The death of Kay Starr on Thursday (November 3) left a lump in my throat. Starr's distinctive vocal style made her one of my early heartthrobs. Kay was a pop singer and I had yet to get into jazz, unaware that she'd been into jazz for a long time. Soon I was forgetting her pop hits and discovering the jazz roots. The sides she made as a teenager with Glenn Miller. The emotive Sharecroppin' Blues with Charlie Barnet and the live performance of Good For Nothin' Joe with Barney Kessel.
These were as good as anything doing the rounds at the time. Then there were the sides with Joe Venuti, with Vic Dickenson, Barney Bigard etc. - Mama Goes Where Papa Goes and You've Got To See Your Mama Every Night or You Don't See Your Mama at All - pop singer? blues singer? jazz singer? The lady ticked all three boxes! She also dubbed Adele Jurgens' singing voice in the 1947 Columbia movie Down to Earth. And, as the picture shows, made the cover of Jazz Journal in 1953.
Kay Starr was 94 - sadly missed.Lance.
Obituary
I always liked " Bonaparte's Retreat"
ReplyDeleteSad news about Kay Starr who I also thought was a fine singer.
ReplyDeleteI played the EP of the Gene Norman session many years ago to Barney. The EP cover had a photo of Barney and he was also credited as part of the backing group. I thought it did not sound like his usual style and he confirmed it was definitely not him. Including the track ‘Good for Nothing Joe’ .A mistake at Capitol records production. He thought it sounded like Al Hendrickson who also worked for Capitol. Barney thought he may have been booked for the session – and so the confusion - but could not make it at the last minute. Barney of course backed Kay on several occasions. Thought you may be interested.