My friend Bill Kirchner, a jazz musician, historian, producer, and educator who subscribes to these essays, reminded me that Beatrice “Bee” (sic) Palmer had recorded a vocalese version of “Singin’ the Blues” with Frank Trumbauer in 1929.
In his memoir about his childhood time with Bix, Ralph Berton described Ms. Palmer as a pretty hot number, and wrote about intimate relationships with Bix and others.
Interesting. I'll have to re-read that book—i haven't looked at it in many years. Yes, in fact she was involved in a number of "scandals" and affairs that got her regularly into the newspapers. Check out the links I provided at the beginning and end of my supplemental post. THANK YOU JIM!
Fascinating. But if anything, you were too kind about Bee Palmer's singing. It is terrible. Maybe that worked in a vaudeville theater without a microphone, but on a recording it is really off-putting. Marion Harris is much easier for modern ears to listen to. Another great post.
Ha ha--thanks--I do try to be tactful. And your point is well taken--as part of a show, her singing might be OK (they did have mikes from about 1925 onward, I believe), but on a recording it has to stand on its own--THANK YOU FRED
It's not easy, believe me! THANK YOU JAY!
In his memoir about his childhood time with Bix, Ralph Berton described Ms. Palmer as a pretty hot number, and wrote about intimate relationships with Bix and others.
Interesting. I'll have to re-read that book—i haven't looked at it in many years. Yes, in fact she was involved in a number of "scandals" and affairs that got her regularly into the newspapers. Check out the links I provided at the beginning and end of my supplemental post. THANK YOU JIM!
Fascinating. But if anything, you were too kind about Bee Palmer's singing. It is terrible. Maybe that worked in a vaudeville theater without a microphone, but on a recording it is really off-putting. Marion Harris is much easier for modern ears to listen to. Another great post.
Ha ha--thanks--I do try to be tactful. And your point is well taken--as part of a show, her singing might be OK (they did have mikes from about 1925 onward, I believe), but on a recording it has to stand on its own--THANK YOU FRED
Yikes! She BEE atrocious!
Ha ha--good one!
Con Conrad won the first Oscar for Best Original Song ("The Continental" from "The Gay Divorcee").
Very cool--thanks for that fact--THANK YOU DAVID