How Julie London enticed Jeff into basshood
Continue reading...Vocalists
185: Frank Sinatra, ‘High Hopes’
‘Lyrist’ Sammy Cahn and his composer partner Jimmy Van Heusen wrote 87 songs for Frank Sinatra.
Asked “Which comes first, the words or the music?” Sammy answered “The phone call.”
058: Dave Frishberg, ‘Van Lingle Mungo’
The lyric consists entirely of names of obscure baseball players from the late 1940s and early 1950s. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to feel here the magic that only music can create–what our adult heart does with the treasured memories of our youth.
Continue reading...023: Tommy Edwards, ‘It’s All In the Game’
The only #1 hit written by a sitting Vice President.
And it wasn’t Mike Pence or Spiro Agnew.
114: Luciana Souza, ‘Morrer de Amor’
‘Morrer de Amor’ as sung by Luciana Souza – the lyrics of this song are in a language I don’t understand, and I know almost nothing about its background. But the rendition is of such utter beauty and unspeakable perfection that its emotional eloquence transcends explication. I’m just going to turn off my analytical brain, close my verbose mouth, and hope that you’ll be as moved by it as I am.
Continue reading...267: Boz Scaggs, ‘Lowdown’ (“Fade Into Light”)
What a singer. What a musician. What a cool guy.
Continue reading...261: Kurt Elling/Sting, ‘Practical Arrangement’
Love songs ain’t what they used to be.
Love ain’t what it used to be.
Kurt Elling brings something new to the table.