Valentine's Torch 2015 • Julie, Etta, Judy & Barbra

Clockwise: Julie London, Etta James, Barbra Streisand, and Judy Garland. 

It is Valentine's Day, so how could I not choose some of my favorite voices to sing about love? I decided I wanted to go with some live performances, which ruled out a few of them, but that actually made my job easier. I will start with a favorite of mine, as I remember hearing her music while I was growing up. Julie London could be heard playing from stereo when I was young, for my Mother loved listening to her. To this day, it warms my heart to even hear her voice. This is Julie London singing "Let There Be Love", with music by Lionel Rand and lyrics by Ian Grant, published in 1940.

If you are feeling romantic, how can you not think about the great song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, and sung to perfection by Etta James? The song was written for the 1941 musical 'Orchestra Wives', and was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. Nearly two decades later, it was recorded by James, and it became a hit for the singer. This is Etta James singing "At Last".

Next up, I picked a French popular song, with written by Léo Chauliac & Charles Trenet, first recorded by Trenet in 1943. "Que reste-t-il de nos amours?" was a hit in France, and used many times in soundtracks for French films. English-speaking audiences knew it was after new lyrics were written by Albert A. Beach, and it was introduced in 1957 by Keely Smith. That was when "I Wish You Love" became a world-wide hit, with many of the great singers recording their own version. I chose one by the great Judy Garland. She just had a way with songs that spoke to tortured romance, didn't she? This is Judy singing "I Wish You Love".

Finally, I thought I would offer one of my all-time favorites, Miss Barbra Joan Streisand. In a medley that features two spectacular songs, Barbra sand them at her 'Back to Brooklyn' concert recorded in 2012, when Streisand was 70 years old. And damn, she sounds and looks amazing! She is joined by handsome Chris Botti on trumpet on "What'll I Do", a song written in 1923 by the great Irving Berlin. For her second classic song, Barbra adds "My Funny Valentine", from the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical 'Babes in Arms' from 1937. That song was also included on the 1967 release, 'Simply Streisand'. I just couldn't let Valentine's Day go by without including it on the blog. So this is Barbra Streisand singing "What'll I Do/My Funny Valentine" featuring Chris Botti.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Gavin James • At Last

This morning I reviewed the latest from Irish singer/songwriter Gavin James, and mentioned I first discovered him via a clip of him singing "At Last", the classic song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the 1941 film, 'Orchestra Wives'. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. The song is perhaps most closely identified with the outstanding recording made almost two decades later, when Etta James had a huge hit with the song in 1960. Fast-forward more an fifty more years, and I come across this YouTube video, and find myself another singer/songwriter with whom I form a bond. This is Gavin James singing "At Last" at a Tower Records in Dublin, Ireland.

I guess this is me getting an early start to the Valentine's Day festivities. To learn more about Gavin James, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. For more about his music, you can check out my thoughts on his first full-length album, 'Live at Whelans' from earlier.

You'll Never Know • Songs of Warren & Gordon

Clockwise: Rosemary Clooney, Julie London, Etta James, and Doris Day.

Harry Warren and Mack Gordon were both very successful songwriters, and when they came together, they made magic. There is a rich catalog of songs from which to choose, so I just picked four of my favorites to share with you. I will start with a song written for the 1943 film, 'Hello, Frisco, Hello'. In the movie, "You'll Never Know" was sung by star Alice Faye. It was one of nine songs nominated for for an Oscar, and went on to win the 1943 Academy Award for 'Best Original Song'. Fast forward 9 years, and the song was recorded by Harry James Orchestra, with featured vocalist Rosemary Clooney. I have long found Clooney's voice to be heavenly, so I couldn't resist using her recording now. This is "You'll Never Know", by Rosemary Clooney with the Harry James Orchestra.

Our next song was published in 1945, and originally sung by Dick Haymes in the film 'Diamond Horseshoe'. "The More I See You" has been sung by countless other artists since, and we are all the better for it. The song has a gorgeous melody, and is rich with emotion. In 1959 singer/actress Julie London released the song as part of her album, 'Your Number Please'. London added her own touch to the song, a breathy sexiness that is tough to resist. This is Julie London singing "The More I See You".

"Serenade in Blue" was introduced in the 1942 film 'Orchestra Wives' by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, dubbed by Pat Friday for actress Lynn Bari. It was written as a Big Band number, with lush orchestrations. It was recorded by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, with featured vocalist Ray Eberle with backing vocals by The Modernaires. That recording was the 11th best selling song of the year. It quickly became a standard, sung by most of the top singers of the time. Twenty-two years later, it was recorded by movie star Doris Day for her 1964 album, 'Doris Day's Sentimental Journey'. It is lovely, with a gorgeous string section. This is Doris Day singing "Serenade in Blue".

For my final song this evening, I thought I would go with what is arguably the most famous song the collaborators wrote. "At Last" appeared in the 1941 musical 'Orchestra Wives', which starred George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. While it was popular, it is not the version most remember. That would be the recording from 1960, made by the magnificent Etta James. James released her debut album that year, as well as the title cut. "At Last" made it to #2 on Billboard's R&B chart, and #47 on the Billboard Hot 100. While I would have suspected the song did much better on the charts, it remains an iconic recording, and the most remembered for "At Last". Please enjoy Etta James with "At Last".

These songs are all available on iTunes and Amazon, in various collections. And all are well-worth having in your collection. I hope you enjoyed the post, and are having a great weekend!

Gregory Douglass • At Last

A whole back, singer/songwriter Gregory Douglass offered his 'Cover Art' series, where the talented Vermonter recorded popular songs originally performed by others, putting his own particular twist on the production. You see, I don't think Gregory would be very good at karaoke, for all his instincts are to sing songs like Gregory would, not like, say, Etta James. I know this because he has his own wonderful version of the song on YouTube and iTunes, and I am going to share it with you this morning.

For more about Gregory Douglass, visit his official website. You can also find him on Twitter and Facebook. I am sure he'd be more than happy if you were to stop by and say hello. You can purchase "At Last" on iTunes and Amazon.

Rest In Peace, Etta James

Yesterday, January 20, 2011, the world lost a voice , one that spoke with an honesty and the depth of her soul, supplied only by a life well-lived. Now the woman who has shared of herself so freely is gone, but has left so many great recordings behind for all to listen to, and learn from. Of course, there was the song for which Etta is most strongly remembered, At Last. The song was written in 1941 by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives. While other recordings do exist, it was Etta's magnificent 1961 recording that will always be regarded as the definitive version of the song.



This year, a cute thirteen-year-old made quite the impact on television when she sang a song first recorded by Etta. Young Rachel Crow took to the stage on the X-Factor, and did an amazing job with I'd Rather Go Blind. But it was James' 1968 that propelled the song, written by Ellington Jordan and Billy Foster, to become a blues classic. Here is Etta performing the song with BB King and his orchestra, and Dr. John.



The album Tell Mama was recording in December of 1967, and released in 1968. The first single was the title cut, and it was released before the album, and created a bit of a stir with strong reviews. Here is Miss Etta James performing Tell Mama live at the 1989 Montreux Jazz Festival.



In 1989, Etta James released what many viewed as a 'comeback' album. Like many others, Miss James had fought her demons, and it seemed like she finally had them conquered. She released a new album of blues music, including the next song, Damn Your Eyes, off the album Seven Year Itch. It was written by Steve Bogard and Barbara Wyrick, and sung to perfection by Etta James.



In 1963, James released Etta James Top Ten, and collection of her hits from the previous couple of years. It is certainly a collection worth owning, as it includes some iconic songs, like At Last, Fool That I Am, and Sunday Kind Of Love, as well as a wonderful song written by Etta, Leroy Kirkland, and Pearl Woods. Here is a live performance of Something's Got A Hold On Me.



Rest In Peace, Etta James. You earned it.

Sunday Morning with Jason Walker

A few months ago, I reviewed the new album by Jason Walker, a truly amazing singer. You can check it out here. He has a voice that mesmerizes, mystifies, and hypnotizes me. He often releases dance music perfect for the clubs, but I thought I would focus on some beautiful ballads more suitable for a Sunday morning, the music you could listen to while snuggling in bed, fixing breakfast, or reading the Sunday New York Times. Only problem is, it might distract you from what you are doing. Take, for example, his cover of the signature song of the great Etta James, At Last. He just lets it go, and sings his heart out.



The next song is a performance from his CD Release Party in New York City this summer, a song from the album. I Love You (The Story of Roberta & Fisher) is a gorgeous song that showcases the amazing range and flexibility of his voice.



With a beautiful Brazilian beat in the background, Jason brings a cool and sexy vibe to Como Te Llamas.



For more about Jason Walker, check out his official website here. Go there an listen to some more of his music, and find the links to all the places you can find him.