Keely Smith was an American singer known for her unique blend of jazz and pop music. One of her most famous songs is "That Old Black Magic." This song was originally written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film "Star Spangled Rhythm." However, it was Keely Smith's rendition that truly made the song a classic. Smith's version of "That Old Black Magic" was released in 1958 as part of her album "I Wish You Love." The song became a huge hit and solidified Smith's place in the music industry.
Mr. CLAVIN: They met initially in 1947. Louis was playing at a place called the Steel Pier in Atlantic City with a band he had at the time. And Keely, who was still only a teenager at the time, and her family were visiting from where she grew up in Virginia. And they watched them perform. She was fascinated by him, just thought he was the most amazing performer she had ever seen. So, when they got back home to the Virginia Beach area, she suggested to a guy who owned a club there if you could ever book Louis Prima, please, please, please, the people down here would love him.
Running concurrent with their personal tale is their role in transforming Las Vegas from a small resort town in the desert to a booming city where the biggest stars were paid tons of money to become even bigger stars on stage and television. Some people may recall - if they watch the Ken Burns jazz documentary series on public television - that there s, you know, an excerpt there, a wonderful excerpt from Benny Goodman and his band at Carnegie Hall in January 1938.
" The song became a huge hit and solidified Smith's place in the music industry. Her sultry voice and impeccable phrasing added a new dimension to the song, making it even more enchanting. "That Old Black Magic" is a love song that describes the intense and magical feeling one experiences when falling in love.
LOUIS PRIMA & KEELY SMITH - That Old Black Magic - CD
Bandleader/singer/trumpeter Louis Prima, who'd enjoyed huge successes in the 1930s and '40s, mounted a major comeback in the 1950s alongside his new wife Keely Smith, and their band, Sam Butera & The Witnesses. This compilation, which is one of a closely-linked trilogy, presents the Very Best of Louis Prima and Keely Smith's duets for RCA Victor, Mercury, Robin Hood, Columbia, Decca and Capitol, between 1949-59. It features pre-Capitol collectors' items like 'Heap Big Smoke (But No Fire)' (their first record together), 'I Beeped When I Shoulda Bopped', 'Enjoy Yourself', 'Here Pretty Kitty', 'Oh Babe!', 'Teardrops From My Eyes', 'Ooh-Dahdily-Dah', etc. Their Capitol sides include the million selling 'That Old Black Magic', 'I've Got You Under My Skin', and tracks from the hit albums "The Wildest", "The Wildest Show At Tahoe", "Las Vegas Prima Style" and "Hey Boy! Hey Girl!".
| Product Code | JASCD1052 |
|---|---|
| Format | CD |
- Heap Big Smoke (But No Fire)
- Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue
- Charley My Boy
- I Beepeed When I Shoulda Bopped
- I Ain't Gonna Take It Settin' Down
- Enjoy Yourself
- Here Pretty Kitty
- Ai Ai Ai
- Oh Babe!
- Teardrops From My Eyes
- Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
- Zooma Zooma Baccala
- Ooh-Dahdily-Dah
- Basta
- Barnacle Bill The Sailor
- Shepherd Boy
- Chop Suey Chow Mein
- Until Sunrise
- (Nothings Too Good) For My Baby
- The Lip
- Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
- Sentimental Journey
- Don't Worry 'Bout Me / I'm In The Mood For Love
- Embraceable You / I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
- That Old Black Magic
- I've Got You Under My Skin
- Hey, Boy! Hey, Girl!
- (Nothings Too Good) For My Baby - Alternate Version
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The lyrics evoke a sense of mystery and fascination, comparing the allure of love to a spell or enchantment. Smith's expressive vocals perfectly capture the depth of emotion conveyed in the lyrics. The song starts with a captivating melody played by the brass section, creating a smooth and jazzy atmosphere. Smith's voice then enters, weaving effortlessly through the melody with her distinct style. Her impeccable timing and control add to the allure of the song, captivating the listener from start to finish. Keely Smith's rendition of "That Old Black Magic" remains a timeless classic. Her talent and unique interpretation of the song have left a lasting impact on the music industry. Even after many decades, the song continues to enchant listeners and showcase Smith's incredible vocal abilities. In conclusion, Keely Smith's version of "That Old Black Magic" is a true masterpiece. It showcases her exceptional talent as a singer and her ability to bring a song to life. This iconic rendition has cemented Smith's place as one of the greatest jazz and pop singers of all time..
Reviews for "Keely Smith's Rise to Stardom: A Journey Fueled by Talent, Determination, and Resilience"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Keely Smith That Old Black Magic." I was hoping for a fresh take on these classic songs, but instead, it felt like a lackluster attempt at imitation. Keely Smith's vocals seemed strained and forced, lacking the enchanting allure that the original versions possessed. The arrangements were also uninspired, with a generic big band sound that failed to bring anything new or exciting to the songs. Overall, I found the album to be bland and forgettable.
2. Lisa - 2/5 stars - I have to say, I was not impressed with "Keely Smith That Old Black Magic." I've always loved the original versions of these songs, but Smith's interpretations fell flat for me. Her vocals lacked the charm and charisma of the original recordings, and it felt like she was just going through the motions. The instrumentation was decent, but it couldn't make up for the lack of energy in Smith's performance. Overall, I found the album to be a disappointment and I would not recommend it to others.
3. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Keely Smith That Old Black Magic" was a complete letdown for me. Smith's voice sounded strained and off-key throughout the entire album, making it hard to enjoy the songs. The arrangements were also lackluster, with no innovation or excitement. It felt like a cheap imitation of the original recordings, and I was left feeling unsatisfied. I would advise fans of the original versions to steer clear of this album.