Just love this track from one of my favourite discs. John Coltrane could do 'pretty' when required and Johnny Hartman has the resonance of Billy Eckstine and the satin sound of Nat Cole - he should have been right up there with them.
If you can't get the girl/boy with this - go take a bath.
This song is a sublime example of the lyric writers craft. Actually craft is the wrong word - it's an art form. It's special.
ReplyDeleteRoly
Amazingly, as the song is a staple part of the gasbook, composer, Guy Wood, and lyricist, Robert Mellin, were born in Manchester and Surrey respectively. Of course, by 1952 when the song was written, they were naturalised Americans.
ReplyDeleteWell we gave them the great Ray Noble too but I believe he just worked over there then came back.
ReplyDeleteMy mum loves all the Noble/Al Bowly stuff and having heard a lot of it at her house, so do I.
I much prefer Bowly to his contemporary Mr Crosby.
Roly
PS Is it Bowly or Bowlly?
Bowlly - 2 'ells'. He always reminded me - and I mean this in the nicest possible way - of Bud Flanagan. Similar vocal texture.
ReplyDeleteHow on earth did we manage to go from John Coltrane to Bud Flanagan?!
Was it not Bud's nephew Tommy who played with Trane on the original recording of Giant Steps?
ReplyDeleteRoly (only kidding)
Nice one!
ReplyDeleteWell I am just so full up after listening to that great fave of mine...the romance is so full on you can taste it...oh & that middle eight...
ReplyDeleteIt just makes your toes curl..;o)
ReplyDeleteI also love Johnny's version of 'Lush Life'