Tag: Jazz

Song Of The Day – Sarah Vaughan – "Lover Man"

 

English: Sarah Vaughan, possibly Cafe Society,...
English: Sarah Vaughan, possibly Cafe Society, NYC, ca. August 1946. Photography by William P. Gottlieb. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

It is a great day to be swept away by a singer with exceptional talent.  The late great Sarah Vaughan was such a singer.  This track was taped in 1958 and is Sarah’s version of “Lover Man”.  A standard jazz song that has also been recorded by such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James. Norah Jones, Billie Holiday and, strangely enough, Michael Jackson.  The song was written for Billie Holiday in 1941 by Jimmy Davis, Roger Ramirez and James Sherman.  The original by Billie was inducted to Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989.

 

Lover Man

 

 

Remembering Janet Carroll

 

Cover of "Risky Business"
Cover of Risky Business

 

Actress, singer Janet Carroll passed away on May 22.  She was 71.  Better known as an actress (think Tom Cruise’s mother in Risky Business and Gary, the owner of the shoe store Al Bundy worked at on Married…With Children) she was also an accomplished singer with many credits on Broadway and with a wide variety of jazz bands.  Her career spanned over 40 years.  Here is a sample of her work with The Hot Frogs Jumping Jazz Band, recorded in 1988.

 

That Terrific Rainbow

 

 

Song of The Day – The Meters – “Come Together”

The Meters (album)
The Meters (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My trivia question on George Harrison’s cover version of “Got My Mind Set On You” set me to thinking.  Hmmm, George, Beatles, great songs, covers.  Made me want to hear a Beatles song, but not by the Beatles, and not a cover that was well-known.  I settled on one of my favourite songs by them, “Come Together” and remembered this version done by The Meters.  These guys were a New Orleans funk band that were together in the 60’s and 70’s.  They did not have much mainstream success but were held in high regard by many in the know.  They backed up a lot of people, names like Dr. John and Robert Palmer.  This cover has a great edge to it, as edgy as the original I would venture.  As a special add-on, Ii have also included an all time funk classic.  Enjoy.

Come Together

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Cissy Strut

Song Of The Day – Remembering Carrie Smith

 

English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Fr...
English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Français : La chanteuse de Jazz Carrie Smith à Bagneux (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20.  She was 86.  Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002.  In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries.  Here is a terrific example of her style.

Am I Blue

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A second song.  This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice.  A terrific band as well.  And check out the tap dancing.

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Song Of The Day – Remembering Carrie Smith

 

 

English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Fr...
English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Français : La chanteuse de Jazz Carrie Smith à Bagneux (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20.  She was 86.  Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002.  In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries.  Here is a terrific example of her style.

 

Am I Blue

 

 

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A second song.  This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice.  A terrific band as well.  And check out the tap dancing.

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Song Of The Day – Eva Cassidy – Wade In The Water

Eva Cassidy discography
Eva Cassidy discography (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This interpretation of the classic “Wade In The Water” by the late Eva Cassidy (1963-1996) is a staple on my iPhone. What a great song. She was an adept singer whose repertoire covered pretty much everything from pop to gospel. A superb singer, taken far to early.

Eva Cassidy Home

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Wade In The Water

Song Of The Day – Remembering Joe Muranyi

Jazz clarinetist Joe Muranyi. : Muranyi speaki...
Jazz clarinetist Joe Muranyi. : Muranyi speaking at Satchmo Summerfest in New Orleans. Lousy photo taken at wrong stop for the light uploaded because no better free licensed photo of subject found. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Song of the Day dedicates this post to Joe Muranyi.  He passed away on April 20 at the age of  84.  Joe was a jazz player, who specialized in the clarinet and was also a vocalist.  His career was highlighted by a stint (1967-71) with the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, where he played clarinet.  He was also a producer, a critic and created liner notes for many albums.  The attached song is from 2008.

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans

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Remembering Teddy Charles

This man played with Charlie Parker! Jazz vibr...
Jazz vibraphone legend Teddy Charles (Photo credit: NewYorkBrass)

Jazz vibraphonist, Teddy Charles passed away on April 16.  He was 84.  Dion, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis are some of the people he played and recorded with in his career.  His main period of creating was the 1950’s.  In his later years, he was captain of a Caribbean charter vessel, and had returned to music over the last few years, releasing an album as recently as 2009.  I have attached two videos here, the first is off a 1956 album, the second is an interview done in relation to his 2009 release.

Just One Of Those Things

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Teddy Charles

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