This space has previously praised Keely Smith, a torch and standards singer who gained fame with husband Louis Prima before forging a respectable solo career. Smith passed away Saturday at 89, from what her publicist said was mostly likely heart failure.
She cemented her role early on as the "straight" one of the duet with Prima, well known for his antics while singing. She didn't hit the heights of some other female standards singers, but carved out a respectable niche for herself with more than a few memorable numbers. Among them were her duets with Frank Sinatra, most especially "How Are Ya Fixed for Love," where she showed she could match the Chairman swagger for swinging swagger. Smith recorded an album of Sinatra hits in 2001, which earned her a Grammy nomination.
Smith took some artistic risks, recording an album of Beatles songs in 1964 that landed a number fourteen hit on the UK charts. But she mostly stuck with the standards, taking time off from most performing after 1965 in order to raise her two daughters. A 1962 concert recorded at the Hollywood Bowl gives an impression of what kind of act Smith might have developed on her own, but what she apparently considered the more important task took priority.
No comments:
Post a Comment