Black Coffee

[fasstrack]

I'm looking to investigate/learn the tune Black Coffee. I usually go with vocal renditions true to the melody.

I've heard Sarah Vaughan's rendition. Could anyone recommend other good vocal versions of this tune?

Thanks in advance...

[jazzbo]

You definitely should experience Peggy Lee's.

[fasstrack]

15 minutes ago, jazzbo said:

You definitely should experience Peggy Lee's.

Yes, I should...

[JSngry]

Rosemary Clooney & Chris Connor (with Maynard).

 

 

 

 

[bluenoter]

1 hour ago, jazzbo said:

You definitely should experience Peggy Lee's.

1 hour ago, fasstrack said:

Yes, I should...

 

 

Edited February 9, 2016 by bluenoter

[lipi]

In addition to those already mentioned, I suggest Carmen McRae's 1990 recording on "Sarah: Dedicated to You". I like Bobby Darrin's late fifties recording, too, but it's more lounge-y, of course.

[JSngry]

Here's the Tina Fey version, not much on singing but should you need ideas for staging, hey.

 

 

[Chuck Nessa]

Either Peggy Lee or Sonny Criss.

 

[MomsMobley]

nat gonella

 

marjorie stedeford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 10, 2016 by MomsMobley

[JSngry]

Well as long as you're playing it like that... I think this one has infinitely better, or at least significantly less weepyvictimy, lyrics. Stainy!

Black Coughing:

Black Coffin:

WeepyVictimy (or Stainy) done so much better than Peggy Lee, or anybody.

 

Coffee/cigarettes, kinda too Stan Kentony Capitol Neurotiphonic Publicity Photos for me, let's cut to the chase take it straight to the graveyard!

[Larry Kart]

4 hours ago, MomsMobley said:

nat gonella

 

marjorie stedeford

 

 

 

Thanks for those.

 

 

 

 

 

9 hours ago, JSngry said:

Rosemary Clooney & Chris Connor (with Maynard).

 

 

 

 

The vulnerability of Rosie's version is something else. And what a voice! Nice somewhat Ellingtonian chart, too. Who was Bob Thompson?

21 minutes ago, Larry Kart said:

 

[paul secor]

6 hours ago, Larry Kart said:

 

The vulnerability of Rosie's version is something else. And what a voice! Nice somewhat Ellingtonian chart, too. Who was Bob Thompson?

Looks like this is he: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Thompson_(musician)

[fasstrack]

Thanks, everyone! For the funny stuff, too...

[JSngry]

Seriously, other than Clooney and Vaughn (I like Connor's version, but more for the arrangement than the vocal), make mine Sonny Criss, the version on This Is Criss.

[JSngry]

12 hours ago, paul secor said:

Looks like this is he: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Thompson_(musician)

That last parenthesis didn't link...does this get it?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Thompson_%28musician%29

[Larry Kart]

http://www.bobthompsonmusic.com

Fascinating stuff -- worth scrolling through the whole thing. A life in the 20th Century for real. I guessed right on the Ellington influence.

[Bill Nelson]

Then there's k.d. lang singing in '93 with Branford M. and Tain Watts: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fasstrack]

The vulnerability of Rosie's version is something else. And what a voice! Nice somewhat Ellingtonian chart, too.

Really. (On the vulnerability)

...And Peggy Lee gets the prize. A perfect mini-drama in 3 minutes and 3 seconds.

[page]

Julie London's has a beautiful arrangement. I have sung it with a big band and I've used Peggy's rendition with a combo as well as with a sole pianist. Both renditions are really nice and it is still one of my favourite songs.

 

Edited February 11, 2016 by page

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Apart from Sonny Criss' version, Ray Charles has something rather different to offer. But not his voice, which is not featured. But Fathead's tenor IS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_wWWy7R1Xw

I've got to admit, though, that it's something of a disappointment when they start to double time, a minute before the end, but it's only for half a minute or so.

MG

[fasstrack]

Peggy still wins, IMO. 3:03 of fat-free mini-drama. Rosie is runner-up.

Of course, they are all worthy...

On ‎2‎/‎11‎/‎2016 at 4:36 PM, page said:

Julie London's has a beautiful arrangement. I have sung it with a big band and I've used Peggy's rendition with a combo as well as with a sole pianist. Both renditions are really nice and it is still one of my favourite songs.

 

Yes, good chart. Who did it?

On ‎2‎/‎9‎/‎2016 at 3:38 PM, bluenoter said:

 

 

great trombone on Peggy's. Who is it? I like the way he goes out of the chord at the end, and imitates the piano before.

[Larry Kart]

3 hours ago, fasstrack said:

Peggy still wins, IMO. 3:03 of fat-free mini-drama. Rosie is runner-up.

Of course, they are all worthy...

Yes, good chart. Who did it?

great trombone on Peggy's. Who is it? I like the way he goes out of the chord at the end, and imitates the piano before.

There is no trombone on Lee's "Black Coffee." The only horn is trumpeter Pete Candoli, originally billed for contractual reasons as "Cootie Chesterfield."
 

[page]

7 hours ago, fasstrack said:

Yes, good chart. Who did it?

Dick Reynolds, I think. Although I'm not completely sure but it was his orchestra. It's not noted on the arrangement which is still in my possesion. The arrangement was transcribed by Jon Harpin.
Cootie Chesterfield is registered as trumpet player for Peggy's rendition. I didn't know his real name was Pete Candoli. Thanks, Larry, those are nice facts to learn.

[mikeweil]

The first version I heard of Black Coffee was on the second Pointer Sisters LP, That's a Plenty - can't say which sister sang it, but I was impressed and still think it's a great rendition of the song, full of drama. Still the first that comes to my mind when I think of this song.

[page]

The Pointer Sisters? Wow, I'd love to hear that rendition! I'm curious.