of her so effortlessly.
berghoffab 1 month ago
I would've loved to see her and Billie Holiday sing a tune together. They were both featured on this TV show on the same night.
nigel1034 2 months ago
I could watch this clip a hundred times a day and never get enough!!! What atalent.
berghoffab 2 months ago
♥♥♥
RAMLIA1 3 months ago
He's so nervous :) "A woman standing up for herself, picking her own band... I'm, I'm speechless."
tayloreh 3 months ago
Anita looking so square and unhip. Check her out on Jazz on a Summer's Day. She is in full voice with a hip sneer and all. Groovy!Sorry, I made a mistake. It's under that old style hairdo, huh? That hip sneer. She's is one of the best.
mudrooroo2 3 months ago
Shoulda had Jimmy Rowles on piano, he would have been able to hang with this phenomenal singer. They would have been on one accord, which is why Jimmy accompanied so many of the greats including Anita's idol, Lady Day. That piano dude, was not listening. You have to listen to the singer. Anita knew exactly what she was doing and where she was going.
nancydrew5 3 months ago
@nancydrew5 Of course, Anita has responsibilities too. Like, for instance, knowing that "Body and Soul" changes key in the bridge, going a 1/2 step up. If she wanted to not follow the well known changes, she should have informed her accompanist beforehand. They are in Ab here, and the bridge goes to A. She stays singing in Ab! You can't blame the pianist for playing the tune the right way -- if he followed her they'd end up in G for the last section, instead of Ab, even worse!
VonNashman 6 days ago
@VonNashman "If she wanted to not follow the well known changes, she should have informed her accompanist beforehand.she should have informed her accompanist beforehand. "
Do instrumentalist inform the rhythm section before hand when they improvise all over the place, taking the song way out there changing keys, changing forms, not following chord changes? Hmm? Did James Moody inform the rhythm section before hand when he improvised all the way through I'm in the Mood for love?
nancydrew5 5 days ago
@nancydrew5 LOL. Improvisation doesn't mean "changing keys, playing way out there, etc." Moody's Mood, should you take the time to analyze its melody, fits the chord changes/keys perfectly, and is an exquisite example of someone playing in, not out of, a key. And yes, to answer your question, instrumentalists who want different changes or keys do in fact inform the other musicians on the stand of their intentions, that is, if they don't want a complete train wreck.
VonNashman 5 days ago
@VonNashman "Improvisation doesn't mean "changing keys, playing way out there, etc." Moody's Mood"
Tell that to Ornette Coleman and all the others in that free jazz movement. Hey look agree to disagree. You have your opinion and you're entitled to it, just as I am mine. Your opinion doesn't make you any more right than anyone else who disagrees so agree to disagree. Piano player should have listened.
nancydrew5 4 days ago
@nancydrew5 Actually, you're quite wrong, and I won't agree to disagree. This is not a subjective matter, nor a matter of opinion. It's a matter of fact. Anita sang in the wrong key, specifically in Ab when she was supposed to sing in A. I doubt you have the chops to do so, but if you transcribe the pitches she sings, and the chords the pianist plays, it's as clear as day. The pianist listened well, and listening harder would not have made Anita's pitches magically in the key of A.
VonNashman 4 days ago
@nancydrew5 Do you know the chord changes to "Body and Soul"? Do you know how many keys the tune goes through? Do you know how the melody relates to those chords and keys? Have you transcribed at least ten different versions of the tune to see how it is to be played/performed? Go transcribe the changes Dexter plays ----> in that vid to the right, and get back to me when you realize you are way out of line criticizing that pianist for Anita's horrendous mistake and behavior.
VonNashman 4 days ago
Wow! What a performance. I have never heard of this show. What was the air date and was this a local NYC TV show. It seems that she's at her best during live performances or before an audience as oppose to her studio recordings, where she is a bit restrained, which I would blame the recorder producer. Thanks for posting. I feel Anita is way up there with Ella and Sarah. as one of the greatest jazz singers.
Silvereagle123 3 months ago
Yes, she was "high on heroin," which she has readily admitted. So what??? Was she really so high or was she as high as an alcoholic having 2-3 drinks prior to a performance?
tmosho1 4 months ago
She did not take shit from anyone----which was RARE in those days. She decided to make a trio. Spur of the moment. She wanted to sound good and wanted to control that.
tmosho1 4 months ago
Truely I was born in the wrong era.
TheOfficialRozeaudio 4 months ago
...Il talento immenso di Anita si potrebbe evincere anche solo dai pochi minuti di questa performance... gira intorno al tema improvvisando così superbamente e in modo così centrifugo e complesso, senza perdersi neppure per un momento, che il pianista -poverino- al momento della modulazione non ci ha capito nulla ;-)
sombraslivemusic 4 months ago
Anita was bad ass. Period.
mralmeister1 5 months ago 9
@mralmeister1
Yes she was and that is the focus of this video. She was great!
nancydrew5 14 hours ago
I actually saw this show when I was a young kid of 13 or so. There's a terrific performance of Sweet Georgia Brown here, where she really gets into scat singing. The was the best jazz show ever on early TV, because it really was just a jam session, with no time limits on the tunes. Amazing!
bixntram 5 months ago
This is one of the greatest performances of this song; almost unbelievable.
Rickriquinho 5 months ago
@Rickriquinho Even the pianist had trouble catching her ideas heh :)
alexjrmarino 4 months ago
@alexjrmarino Indeed! She was a very secure singer!
Rickriquinho 4 months ago
I love how the beginning intro/conversation between Art and Anita fits over the music, like it's own little piece of improv.
Velsiem 6 months ago
You could see how much the boys loved her.
airmont1 6 months ago
I can't stand feminists but what I can stand even less is what a chauvinistic pig this guy is. He doesn't deserve even being in the same room as someone as amazing as Anita let alone radiating that smug bullshit. What she did in these few minutes dwarfs anything he's done in his life. End rant. God bless Anita for the beauty she brought the world.
mockingbirdarmada 6 months ago
@mockingbirdarmada If you're referring to Art Ford, your reaction seems unfair. He had a large role in exposing the public to jazz, and was highly respected by the musicians featured on his show. Nothing in his treatment of Anita O'Day seems remotely sexist here.
Maybe he reminds you of someone you don't like?
costernocht 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@mockingbirdarmada Blah, blah, blah!
bixntram 5 months ago
Priceless!
thedeeliciousplum 6 months ago
Man, what class..
Cmarl88 6 months ago
ちょーかっこいい〜(^o^)アネゴー！
letesoir75 7 months ago
Just so good!
Hairhat1 7 months ago
she's SO HIGH here..wow..love it.hahah.
retroafro98 8 months ago
I first heard her from that Newport Jazz Festival album in 1958. I could nevr quite pin down was was so addicting,(pardon the pun!), about her voice. She was called more of a stylist than a singer. I think true and true, what yo0u hear is what you get, she is the greatest jazz singer in my book!
450984 9 months ago 3
@450984 She's the best for me , too... But I prefer thinking of her as 'different' rather than who's better then who..1958 she was very high on heroin on that day... and her voice was in excellent shape, (I don't know if this was because of the dope). She couldn't get a kick out of anything, and yet sing with colossal feeling!
alexjrmarino 4 months ago
"Ella, Billie, and Anita".....definitely the three queens ! !!
DeedleDeedleDumplin 10 months ago
wow
honeybee7700 10 months ago
Man this is great!!!
corrindion 10 months ago
Magnificent. The incomparable Mundell Lowe on guitar, too.
Keithdhodges 10 months ago
I LOVE her phrasing!!!
karenclarkfan 11 months ago
anyone know who the players are?
lilman42590 11 months ago
Anita O'day was one in a million! I will drink a toast to her this St. Paddys Day and spin her discs all day in the pub! Thanks for the post!
WinstonsPapa 11 months ago 17
EXTRAORDINAIRE ET EN PLUS MAGNIFIQUE MUNDELL LOWE A LA GUITARE.
fb074216 1 year ago
I like how Anita calls him sir.
jackolavin 1 year ago
B section dude, B SECTION ! Jeez O_o
giopagoda 1 year ago
she's so pretty here.
stuntcat666 1 year ago
Wo, what a train wreck in the beginning...
giopagoda 1 year ago
The pianist might not have followed exactly right, but this is live, probably unrehearsed, improvised and great. Unlike much of what's done today. As to Miley playing Anita, she does look a little like her, and as interesting as Miley's voice can be, they'd have to overdub most of the vocals because no one can or could sing like Anita.
lcar4000 1 year ago
@lcar4000 Good golly! I can only imagine Miley Cyrus trying to lip sync to Anita O'day.
Velsiem 1 year ago
She looks like Miley Cyrus. I'm not trying to be disrespectful. If they ever make an Anita O'Day story, Miley could be cast to play the part.
jrsygrl142 1 year ago
I'm gonna get killed for saying this but her jive delivery just doesn't do right for this song. Should be passionate and full of longing. I much prefer her on tunes like Malanguena.
49kasey 1 year ago
Anita sang this song better than anyone. Must be from the 1950's , anyway she was in her prime and she did this albeit with a rather clumsy rhythm section. I think that's Marty Napoleon on piano. Anyway, every time she sang this song it was different, a true jazz singer. Impeccable intonation.
orqsilva 1 year ago
that voice is killer-
sinister6sinister 1 year ago
Buff!!!!!!
loyolag 1 year ago
I've only recently discovered Anita but she's already jumped to the top end of my all time great Jazz vocalist/interpreters list. Her live version of 'Stella by Starlight' is definitive as is her 'Bewitched, Bothered...'. So much to learn from her. So inventive! Her phrasing is astonishing...
AcousticUplift 1 year ago
I remember the great sounding voice of Art Ford. Art Ford at four on WNEW.
almxx 1 year ago
Song starts at 1:28
robertlaberge 1 year ago
When I first heard the recorded version on "Anita Sings The Winners," a remarkable album, I nearly fainted. This is my favorite song and as inebriated all my 70 years as I've been about lady singers I never imagined anyone could take this song apart and put it back together again so brilliantly. Billie Holiday did the most searing versions and Joni James did the most naked--no embellishments, no drama, just straight out telling the story for real with the British lyrics.
waynebrasler 1 year ago
Love Anita!
ocnoreen 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this. What a fab version of a great song
carseggie55 1 year ago
shirley, big mama, aretha,
MrChemanfu 1 year ago
OMG OMG OMG OMG
ANITA O'DAY COVERED BODY AND SOUL!!!!!!
ANITA. O'DAY. COVERED. BODY. AND. SOUL.
THIS IS SO GREAT
OH MY GOD
This is my favourite person EVER
and my favourite jazz number EVER
OH SWEET JESUS
DevotedHelenFan 1 year ago 2
she recorded it long ago...go get "anita sings the winners" and you can hear it every day!
jeanesingsjazz 1 year ago
Lamento no haber descubierto antes esta maravillosa cantante, Sólo unos pocos años atrás la ví por tv en una actuación acompañada por su esposo en la batería en un club nocturno, que debe haber sido una de las últimas, Un recuerdo para una GRANDE.
charlesnorte 1 year ago
What is that pianist up to?? Hahaha!
charelsie 1 year ago
Comment removed
klrietmann 1 year ago
Funny how she looked at the pianist when she sang "are you still pretending?" I had the privilege of meeting and chatting with Anita a few times. Once I asked her if she remembered her brief stint in the Basie Band when Wardell Gray was also there. "Wardell", she mused "He could play 20 choruses and make you wonder where each one came from."
jazmaan 1 year ago
great Anita!!
franco212 1 year ago
Great clip! Nice to Mundell Lowe on guitar...A true Legend...
woodjump1 1 year ago
Hilarious -- she wanted a smoke! What a voice. Too bad the pianist was confused as to what she was doing. She kept her cool but I get the feeling she wanted to kill him.
plangentmusic 1 year ago 2
Peter Graves on guitar! Way cool bit of footage.
There's a score of clips of Art Ford's Jazz Party to be seen, they all seem to be from 1958.
klrietmann 1 year ago
She made the mistake, she made a key change by mistake you can hear that..., and the piano player didn't catch it..,,,,and she tried to compensate, but it didn't work.....it is obvious they rehearsed this anyway, before hand....this rendition is so far away from the original, that it would have had to be rehearsed, with that being said, no one can sing like her, and the recorded version is sensational and she is the BEST for improvisational technique...
7jazzmiss 1 year ago
@7jazzmiss I assure you, there was no mistake,Anita knew what she was doing every inch of the way,piano player didn't. He probably wasn't used to her time- she was unique and there certainly wasn't any rehearsal, you can take that to a bank.
vova47 1 year ago
@7jazzmiss Actually, the part of the song where the mistake was made, the key changes up a half step for that part of the song (that is actually how it is written) and she stayed in the starting key without moving up like she was supposed to. The piano player was very gracious though and actually acted kind of like it was his fault, which was the right thing to do, since he knew who the important one was!!! lol It was all still quite awesome.
frimpit 1 year ago
Dear frimpit, Not to blame Marty Napoleon, who is a fine piano player, but , for whatever reason, he missed the f minor chord at 2:10 and was lost for next two bars. It's true, she did not modulate half a step upto A Major for "that part of the song" commonly known as" the bridge", but then again piano player,being lost, did not give her the all important b minor7- E 7 chords leading to a bridge. But these things happen at the jam sessions and they all got together at the end. Cheers!
vova47 1 year ago
@vova47 "that part of the song", yes, you can tell I'm a rock musician, huh? lol
We save the term "bridge" usually for a third section, which jazz standards don't often have. Thanks for the jazz form terminology review (seriously!) Good observations my astute friend! But yes, it was all good in the end!! (By the way, do jazz songs ever contain what would be called a "verse" or is it all simply "chorus" and "bridge"?
frimpit 1 year ago
Dear frimpit, It depends... Virtually every standard song has a verse but only some of them ( Stardust, Lush Life) f. e., are included in a instrumental performance.When playing for singers, you are expected to know verses to many songs. Instrumental jazz tunes as a rule don't have verses. "Bridge" or a "channel" is in jazz lexicon always the middle part of a tune usually modulating to another key. Hope that answers your question.
vova47 1 year ago
@vova47 You are very kind and informative! Thanks for taking the time to answer my question, and you answered it quite well. You did a better job than any of my jazz playing friends, lol!!
frimpit 1 year ago
@frimpit You are very welcome, glad to be of help and share what little I know.
vova47 1 year ago
@vova47 You know more than I do, that's for certain! I'm getting a bit "mature" to enjoy rock n roll anymore, and jazz is really starting to capture my interests. It's quite a bit more intellectually challenging, and I'm afraid my resources in that area are less than the average jazz musician's. Nonetheless, kind, knowledgeable people such as yourself make the transition a bit easier for us common folk! thanks!!
frimpit 1 year ago
@vova47 The reason he missed it was because he couldn't follow Anita's awesome phrasing during the free time!! She messed with the rhythms of the melody so much that he got lost. It's also possible he couldn't hear her well enough because she was turned away from him. That's why she got closer to him and turned into him when he got off. It's super hard to be in sync when performing free time, especially when you haven't practiced together.
mollybutterfly 1 year ago
@mollybutterfly I agree with you and said it in my reply to 7jazzmiss two months ago. I am far from blaming fine player like Marty Napoleon for a litle clash at a jam session, particularly if he wasn't familiar with Anita's very unique way of phrasing .However, because it was so natural to her, she expected him to follow and got mad when he was lost. I feel that in retrospect if a pianist knows and follows the lyrics he (she) wouldn't get lost so easily.
vova47 1 year ago
@mollybutterfly
A professional pianist should be able to keep the rhythm/form and form of the song flowing in his head when singers are singing rubato. That's what the singer is depending on the pianist to do. Then he tells her way into the song, "He can't hear her' to try to make it Anita's fault that he got lost. He could hear just fine, he just wasn't on top of his game accompanying her. Nita knew just what she was doing. She was a master.
nancydrew5 1 year ago
@nancydrew5 ahhhhh
Feesharp9er 11 months ago
@mollybutterfly Spoken like a musician!
oldsyphilitic 2 months ago
@vova47 I stand corrected...I listened to this again, and as far as I am concerned, as you stated...he played the wrong chord...but it is obvious from the beginning that he wasn't keeping up with her at all...and when she starts improvising like that...look out....thanks for the valuable comment...
7jazzmiss 1 year ago
@7jazzmiss You are very welcome,my friend. It's been so long,I've forgotten all about it, but it was nice to hear from you.
Cheers!
vova47 1 year ago
WTF? The trhee queens - Ella, Billie, and ANITA??? What about SARAH VAUGHAN??
I guess there was some personal shit involved, because Anita can't hold a candle to Sarah....
tadd1 1 year ago
@tadd1 Sweetie, we are all entitled to our opinions, but check out the Newport Jazz Festival 1958 where she sings "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Tea for two"....if you don't think she's worthy of the comment, then I don't know.......
Jazsngr 1 year ago
@tadd1 I don't understand why some have to compare or pit singers against other singers . . .we should enjoy all the ladies and what they gave us . . . their own, each, very unique singing style . . . Billie, Anita, Sarah, Dinah, Ella, Peggy, Rosemary, Judy . . . slap me if I forgot someone!!
paul51 1 year ago 2
@paul51 June Christy. Consider yourself slapped. ;) They were all great in their own way, Art could have just been rattling off some personal faves, who cares?
This is (courtesy some link I found):
Charlie Shavers, trumpet; Tyree Glenn, trombone, vibraphone; Pee Wee Russell, clarinet; Bud Freeman, Georgie Auld, Joe Holiday, tenor sax; Harry Sheppard, vibes; Marty Napoleon, piano; Mundell Lowe, guitar; Vinnie Burke, bass; Zutty Singleton, drums.
klrietmann 1 year ago
@paul51 Carmen McRae,Shirley Horn, Etta Jones, Helen Humes, Lorez Alexandria, Irene Kral, Ernestine Anderson, Betty Carter.....need I go on or are you slapping yourself already ?
vova47 1 year ago
@tadd1 About three queens- that's some show business routine-he probably wanted to flatter Anita and naming more than 3 wouldn't have been much of a compliment. I have to disagree with you about her not being able to hold a candle to Sarah though - I am positive she could more than hold her own- her time feel was unique and she swung as much as anybody.
vova47 1 year ago
what year was this recorded?
triptoheaveandho 1 year ago
Anita O'Day, one of my all-time favorite Jazz singers.
lucasbig 1 year ago
Anita was so far ahead of her time they still haven't caught up. She not only was the musical equal of anyone she sang with, but the superior. She didn't front that combo, she lead it.
Notice how she casually drops into double time and sings the song over the improvisation with perfect diction. The band of studio musicians has trouble keeping up with her. You don't see that every day. I also like her role reversal attitude: I'll sing and the guy will mope around.
10jimharper 2 years ago 2
Anita was one of a kind. Thank you.
DunhillHilton 2 years ago 14
What a swell party that was.Outstanding!
local802blues 2 years ago
Go Anita!!!!!
kevidw 2 years ago
YOU SWING THAT SHIT !!!!
jrjazzsinger 2 years ago 6
lovely!
aldoarmstrong 2 years ago