"My Funny Valentine" - Best Rendition?
"My Funny Valentine" - Best Rendition?
#0"My Funny Valentine" - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:22pm
In your opinion, who does the best rendition of "My Funny Valentine"?
I heard a LOVELY recording of it during a Lucille Ball documentary on PBS yesterday. SUCH an appropriate song for her life!! I'd love to have a copy of that recording of the song!
Anyway - which is your favorite?
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
MrMidwest
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/05
#1re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:38pmI enjoy Julie London's version.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
touchmeinthemorning
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/3/04
#2re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:39pm
Rachelle Ferrell has a version of this song that is...jaw-dropping. It is on both her CD First Instrument and a live version is on her live album.
I also saw Shoshana Bean do a joke version of it (complete with crazy riffs and her trademark high notes) at her cabaret show a few years ago -- buh-rilliant.
"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'"
-- unknown
popcultureboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
#3re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:45pmMatt Damon.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#4re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:46pm
i'm partial to ann hampton callaway's version.
Mind is Mantra.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#5re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:49pmLinda Ronstadt with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra (and his arrangement.)
pattifan2
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/12/04
#6re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:50pmPCB - I, too love Matt Damon's rendition.
...fragment of the day...
#7re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:52pm
I generally say Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan, but for this particular song, I would have to say Chet Baker.
#8re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 2:58pmPal Joey beat me to it -- Chet Baker without a doubt (the basis for the Damon cover from Ripley)
"Sir K, the Viscount of Uppity-shire...." -- kissmycookie
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#9re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 3:14pmBillie Holiday
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
kissmycookie
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/21/04
#11re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 3:16pmPut in my vote for Chet Baker too, please.
#12re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 3:19pm
Hmmm...I'm thinking an iPod playlist might be in order.
Could be just the thing to solve MJR's problem on the Kissing thread...
SorryGrateful
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
#13re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 3:20pmOh, Joey, that picture. He was so beautiful.
You promised me poems. ~Tricky
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
SorryGrateful
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
#15re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 3:25pmI have that album. Sigh. I still stick by Carmen, but oh, Chet.
You promised me poems. ~Tricky
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#16re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 4:10pm
Male: Chet Baker
Female: Sarah Vaughn
Someone should make a movie bio of Chet Baker.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#17re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 4:38pmI'll put another vote in for Carmen McRae...Matt Damon? Really?
junglered
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#18re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 4:56pm
I like Michael Buble's take on "My Funny Valentine".
(Yes, Matt Damon's version in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" isn't bad).
touchmeinthemorning
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/3/04
#19re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 4:58pm
Wow. I had forgotten how beautiful Chet Baker was.
Also, I think I may be one of the only people in the world who think Billie Holliday is significantly overrated. What did she do that was so different from 100 other people of her era? People talk about her emotion in a song, but (for me) Ella and Chet and Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughn emoted and still managed to get the song out beautifully. My problem with Billie is that she never could move from personal to universal with her singing...she only felt her pain (which always left me feeling sorry for her, but not moved myself). That, and I find her tone thin and her vibrato fast. =)
"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'"
-- unknown
Updated On: 9/22/05 at 04:58 PM
SorryGrateful
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
#20re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 5:15pmBlasphemy! But I will respect your opinion and agree to disagree. No, I don't think she was a "good" singer, but I do get appealed to by the emotion in her voice as she sings, whether she's being playful or mournful, whereas you do not. I guess it's just a matter of taste, as with everything else. As for me, she always makes me feel at home.
You promised me poems. ~Tricky
#21re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 5:20pmChet Baker followed by Lady Day. Oh and touchmeinthemorning, that is indeed blasphemy!
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
touchmeinthemorning
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/3/04
#22re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 5:23pmI know, I know...it's not a popular opinion. I just don't connect to her, I guess.
"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'"
-- unknown
#23re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 5:23pmBarbra Streisand. Amazing rendition, sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it.
"Years from now, when you talk about this - And you will - Be kind. "
#24re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 5:24pmi second (third?) matt damon.
XING
PED
PED
#25re: 'My Funny Valentine' - Best Rendition?
Posted: 9/22/05 at 5:25pm
Touchmeinthemorning ~ not even "God Bless The Child" or "Strange Fruit"?
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
Updated On: 9/22/05 at 05:25 PM
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