Pen's Nest

A few songs on the subject of Blue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqwSde_eEv4 The incomparable Ella Fitzgerald singing Blue Moon. The song is Rodgers and Hart, a combination I generally prefer to Rodgers and Hammerstein because Hart's lyrics are more… more pointy. I bought several 'songbooks' by Ella and have spent many, many happy hours singing along. What a Voice. A voice that makes a reasonable argument for the existence of God.

By contrast, Louis Armstrong isn't exactly a singer. But he too has a Voice, and can put a song across as well as many a vocalist with a purer sound. Having a Voice is better than being a singer, in terms of being listenable. He's also a pretty damn good trumpet player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8GjJD826vc Basin Street Blues.

This one's definitely in the Ella category, being a Singer with a Voice. I missed Cleo Laine's heyday, but I have seen her live on stage, in a brief performance during a Sondheim retrospective at The Stables. She has astounding stage presence. Here, singing Primrose Colour Blue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDQ9jT9Q_sU

Songs that have a more personal relevance, on some level:

I remember this one from the Eurovision Song Contest, which is frankly a bit weird as it was such a long time ago! But it is an enduring and lovely song: L'amour est bleu, sung by Vicky Leandros. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD4ib9-laGY My, how Eurovision has changed.

This one reminds me of my teenage years. I like it more now, I think, than I did then: Venus, by Shocking Blue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LhkyyCvUHk

Blue Mountain by Quantum Jump is from my university years. My college boyfriend owned this album (Barracuda, and I particularly liked the song with two men and a snake, so he gave me a copy for my birthday. It's an excellent album and worth a listen if you have the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQn1mFq_OQk

An up to date reference now: Blue Skies is a song my chorus sings. Not, though, as well as this lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBzVxsQtzxk Ringmasters, sometime quartet champions, although they are babies here. Babies!

And finally, just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1Ond-OwgU8

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( Corona Virus Blues )