Thank goodness for recordings and videos. Listening to them we can make our own decisions about the quality and appeal of those now passed. For me, Connee Boswell and her sisters were among the finest performers of the 20th century. I recently saw a cabaret performace in Berlin that featured a number of the Boswell Sisters songs and a few of Connee's. Each was a show stopper. Considering that these songs were all over 70 years old it was mighty impressive.
One of a kind. An amazing career start to finish. She didn't let a tremendous personal disaster stop her, never lost her lustre. All jazz people I know deeply respect her talent and memory.
Leith Stevens is credited with the song. Syncopation, the film from which this scene comes, was his first movie score. He later worked portions of the music into the score for "American Rhapsody" which has been performed by many symphonies. The other piece current audiences may recognize from his prodigious accomplishments in film and television scoring is the theme from "Lost in Space."
Thank you much; that is a powerful thing to know about an artist. Maybe that's one of the reasons she conveys as much feeling as she does in her songs - in addition to her phenomenal talent of course... (Also appreciate the referral)
When Connee was 3 she became paralyzed, either from polio or an accident (she says polio but her mother said accident). Pretty amazing that she could have been in movies, Broadway and TV without being able to walk. With a voice like that, though, she doesn't need legs to dance. You can find out more about Connee and her Sisters at the Boswell Sisters website bozzies(dot)com
Although I know she recorded the song for the movie Moulin Rouge, it did not make it to the final cut. I have wished that it might still be on a negative somewhere, but I have never seen a reference that encouraged me to believe it had survived.
no, it just appears that way in grayscale. she's wearing a shawl type thing on her shoulders, and is wearing a slip-like dress underneath. pretty nice dress, too!
Can anyone tell me what the personal tragedy was? Does it have to do with an injury? (I read that she was usually seen sitting in films because of a disability.) I love her unpretentious, heartfelt way of singing. Thank you for your comments.
One of the greatest singers of the twentieth century, simple as that. What a shame that, for some unknown reason, she doesn't seem to have been afforded the same respect and admiration as Mildred Bailey for being a pioneer of jazz singing. To my ears, she's far jazzier, more swinging, more inventive, more influential-- and simply a more appealing singer-- than Bailey.
There was no one like Connie Boswell. She was a goddess of music! Such a talent.
Thank goodness for recordings and videos. Listening to them we can make our own decisions about the quality and appeal of those now passed. For me, Connee Boswell and her sisters were among the finest performers of the 20th century.
I recently saw a cabaret performace in Berlin that featured a number of the Boswell Sisters songs and a few of Connee's. Each was a show stopper. Considering that these songs were all over 70 years old it was mighty impressive.
Connie Boswell was just lovely and such a great singer!!
another beautiful song by the one and only connie boswell another favorite of mine i could listen to all day keith lewis clapham
One of a kind. An amazing career start to finish. She didn't let a tremendous personal disaster stop her, never lost her lustre. All jazz people I know deeply respect her talent and memory.
Many thanks, hoopjnky. I share your admiration for the Boswells.
Leith Stevens is credited with the song. Syncopation, the film from which this scene comes, was his first movie score. He later worked portions of the music into the score for "American Rhapsody" which has been performed by many symphonies. The other piece current audiences may recognize from his prodigious accomplishments in film and television scoring is the theme from "Lost in Space."
Thank you much; that is a powerful thing to know about an artist. Maybe that's one of the reasons she conveys as much feeling as she does in her songs - in addition to her phenomenal talent of course...
(Also appreciate the referral)
The song is actually titled "Under A Falling Star", from the 1942 film "Syncopation".
Perfection! Brava! TY.
A star -that never fell!
@beforeourveryeyes I have to presume you are thanking the heavens and not me. I am just the bringer of Boswell joy.
thank You!
When Connee was 3 she became paralyzed, either from polio or an accident (she says polio but her mother said accident). Pretty amazing that she could have been in movies, Broadway and TV without being able to walk. With a voice like that, though, she doesn't need legs to dance. You can find out more about Connee and her Sisters at the Boswell Sisters website bozzies(dot)com
Admiration? Darlin', I've been Bozzed!
Although I know she recorded the song for the movie Moulin Rouge, it did not make it to the final cut. I have wished that it might still be on a negative somewhere, but I have never seen a reference that encouraged me to believe it had survived.
hoopjnky-Connee was the arguably-the best female pop singer of all time
I see why ella wanted to sing like her.
no, it just appears that way in grayscale. she's wearing a shawl type thing on her shoulders, and is wearing a slip-like dress underneath. pretty nice dress, too!
Fraid not. That is Bonita Granville, starlet and later part of the family who ran the Lassie and Lone Ranger franchises.
Can anyone tell me what the personal tragedy was? Does it have to do with an injury? (I read that she was usually seen sitting in films because of a disability.) I love her unpretentious, heartfelt way of singing. Thank you for your comments.
She had polio during early childhood.
Does anyone know who wrote the "Falling Star" words or music. Thanks
Was that Helvetia on the keys?
Who is ACTUALLY playing the piano? I don't think it's the woman you see on screen. Sounds like Teddy Wilson.
One of the greatest singers of the twentieth century, simple as that. What a shame that, for some unknown reason, she doesn't seem to have been afforded the same respect and admiration as Mildred Bailey for being a pioneer of jazz singing. To my ears, she's far jazzier, more swinging, more inventive, more influential-- and simply a more appealing singer-- than Bailey.
Some movie director made her ditch her Nu Awlins accent here. Too bad.