I need to get away from the real world, for a little bit of a musical reprieve. So I am going to go back to the standards. I know that this isn’t as much fun as constant Taylor talk, but I can sit and listen to this stuff all day long. Here is an example of the same song done by two amazingly different artists. My dirty little secret is out. I like the old stuff. So for your listening pleasure here is “Lady Day” and a very young and wonderful “Sinatra”. Do with me what you may, this one’s for me.
Billie Holiday “One for my Baby”
Recorded January 1957: Billie Holiday and her Orchestra ( Verve)
Harry`Sweets`Edison (trumpet) Ben Webster (sax) Jimmy Rowles (piano) Barney Kessel (guitar) Red Mitchell (bass) Alvin Stoller (drums) Billie Holiday (vocals)
This is a classic song by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Just listen for the amazing trumpet and sax, they border on brilliance.
Frank Sinatra “One for my Baby”
Frank Sinatra recorded this song with Nelson Riddle shortly after in June 1958. He declared many times that Billie was one of his greatest influences. Maybe he was inspired by this recording? On the other hand, it was possible that Billie’s preference of string orchestras could have also been influenced by Sinatra. In fact, this would be her choice after leaving Verve.
For means of comparison, here is Frank’s version of the same song. Comparison is probably the wrong term here since they both stand alone through the test of time as unique.
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There’s nothing better than Billie Holiday and Ole’ Blue Eyes.
This rendition of One For My Baby is a great one too.
Sound,
Thank you so much for that link. I am sitting here wiping the tears from my eyes. There is nothing like Better Midler singin’ a song.