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[Edited 9/17/11 20:22pm]

I guess this is one of those songs that got recorded a lot, but the only one I'm familiar with is Kay Starr's.

The sound of that man's voice always amazes me. It sounds painful yet I love listening to it and it is one of the most distinct voices ever. I am not that familiar with this song. I may have it in one of my "best of" compilations, but i don't recall it.

That was THE performance that turned me from indifference to total admiration. I caught myself tearing up when I saw it in Ken Burns' Jazz, not because of his voice(although its moving) but because of his playing.

It wasn't much later until I discovered "West End Blues" and got really hit in the chest.

This is how I came to hear the song though...

When she said My heart has an ache, its as heavy as stone she meant that shit. She recorded the song couple of times before, but this live performance trumps her other versions IMO.

Harlepolis said:

That was THE performance that turned me from indifference to total admiration. I caught myself tearing up when I saw it in Ken Burns' Jazz, not because of his voice(although its moving) but because of his playing.

It wasn't much later until I discovered "West End Blues" and got really hit in the chest.

This is how I came to hear the song though...

When she said My heart has an ache, its as heavy as stone she meant that shit. She recorded the song couple of times before, but this live performance trumps her other versions IMO.

I have no understanding of music except for my own endless listening to it. This woman and Phyllis Hyman have something to their voice that can actually bring me to tears. Amy Winehouse could move me but no actual tears. What is it in their voice that does this to me? ( Louis Armstrong had it and Ray Charles can also move me on certain songs too. )

Great pick Gap-Man.

The song was covered quite a bit.

Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday having some of the most familar early vocal versions.


The song was originally an instrumental...



...with versions by Art Tatutm and Lester Young.

The Lester Young recording features Nat King Cole on piano and Buddy Rich on drums.


Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

theAudience said:

The song was originally an instrumental...
...with versions by Art Tatutm and Lester Young.

The Lester Young recording features Nat King Cole on piano and Buddy Rich on drums.

Kool, thanx for the adds and the info!!!!!! I hadn't heard the Lester Young version...

Lester was interesting Kat....he's basically THE bridge between Swing and Bebop.......

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[Edited 9/18/11 14:48pm]

This has been sitting in my wishlist for quite awhile...

[img:$uid]http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004S2AW.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg[/img:$uid]

I'm afraid I don't know much about Pres outside of his work with the Count & Lady Day. I think I'll go ahead and purchase this.

Harlepolis said:

This has been sitting in my wishlist for quite awhile...

[img:$uid]http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004S2AW.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg[/img:$uid]

I'm afraid I don't know much about Pres outside of his work with the Count & Lady Day. I think I'll go ahead and purchase this.

Ooh, nice choice!!!! I don't have that set either!

....

I have this on a cassette of various songs that I recorded when I was going to school.

Deadflow3r said:

Harlepolis said:

That was THE performance that turned me from indifference to total admiration. I caught myself tearing up when I saw it in Ken Burns' Jazz, not because of his voice(although its moving) but because of his playing.

It wasn't much later until I discovered "West End Blues" and got really hit in the chest.

This is how I came to hear the song though...

When she said My heart has an ache, its as heavy as stone she meant that shit. She recorded the song couple of times before, but this live performance trumps her other versions IMO.

I have no understanding of music except for my own endless listening to it. This woman and Phyllis Hyman have something to their voice that can actually bring me to tears. Amy Winehouse could move me but no actual tears. What is it in their voice that does this to me? ( Louis Armstrong had it and Ray Charles can also move me on certain songs too. )

I understand exactly what you mean, Deadflow3r, especially with Billie. I listen to her a lot and always get that feeling.

NewPowerSista said:

Deadflow3r said:

I have no understanding of music except for my own endless listening to it. This woman and Phyllis Hyman have something to their voice that can actually bring me to tears. Amy Winehouse could move me but no actual tears. What is it in their voice that does this to me? ( Louis Armstrong had it and Ray Charles can also move me on certain songs too. )

I understand exactly what you mean, Deadflow3r, especially with Billie. I listen to her a lot and always get that feeling.

It is crazy isn't it? To actually start crying out of no where! I am not talking about being sad to start with and then putting on Billie to help release the tears, NO. I am talking about not being upset, or at least not knowing that I was upset, listening to her and then to begin to just cry. That is an amazing power. She died 2 years before I was even born so her voice is reaching me through time. I was given absolutely no musical education to speak of so I am grasping at straws here, but is it the "phrasing"? Leona Lewis has a beautiful voice and sings about pain but it in no way pulls at my soul like Billie.

Deadflow3r said:

NewPowerSista said:

I understand exactly what you mean, Deadflow3r, especially with Billie. I listen to her a lot and always get that feeling.

It is crazy isn't it? To actually start crying out of no where! I am not talking about being sad to start with and then putting on Billie to help release the tears, NO. I am talking about not being upset, or at least not knowing that I was upset, listening to her and then to begin to just cry. That is an amazing power. She died 2 years before I was even born so her voice is reaching me through time. I was given absolutely no musical education to speak of so I am grasping at straws here, but is it the "phrasing"? Leona Lewis has a beautiful voice and sings about pain but it in no way pulls at my soul like Billie.

You know what? I don't even TRY to figure out why I like something and don't like something else. I just take it as it is and go from there. That's especially applicable to music. My tastes run the spectrum and sometimes it makes no sense at all. With Billie, it's probably lots of things, her phrasing may be one; maybe it's just the sadness in her voice. Since you mentioned Phyllis Hyman, too, it could even have to do with knowing some of their history. Whatever it is, just roll with it. Ya know?

NewPowerSista said:

Deadflow3r said:

It is crazy isn't it? To actually start crying out of no where! I am not talking about being sad to start with and then putting on Billie to help release the tears, NO. I am talking about not being upset, or at least not knowing that I was upset, listening to her and then to begin to just cry. That is an amazing power. She died 2 years before I was even born so her voice is reaching me through time. I was given absolutely no musical education to speak of so I am grasping at straws here, but is it the "phrasing"? Leona Lewis has a beautiful voice and sings about pain but it in no way pulls at my soul like Billie.

You know what? I don't even TRY to figure out why I like something and don't like something else. I just take it as it is and go from there. That's especially applicable to music. My tastes run the spectrum and sometimes it makes no sense at all. With Billie, it's probably lots of things, her phrasing may be one; maybe it's just the sadness in her voice. Since you mentioned Phyllis Hyman, too, it could even have to do with knowing some of their history. Whatever it is, just roll with it. Ya know?

Her rendition of Autumn In New York came through the shuffle couple of weeks ago while I was driving from work. In an instant, the tears ran perfusely and it was hard to focus on the road, even though it was a good day, there're so many emotion that rushed into my chest when that song came, it was hard to bottle them up.

This might sound cheesy and clicheic, but what Lady Day, Phyllis and Donny Hathaway possesse goes beyond just having a talent, I think its spiritual. And I'm with you, I try not to analyze the effect they leave on me.

Harlepolis said:

NewPowerSista said:

You know what? I don't even TRY to figure out why I like something and don't like something else. I just take it as it is and go from there. That's especially applicable to music. My tastes run the spectrum and sometimes it makes no sense at all. With Billie, it's probably lots of things, her phrasing may be one; maybe it's just the sadness in her voice. Since you mentioned Phyllis Hyman, too, it could even have to do with knowing some of their history. Whatever it is, just roll with it. Ya know?

Her rendition of Autumn In New York came through the shuffle couple of weeks ago while I was driving from work. In an instant, the tears ran perfusely and it was hard to focus on the road, even though it was a good day, there're so many emotion that rushed into my chest when that song came, it was hard to bottle them up.

This might sound cheesy and clicheic, but what Lady Day, Phyllis and Donny Hathaway possesse goes beyond just having a talent, I think its spiritual. And I'm with you, I try not to analyze the effect they leave on me.

You are both probably right. The truth is it was likely not a technique they learned or something that could be taught. It amazes me when someone brings something beyond description to any art form. (I don't know if any of you ever watch runway shows. Well if not, there was this model Pat Cleveland in the 80's who took her walks to the level of performance art within the context of the show. I was obsessed with watching "Style with Elsa Klench" just to watch her. She brought this sense of mirth to every show. )

It is not cheesy to speak of "spiritual" when speaking of them because, like you said, you could feel it in your chest. It becomes a physical experience well beyond auditory enjoyment.