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!

Love Songs For Valentine's Day

Clockwise: Anita O'Day, Sarah Vaughan, Julie London, and Blossom Dearie.

As we are less than 24 hours removed from Valentine's Day, the aroma of roses, chocolate, and wine is still on the air. Yes, that means love is still in the air, and so I thought I would continue that mood. After all, I often think this world could use more love and less hate. And I will do it using some of my favorite ladies to deliver them. I will begin with a song recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra. "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" was composed in 1932 by George Bassman, with lyrics by Ned Washington. It was a popular hit for Dorsey, and was sung by the great Frank Sinatra when he was with the orchestra. But I do love the recording made by Anita O'Day. There is such a depth to her vocals, and I can't get enough. You can find her recording on the album 'Skylark', which has some other great songs. But the one that matters most right now is Anita O'Day singing "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You".

The next song up was written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie in 1938, and recorded by some of the great names in the business, including Billie Holiday and Judy Garland. Tonight, I'd liek to share with you the recording by Sarah Vaughan, having recorded it with Count Basie and his Orchestra. I have long been a fan of Sarah's style, a true Jazz singer who takes each song on a journey that is clearly her own. This is Sarah Vaughan with Count Basie performing "You Go To My Head".

I have long enjoyed the song "Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours?", which translates to "What Remains of Our Love?". It was composed by Léo Chauliac and Charles Trenet, with lyrics by Charles Trenet. It was recorded in 1942 by Trenet, a popular hit in France. In 1957, the song was given new lyrics by Albert A. Beach for the first solo album by Keely Smith. She introduced the American audiences to the song, now known as "I Wish You Love". The song became an instant favorite of many, all offering their own take on it. I do love many of them, but thought I would share the one by Blossom Dearie, the woman who ruled dinner clubs and Jazz rooms in New York City. Her style is special, and so very sweet. She included the song on her 1964 album, 'May I Come In'. This is Blossom Dearie with "I Wish You Love".

I do remember listening to Julie London when I was young, as my mother loved her music. She would play her on the Hi-Fi, and I remember thinking the lady on the cover was just beautiful. Her style was so smokey and sexy, it is easy to understand why she was so popular. I found her recording of "I Left My Heart in San Fransisco", a song written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross. While the song is very much identified with Tony Bennett, he was not the first to do so. It was sung by Claramae Turner, who often sang it as an encore for her live shows. In 1957, the song appeared on 'Make Love to Me', an album of love songs performed by London. I truly enjoyed her take on it. This is Julie London singing "I Left My Heart in San Fransisco".

Interestingly enough, Tony Bennett didn't sing the song until 1961, but the song considered 'his'. Have a great weekend!