Blossom Dearie's thread

[Bright Moments]

I never felt strongly one way or another about Blossom Dearie - Then i heard this one from 1966:

INCREDIBLE!!!! This is a MUST HAVE album for any fan of small setting jazz vocalist with Trio! The rapport Blossom has with the audience is fabulous (and funny) and her song selection is terrific. Her band knows her ins and outs, ups and downs, and flows effortlessly throughout.

I am putting this one on my desert island list!!!

I would love to find more "live" Blossom Dearie in the club setting!

[AllenLowe]

"crazy as a loon....."

[jazzbo]

I actually have that Ronnie Scott cd around here and don't remember what it sounds like, I need to remedy that.

I like Blossom a lot. I have probably most of what's out on cd, and forget to listen to her more often. There's so much stuff. . . something always gets neglected. Nice that she has a "corner."

[JSngry]

I like her root beer commercial.

[GA Russell]

I loved Blossom when I first heard her (It was either I'm Following You or Peel me a Grape), but now I'm pretty tired of her. I guess that happens when you hear a singer often enough.

By the way, I'm the only person I know who has her Christmas album. Lon, do you have it too? It's doesn't have a lot of Christmas spirit, with a lot of lusting for presents (!), but it's good music and I enjoy it.

[Ted O'Reilly]

Is the source of the Ronnie Scott's album a radio recording, by any chance? I remember from 'way back an hour-long BBC transcription recording of Blossom that was terrific...really showed her personality and comfort on stage. I'd love to hear it again.

[Dave James]

I absolutely love this gal. Solo or with Les Bleu Stars, I don't care. She has a sort of Mildred Bailey-like little girl voice, but it's pitched at a much more aurally tolerable level, at least for me, than was MIldred's. Here's a clip from an old Jack Paar Tonight Show that shows her in top form. Subtle swing at its very best.

Edited April 8, 2011 by Dave James

[JSngry]

I like her root beer commercial.

http://zorchv38.blogspot.com/2009/03/some-scarce-seven-inchers-reposted-24.html

[jazzbo]

I loved Blossom when I first heard her (It was either I'm Following You or Peel me a Grape), but now I'm pretty tired of her. I guess that happens when you hear a singer often enough.

By the way, I'm the only person I know who has her Christmas album. Lon, do you have it too? It's doesn't have a lot of Christmas spirit, with a lot of lusting for presents (!), but it's good music and I enjoy it.

Must confess I haven't seen her Christmas album and don't have it. I generally don't listen to Christmas music. The secular stuff always seemed square and corny to me at younger ages and I developed a habit of totally ignoring its existence, and as a PK I was so enveloped by the religious music that I just don't want to hear it any longer. I do like June Christy's album though, and ironically Bob Dylan's. I'll look for Dearie's when it's the season again.

Edited April 8, 2011 by jazzbo

[JSngry]

But it's always the season for root beer!

[brownie]

I'm like Bright Moments. Enjoyed Blossom's Verve discs but just ignored her other recordings.

I am a big fan now and rate that 'Live at Ronnie Scott' very high.

Another discovery was her 'Winchester in Apple Blossom Time' album.

Plenty more to explore including that Christmas one I have yet to hear!

[sidewinder]

I have this fine album by her on Fontana vinyl recorded around the time of the Ronnie Scotts album. Stellar orchestra including Harold McNair and Ian Carr.

I passed up that Ronnie Scotts album for £10 on one occasion - what an idiot !

Edited April 10, 2011 by sidewinder

[seeline]

I absolutely love this gal. Solo or with Les Bleu Stars, I don't care. She has a sort of Mildred Bailey-like little girl voice, but it's pitched at a much more aurally tolerable level, at least for me, than was MIldred's. Here's a clip from an old Jack Paar Tonight Show that shows her in top form. Subtle swing at its very best.

Her phrasing - nice.

[Bright Moments]

I absolutely love this gal. Solo or with Les Bleu Stars, I don't care. She has a sort of Mildred Bailey-like little girl voice, but it's pitched at a much more aurally tolerable level, at least for me, than was MIldred's. Here's a clip from an old Jack Paar Tonight Show that shows her in top form. Subtle swing at its very best.

Her phrasing - nice.

Edited April 10, 2011 by Bright Moments

[mjzee]

I have this:

which is an excellent overview of her Verve work. Not sure I need more than this. I smile whenever I hear "Rhode Island Is Famous For You."

[Bright Moments]

from wikipedia:

Dearie appeared on television throughout her career, most notably giving her voice to the children's educational series Schoolhouse Rock!. Some of her pieces in this series were written by her good friend Bob Dorough, the jazz singer and composer. Her voice can be heard on "Mother Necessity",[4] "Figure Eight"[5] and "Unpack Your Adjectives".[6]

[seeline]

Regarding the Jack Paar clip: I've never heard anyone else take a slightly down-tempo approach to that song (Surrey with the Fringe on Top). In this, I think she anticipated Shirley Horn's ultra-slowed-down delivery.

That performance just plain works, on all levels.

Edited April 10, 2011 by seeline