Amazing Ladies Sing About Love

Clockwise: Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Dione Warwick, and Rosemary Clooney.

I find it impossible for me to do a torch song post without being in awe of the group of talented ladies. It is a collection of classic voices, some with household names, others with a bit of a cult following. The first young lady was singing background vocals for many of the top stars of the late 50s and early 60s, having been first noticed singing with a gospel group, which won the weekly amateur contest at the legendary Apollo Theater. Soon she was noticed by in one of the sessions by writer Burt Bacharach, who, along with writing partner Hal David, singed the young lady with the voice they loved. Soon Dionne was singing their songs and making the pairing of Dionne with Bacharach and David a steady member of the Pop charts. That would include their startling song from 1964, "Walk On By".

While she couldn't seem to get a job with a big band the way every other girl singer was doing in the late 30s, she became the first woman singer to take her talent solo, and certainly made a name for herself in the 40s and 50s. Dinah Shore couldn't get the job with Benny Goodman or either Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey, so she followed her own path to fame. In 1944, she appeared in Belle of the Yukon, and sung the beautiful song by Jimmy van Heusen, "Like Someone In Love". She later went on to host her own talk show. Despite several marriages and high-profile relationships, Dinah's support of Women's Golf somehow translated into constant rumors of her being a lesbian, which is not really supported by any fact.

Our next singer needs no introduction, especially form me. Ella Fitzgerald is a brilliant singer, with a career spanning seven decades, from the 30s to the 90s. she just had so much talent, be it her ability to scat, to groove on some jazz, or just flat out sing a song. This video is of her singing Cole Porter's great song, "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye". This clip is from 1965, but she originally recorded the song in 1956.

I can't tell you how much I loved the ovice of our final singer tonight. My mother played her music, and she was certainly in some of my favorite films I remember watching, including 'White Christmas'. Rosemary Clooney's voice was so lovely, with a depth of tone that could bring you to tears as easily as it could get you dancing. Enjoy her singing her 1954 hit, "Hey There", written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for their Broadway musical, 'The Pajama Game'.

I just can't get enough...

Frank, Dean and Sammy • Pack Mentality

Left to right: Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra.

While this didn't start out to be a Rat Pack post, it just ended up that way. Once you have Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin on the list, how can you not bring Sammy Davis, Jr. to the party as well? I couldn't figure out a way, but realized I would just be foolish to do it. So I offer you the man, the main members of the famed Rat Pack, singing some iconic songs, great representatives of the Great American Songbook.

Left to right: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis, Jr.

I thought there is no way better to start out this post than with a legend singing a great song written by the amazing Cole Porter. In 1943, the movie 'Reveille With Beverly' featured a performance by a young man named Frank Sinatra, who was introduced in the film by a young Ann Miller. The song was written a decade earlier for the musical 'The Gay Divorcee', and sung by Fred Astaire. Here is a clip from the film, with Frank Sinatra singing the classic "Night and Day".

The next great song is from the musical 'The Pajama Game', written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. "Hey There" was introduced by John Raitt in the original Broadway production, but the song is best known from the recording by Rosemary Clooney, which went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1954. About the same time, the song was recorded by Sammy Davis, Jr., and his version of the song went to #16 on the Billboard chart. The song showed the strength of Sammy's voice, and it is easy to see why it was a hit for both artists. This is Sammy Davis Jr. singing "Hey There" on 'The Colgate Summer Comedy Hour'.

Our next song was first known as "Nel blu dipinto di blu", the English translation "In the Sky, Painted Blue". But it is better known by another name, "Volare". Translated to English as "To Fly", the song was written by Franco Migliacci and Domenico Modugno, and released in 1958 by Modugno. His version went to #1 on the charts all over the world, and soo the song was being covered by many. That would included the third member of the Rat Pack, Dean Martin. I remember hearing Martin's cover playing in my house growing up, my mother was a big fan of Dean's music. This is Dean Martin singing "Volare".

Our final song was written by lyricist Billy Rose was and composer Dave Dreyer, although it also listed Al Jolson in the credits. Rose was the third husband of the great Fanny Brice, and it was said the 'shadow' in the song was Nicky Arnstein, Brice's second husband. The song is "Me and My Shadow", was a huge hit for Jolson in 1927, and quickly became a classic. I was thrilled to find this clip of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. performing the song together live. This is Frank and Sammy with the classic "Me and My Shadow".

Have a great weekend!

Old Love, New Love

Clockwise from top: Margaret Whiting, Dinah Shore, Rosemary Clooney and Ella Fitzgerald.

I thought I would come back to this sweet sound with yet another group of talented ladies. The songs they sing, they are all about love. But that love is in different stages, from brand new love, to a life-long love. This is a collection of classic voices, some with household names, others with a bit of a cult following. The first would fall more into the latter, as Margaret Whiting might not have the cache of some of the ladies who follow, but certainly had a long career. Margaret was raised in the business, with father Richard Whiting a songwriter who had written classics like "Hooray For Hollywood". After having her heyday in the 1940s and 1950s, she continued to sing in clubs on both coasts. In 1994, she married gay adult star Jack Wrangler, a very happy couple until his passing in 2009. Margaret passed in January of 2011. In 1945, she had a hit singing "It Might As Well Be Spring" with Paul Weston and his Orchestra.

While she couldn't seem to get a job with a big band the way every other girl singer was doing in the late 30s, she became the first woman singer to take her talent solo, and certainly made a name for herself in the 40s and 50s. Dinah Shore couldn't get the job with Benny Goodman or either Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey, so she followed her own path to fame. In 1944, she appeared in Belle of the Yukon, and sung the beautiful song by Jimmy van Heusen, "Like Someone In Love". She later went on to host her own talk show. Despite several marriages and high-profile relationships, Dinah's support of Women's Golf somehow translated into constant rumors of her being a lesbian, which is not really supported by any fact.

Our next singer needs no introduction, especially form me. Ella Fitzgerald is a brilliant singer, with a career spanning seven decades, from the 30s to the 90s. she just had so much talent, be it her ability to scat, to groove on some jazz, or just flat out sing a song. This video is of her singing Cole Porter's great song, "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye". This clip is from 1965, but she originally recorded the song in 1956.

I can't tell you how much I loved the voice of our final singer tonight. My mother played her music, and she was certainly in some of my favorite films I remember watching, including "White Christmas". Rosemary Clooney's voice was so lovely, with a depth of tone that could bring you to tears as easily as it could get you dancing. Enjoy her singing her 1954 hit, "Hey There", written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for their Broadway musical, "The Pajama Game".

Glorious music, indeed.

Here's To The Ladies Who Carry The Torch

Clockwise from top: Margaret Whiting, Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney.

I thought I would come back to this sweet sound with yet another group of talented ladies. It is a collection of classic voices, some with household names, others with a bit of a cult following. The first would fall more into the latter, as Margaret Whiting might not have the cache of some of the ladies who follow, but certainly had a long career, having been raised in the business, as father Richard Whiting was a songwriter, having written classics like "Hooray For Hollywood". After having her heyday in the 40s and 50s, she continued to sing in clubs on both coasts. In 1994, she married gay adult star Jack Wrangler, and they stayed together until his passing in 2009. Margaret passed in January of 2011. In 1945, She had a hit singing "It Might As Well Be Spring" with Paul Weston and his Orchestra.

While she couldn't seem to get a job with a big band the way every other girl singer was doing in the late 30s, she became the first woman singer to take her talent solo, and certainly made a name for herself in the 40s and 50s. Dinah Shore couldn't get the job with Benny Goodman or either Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey, so she followed her own path to fame. In 1944, she appeared in 'Belle of the Yukon', and sung the beautiful song by Jimmy van Heusen, "Like Someone In Love". She later went on to host her own talk show. Despite several marriages and high-profile relationships, Dinah's support of Women's Golf somehow translated into constant rumors of her being a lesbian, which is not really supported by any fact.

Our next singer needs no introduction, especially for me. Ella Fitzgerald is a brilliant singer, with a career spanning seven decades, from the 30s to the 90s. she just had so much talent, be it her ability to scat, to groove on some jazz, or just flat out sing a song. This video is of her singing Cole Porter's great song, "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye". This clip is from 1965, but she originally recorded the song in 1956.

I can't tell you how much I loved the voice of our final singer tonight. My mother played her music, and she was certainly in some of my favorite films I remember watching, including 'White Christmas'. Rosemary Clooney's voice was so lovely, with a depth of tone that could bring you to tears as easily as it could get you dancing. Enjoy her singing her 1954 hit, "Hey There", written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for their Broadway musical, 'The Pajama Game'.

Have a great time with what remains of your weekend!