one of my favourite singers. carmen was a stylist and a great lyric writer. until later life she seemed to live in the shadow of billie, sarah and ella. then the jazz scene embraced her. she made these 'story songs' her own, as if you were hearing them for the first time. thank you for keeping carmen's flame burning.
I have been in love with this lady ever since I first heard the sound of her voice, which was more than 50 years ago. Like Billie Holiday, she didn't just sing a song she experienced it. On this particular clip she is at her absolute best!
Along with Shirley Horn, my 2 fave jazz singers. Her creative takes on songs r 2nd to none. What she did with Your Getting To Be A Habit with Me, might be the quintessential example of making a great song, better. Here she slows down the poignant lyrics, to make them all the more powerful. Genius.
I agree 100%. I think she is the best jazz interpreter of our era. She is the female equivalent of the greatest pop singer Frank Sinatra. Try to listen to Carmen on ballads--she is simply unbelievable..
Killer version of this tune. Originally written as sort of wry joke, a take off on country murder ballads, a kind of goof by Cole Porter and his society pals, here it is transformed into a touching, bluesy tragic tale, bringing deep feeling to what has become a jazz chestnut. I also love Kirsty Maccoll's loopy waltz version, a completely different take, but also great.
9/21/14 - I discovered Carmen McRae singing in a little club in Newport, RI in 1960. I was an instant fan. She has remained my favorite music maker ever since. She recorded this song in 1976 in a live session in San Francisco. The double LP was called "Carmen McRae live at the Great American Music Hall. I have just discovered this video of her doing it again at the Northsea Jazz Festival in Holland in 1980. And, as so often happens when I listen to Carmen, I was nearly moved to tears. Not only do I consider myself her number one fan, I was lucky enough to become a friend before she died in 1994. After over 50 years, she is still my number one music maker. This clip is quintessential Carmen! She and her magic and all of its glory. Thank you for posting this and sharing it with the world.
Ashton Spann friends of this amazing jazz legend!!! Amazing!!! I adore her. Sorry I was born too late to witness her live. UA-cam is the next best thing. 💜🎶🎹
I couldn't agree with you more about Carmen McRae. I love Ella, love Sarah, love Billie, but Carmen was something else! I fell in love with the sound of her voice the very first time I heard it, way back in the fifties, and my love and admiration for her has stayed with me ever since! She has truly enriched my life!
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today Madam Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today She is sorry to be delayed But last evening down in Lover's Lane she strays Madam Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone Madam She ran to the man who had led her so far astray And from under her velvet gown She drew a gun and shot her love down Madam Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail Madam They strung her upon the old willow across the way And the moment before she died She lifted up her lovely head and cried Madam Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
The way she instantly re-writes lyrics and melody is mind-blowing
she doesn't just sing the song, she tells the story and feels it...wonderful.
I totally agree with you. She is telling the story. That is it. Beautiful singing.
OMG that voice! how was she not more famous? truly a master with her instrument.
one of my favourite singers. carmen was a stylist and a great lyric writer. until later life she seemed to live in the shadow of billie, sarah and ella. then the jazz scene embraced her. she made these 'story songs' her own, as if you were hearing them for the first time. thank you for keeping carmen's flame burning.
I have been in love with this lady ever since I first heard the sound of her voice, which was more than 50 years ago. Like Billie Holiday, she didn't just sing a song she experienced it. On this particular clip she is at her absolute best!
This has made me greedy to see more of this concert. Carmen was bliss and this is a classic performance of this song!
Along with Shirley Horn, my 2 fave jazz singers. Her creative takes on songs r 2nd to none. What she did with Your Getting To Be A Habit with Me, might be the quintessential example of making a great song, better. Here she slows down the poignant lyrics, to make them all the more powerful. Genius.
wow, what a stylist !
fantastic to watch her sing live !!
#jazz
I agree 100%.
I think she is the best jazz interpreter of our era.
She is the female equivalent of the greatest pop singer Frank Sinatra.
Try to listen to Carmen on ballads--she is simply unbelievable..
I wasn't a fan of Ms. Mcrae, but she just turned that around big time! 😍
When I listen to this, it is as if I am there watching what is happening to Miss Otis, and the tears come. There is no one better than Carmen.
Killer version of this tune. Originally written as sort of wry joke, a take off on country murder ballads, a kind of goof by Cole Porter and his society pals, here it is transformed into a touching, bluesy tragic tale, bringing deep feeling to what has become a jazz chestnut. I also love Kirsty Maccoll's loopy waltz version, a completely different take, but also great.
God. I love Carmen McRae! Beautiful.
Pure bliss... Never take this down. Please !
Fabulous lady !!
Una gran cantante como Carmen Mcrae nos deja en este estado de conmocion anímica. Interpretación sobria y profunda.
9/21/14 - I discovered Carmen McRae singing in a little club in Newport, RI in 1960. I was an instant fan. She has remained my favorite music maker ever since. She recorded this song in 1976 in a live session in San Francisco. The double LP was called "Carmen McRae live at the Great American Music Hall.
I have just discovered this video of her doing it again at the Northsea Jazz Festival in Holland in 1980. And, as so often happens when I listen to Carmen, I was nearly moved to tears.
Not only do I consider myself her number one fan, I was lucky enough to become a friend before she died in 1994. After over 50 years, she is still my number one music maker. This clip is quintessential Carmen! She and her magic and all of its glory.
Thank you for posting this and sharing it with the world.
Ashton Spann friends of this amazing jazz legend!!! Amazing!!! I adore her. Sorry I was born too late to witness her live. UA-cam is the next best thing. 💜🎶🎹
I couldn't agree with you more about Carmen McRae. I love Ella, love Sarah, love Billie, but Carmen was something else! I fell in love with the sound of her voice the very first time I heard it, way back in the fifties, and my love and admiration for her has stayed with me ever since! She has truly enriched my life!
She was truly talented.
newstart2009 indeed
Wonderful interpretation by Miss McRae
Perfect match of artist and material. Peerless.
This is going into my favorites.
Makes me want to cry.
so, so beautiful interpretation...
WOW AGAIN WOW.... DID YOU MISS ....WOW!!!!!!!!!
I adore this woman. I...lord today.
Que maravilha!!Viva Carmen McRae!!
tears..... tears ;-((((((((((((( that's great. i love u carmen
Ya que están, escuchen Don´t Explain.
Si John Benn : ella es maravillosa.
Замечательный пианист.
Goosebumps
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
She is sorry to be delayed
But last evening down in Lover's Lane she strays
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone
Madam
She ran to the man who had led her so far astray
And from under her velvet gown
She drew a gun and shot her love down
Madam
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today
When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail
Madam
They strung her upon the old willow across the way
And the moment before she died
She lifted up her lovely head and cried
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
She ruined a perfectly wonderful song. This stinks.
You must be joking!
She actually turned it into a moving testimony.