ANITA O'Day: INDESTRUCTIBLE

the trailer for an upcoming documentary on Anita O'Day's life.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• anita
• o'day
• indestructible
• jazz
• singer

[jimnick1]

No she isn't! Anita is great and Billie is great! don't compare them....

[jalex11]

Anyone that says Billie Holiday had no voice by the end is missing the point. Billie never had a technically remarkable voice, what she had to offer was a completely innovative style and timbre, phenomenal musicianship and an ability to add emotional intensity to her selections.I am not taking anything away from Anita, but Billie came FIRST and pioneered the style that indirectly and directly inspired Anita's own personal style.

[badback22]

@EXQUISITESOUNDS "legendary intonation problems" I have listened to her two songs at that Newport Jazz Festival that was filmed. She was hitting everything with the skill of Indian and Middle Eastern singers who use quarter tones! She must have used some quarter tones in that performance. If you do not know what quarter tones are - you may percieve them as being notes off key because what they are are notes half way between a half tone. But I have to listen to the rest, I just discovered her.

[EXQUISITESOUNDS]

Creed Taylor stated if he didn't double her voice on the Tjader LP she would be drowned out. He and Norman Granz both lamented assiduously over her legendary intonation problems, and like Chris Connor her perrenial affectations. Jerri Winters and Pinky Winters were the real deal. These were two of the best white jazz singers ever who respected that this was a Black Artform and sang from the true essence of their souls. Jerri studied Sarah Vaughan and Pinky studied Lorez Alexandria.

[EXQUISITESOUNDS]

@DeedleDeedleDumplin My statements concerning Anita were shared by most serious musicians and quoted by her producers Norman Granz and Creed Taylor. Taylor stated he had to double her voice on the lp with Cal Tjader and Granz gave her everything including the best musicians to try and ensure a white jazz singer could be made relevant singing an African-American artform. As I previously stated, there were several other white so-called jazz singers who were far more talented with better voices.

[DeedleDeedleDumplin]

@EXQUISITESOUNDS "uninteresting delivery" is subjective. As for "small voice"...also subjective. And I happen to enjoy her scatting : ) She was not as good as Ella, in my lowly opinion, but she was a talented jazz singer nevertheless....

[EXQUISITESOUNDS]

@TheJazzStreet There were many white singers who had far superior instruments than Anita O'day. Jerri Winters, Ann Richards, June Christy, Claudia Thompson, Pat Morrissey, Morgana King. Everyone knew anita had a very small voice with less than average timbre, serious intonation problems, phrasing and scatting that was riddled with affectations and just plain uninteresting delivery. Yes, she could keep time but a story teller she was not and had great difficulty singing in tune.

[eehaslam]

As a singer, I worship Anita O'Day, and cannot believe so many never hard of her. I have to add I did not like Billie Holiday, and art is subjective. Of course you should NEVER compare. I appreciate that Billie was an icon and gifted in her own right.

[sizemeat]

"I was amazed at myself" I love it when true talent appreciates itself and doesn't go for the false humble crap. Love her.

[romamruin]

Another great legend. Jazz musician's singer - she had that special touch - Timing - Pitch - sound - Improvisation - a natural born Honeypie. True Artist!