Diana Krall - But Not For Me

This is a live performance by contemporary jazz artist Diana Krall playing her take on the classic jazz song "But Not For Me". She starts of by playing a bit in the original tempo and feel and then moves on to playing the whole song in a much more melancholic and slow tone and feel. The performance is from the TV-show "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...".
The song was originally composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was originally made for the musical "Girl Crazy" (1930) and Judy Garland sang it in the 1943 film version of the aforementioned stage musical.
It has been recorded by a huge amount of artist, including: Carol Burnett, Miles Davis, Doris Day, John Coltrane, Elvis Costello, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and Chet Baker.
I am personally very found of the version Chet Baker does of this song. (embeded below).

There's no video footage, but pictures and pretty good audio quality. I love how he doesn't have the biggest voice ever, but makes so good use of what he has and just sings it with so much feeling. Then on top of that we get his trumpet playing which is just phenomenal. I recommend both versions of this song, cause they're both great in their own right.

Enjoy ; )

Diana Krall, Elvis Costello & Elton John – Makin’ Whoopee

This is the final performance from the TV-show “Spectacle with Elvis Costello”. On this episode jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall is the guest and as she is also the wife of Costello he chose not to do the interview. Instead Elton John did the interview, he also executive produces the TV-show.
At the final performance they all three sung the song together.
The song is an old jazz/blues tune that was first popularized by Eddie Cantor in the 1928 musical “Whoopee!”. The song acted as a cautionary tale for men. It starts with a wedding, then talks about the honeymoon and marital bliss, but moves on to babies and responsibilities which leads to affairs and ends up in divorce.
It’s been done by a lot of artists, including: Elton John and Rod Stewart in a duet, Dr. John and Rickie Lee Jones in a duet and even parodied on Sesame Street by the Cookie Monster.
It’s a great little show tune and I love what the three of them do with it. They really maintain the original campy feel and make it seem so cozy on stage. A job well done indeed with this one.

Enjoy ;-)

Nina Simone – Ain’t Got No, I Got Life

This is a live performance by American soul, jazz and blues singer Nina Simone performing her classic song “Ain’t Got No, I Got Life”.
The song is actually a musical medley of two songs combined in to this tune. It’s two songs from the musical “Hair”.
Simone’s version of this song helped her gain a younger audience and it became a reoccurring song in her repertoire.
The song was featured on Simone’s 1968 album “’Nuff Said!”. The album was nominated for an Emmy and it spawned this song that became a huge hit for Simone in Europe.
A great song and a great performance that ought to lift your spirit.

Enjoy ;-)