Summertime Torch

Clockwise: Carly Simon, Queen Latifah, Chaka Khan, and kd lang.

This week I decided to look at the more recent past for examples of some talented ladies taking on some classic songs. Honestly, I didn't need to look too far, for there is plenty from which to choose. I am not sure why, but the first name to pop into my head was Carly Simon. Truthfully, I just started singing the title cut from her album 'Boys in the Trees', but that reminded me she released 'Torch' in 1991. The album was a collection of torch songs, from a variety or times and sources. I decided to go with Carly singing "I Get Along Without You Very Well", the amazing song by Hoagy Carmichael. It was composed in 1939, and was introduced by Dick Powell on the radio. Many years later, Carmichael performed the song with sexy Jane Russell in the 1952 film 'The Las Vegas Story'. But this is Carly Simon singing "I Get Along Without You Very Well".

"Lust Life" was written in the 1930s by Billy Strayhorn, a talented openly gay man of color living at a time when neither of those attributes were a positive. Strayhorn was so very talented, and worked much of him professional life with Duke Ellington, who appreciated the young man's gifts. Billy wrote the music for what might be Ellington's greatest hit, "Take The 'A' Train". "Lush Life" has been recorded by many, for it is a beautiful song. Nat King Cole and John Coltrane both recorded the song, with much success. Strayhorn thought the best version was recorded by Billy Eckstine in 1960. In 1998, the song was recorded by rapper Queen Latifah for the soundtrack of the film 'Living Out Loud', and later put it on her 'standards' record, 'The Dana Owens Album' in 2004. I was stunned, for I didn't really know she could sing this well. I hope you enjoy Queen Latifah singing "Lush Life" as much as I do.

One of the early posts on this blog was dedicated to the amazing voice of kd lang. Ther is such richness, and so much depth to her voice, I find her impossible to resist. She has such a full catalog, with songs from just about every genre. From Country to Jazz, from Adult Contemporary to Rockabilly, kd did it all with an ease and grace few could deliver. For tonight, I picked her version of a song written in 1948, with music by Sonny Burke, and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. "Black Coffee" was recorded by Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, and Ella Fitzgerald, all by 1960. In 1988, lang recorded it for her album 'Shadowland', under the watchful eye of legendary producer Owen Bradley. She and Bradley gave the song a Jazz feel, with a Country twang. This is kd lang singing "Black Coffee".

For the final entry of the evening, I found it impossible to resist the charms of the one and only Chaka Khan. Mostly remembered as the R&B Diva of the 1970s and 1980s, Khan has continued to make music with the singular style only she can bring to the table. Chaka Khan sings "Summertime" from 'Porgy and Bess'. The song has music by the incomparable George Gershwin, and lyrics by DuBose Heyward, who wrote the original novel 'Porgy' that was the basis for the opera. But once Chaka starts to sing during her 1993 performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival, there is no thought to the original show, only the amazing journey Khan was about to take us on. This is Chaka Khan singing "Summertime".

Have a great weekend!

Dark Monday • Broadway Valentine

Clockwise: Annie Lennox, Mandy Patinkin, Chaka Khan, John Barrowman, Daniel Boys, and Ella Fitzgerald.

It is the night before Valentine's Day, so I thought I would pony up to the bar with a few love songs that were from Broadway musicals. But I thought I would offer different interpretations, other than the Broadway cast. I will start out with a fairly famous song, a standard unto itself. It has been sung by many, but few quite like this version, sung by Annie Lennox on New Years Eve 2009. She sings Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man from the 1927 musical Showboat, with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.



This next song is another great song, sung by some great voices in productions. It is a bit harder to sing, so it doesn't have nearly the amount of covers that the first did, but they are pretty special. This is If I Loved You from the Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II musical from 1946, Carousel. It is being performed by Mandy Patinkin in a live show. He blows me away.



The next entry is from the musical 1937 Babes in Arms, and written by the great songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. It is truly one of the great songs in the Great American Songbook, with covers by countless singers. This is My Funny Valentine by Chaka Khan, recorded to be a part of the soundtrack to the 1995 film, Waiting To Exhale.



Then next song was written for a 1943 musical that few people have heard of, Speak Low from the 1943 musical One Touch Of Venus composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ogden Nash. This is an incredible performance by Ella Fitzgerald and Jazz guitarist Joe Pass.



The song I Know Him So Well was an incredible love song from the 1986 show Chess, music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA, and with lyrics by Tim Rice. It was sung by the two female leads, about a man who they both loved. I love this version by John Barrowman & Daniel Boys, singing about the man they both loved.



Happy Valentine's Day!

Party Like It's 1984

Clockwise: Simplicious featuring Eugene Wilde; Jocelyn Brown; Chaka Khan; and Prince.

Ah, 1984. I was living in New York City, working off-Broadway theater, and forging a life with Bill. Honestly, I didn't have much money, but I did work in the heart of Greenwich Village, so while I didn't go out all that much, the music was everywhere. I worked at Sheridan Square, the corner of Seventh Avenue South and West 4th Street, right around the corner from The Monster, a gay club. Especially during the summer, you could hear the music rolling down the street from the club. Of course, it was not the only place playing dance music in the West Village, as you could hear a thumping bass line everywhere you went. One of those songs you were sure to hear was the #4 Dance song of the year, Let Her Feel It by Simplicious (featuring Eugene Wilde).



Not all the dance music for 1984 fell into the easily definable parameters of disco music. Take, for example, the next song on the count, Jocelyn Brown's Somebody Else's Guy. It starts out diva-balladish, but before you know it, Brown is taking it to new heights, both as a dance song, and as a soaring soul ballad. Damn, the woman can sing.



And if you wanna talk about a different kind of dance song, you never have to look further than Minneapolis native Prince and his anthemic Purple Rain. While there was an album and a movie with that same name, I am referring to the song of that name, the one that swept the nation in 1984. It was also sweeping the clubs, and was the #2 Dance song of the year.



But in 1984, there was nothing that could touch the success of Chaka Khan's I Feel For You. Well, interestingly enough, the song was written by Prince, and was on 1979 self-titled album. Chaka brought with her the rapping of Melle Mel, and Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica. And, of course, her huge performance with that amazing voice, immense talent, and all that hair!

Chaka's Valentine

Yes, that Chaka - like this is another that matters. Chaka Khan, singing My Funny Valentine. If this doesn't seem great to you, call a doctor and let them check if you are still alive. That's all I am saying.