Lee Morse "IF YOU WANT THE RAINBOW" (1928)

"If You Want the Rainbow"
(You Must Have the Rain)
Music by Oscar Levant
Words by Billy Rose and Mort Dixon
Sung by Lee Morse accompanied by Her Blue Grass Boys
Recorded November 3, 1928, New York

Lee Morse (1897-1954) was a female, vocal stylist of the 1920s and 1930s with a throaty, jazz-phrased, rather uninhibited style. Sometimes easy swinging style along Gene Austin lines with voice raised in slight yodel. Extensive recording, often used outstanding musicians, including Benny Goodman, Manny Klein, Tommy Dorsey, Adrian Rollini, Eddie Lang, Rube Bloom. Usually billed as Lee Morse and Her Blue Grass Boys. Played vaudeville many years.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lee Morse
• If you want the rainbow
• Oscar Levant
• Mort Dixon
• Billy Rose
• 1928
• 78rpm
• ballad
• torch
• song
• sentimental
• guitar
• piano
• roaring
• twenties
• jazz
• vocal
• Annette Hanshaw

[rdcoddington]

I was watching a Leon Redbone interview from last month in Canada and he was asked what his favorite artist was. He said he realy liked Lee Morse so I thought I'd look her up and I must say I like her singing and she was a beautiful woman too! Just had to get a 2 CD album of her thru amazon.com.

[bsgs98]

@rdcoddington You might compare her to Ruth Etting and Annette Hanshaw who were Lee's contemporaries. Each were very good but they were different. Lee Morse was probably the most soulful of the three, which may have been a reflection of her own tragic life. I also bought the "Echoes of a Songbird Album" CD which might be the same one you mentioned.

[scooterlaine]

Optimism is transcendent of time when it's needed most. Thank you for sharing a treasure.

[bsgs98]

@scooterlaine Thanks! I appreciate your thought. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[ohhwhatsherface]

I'm glad you posted such a wonderful song here on Youtube. As a teenager in this day and age, its hard to find great songs like this anymore. It's nice to hear a voice that's not electronically altered. Youtube is helping me discover all these great songs and artists from the 1920's. I'll be looking at your other videos! :)

[bsgs98]

@ohhwhatsherface There are many great songs and artists that should not be forgotten. YouTube has provided a means for record collectors to share what they love. Thanks for your comments!

[TheDejael]

Wow, she was only about 20 to 40 years ahead of her time! She looks so contemporary in her photos, and her voice is so wonderful too!

[rdcoddington]

@bsgs98 Yes that is the one I bought.

[preservationhall01]

Thanks fror the time you took to make and upload this. Love her unique voice and style.

[Lapisha1929]

Have adored this song for 40 years this my first listenig of Miss Lee Morse, and she is boffo! She adds the right amount of pathos to the lyrics. Dramatic Diva!!! You go girl!

[NorbertZF]

Miss Morse certainly puts to shame all, and I do mean ALL, those no talent wannabes that are constantly foisted on the public through such venues as American Idol! Have people forgotten how to actually sing and what music actually is??? We all need to re-examine and listen again to REAL big names of the past decades. Thanks for this and other sound bytes!!!

[dplomin1954]

Beautiful voice, tragic life. A song that is timeless!