A perfectly sung song is a thing of perpetual beauty. As I think of my favorite standards, several great ones drift lazily through my mind’s ear. “Stardust.” “Blue Moon.” “What a Wonderful World.” “God Bless the Child.” “Moon River.” Yet, one of my favorites is the unapologetically romantic and unabashedly sentimental “At Last.” Sure, the song has become the go-to first dance at weddings the world over. But you can’t blame quality for creating quantity. The searing single is also one of the most easily associated with one artist: Etta James. The soulful blues diva imbues the simple refrain with a weary joy. This is what longing finally satiated sounds like. This is what love against all odds looks like. While researching this post, I stumbled upon an adorable picture of a lesbian couple at their wedding taking their first dance with Etta. I believe it’s impossible to see that and not have your heart wrap up in clover, just a little bit. Happy weekend, all.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
My Weekend Crush
A perfectly sung song is a thing of perpetual beauty. As I think of my favorite standards, several great ones drift lazily through my mind’s ear. “Stardust.” “Blue Moon.” “What a Wonderful World.” “God Bless the Child.” “Moon River.” Yet, one of my favorites is the unapologetically romantic and unabashedly sentimental “At Last.” Sure, the song has become the go-to first dance at weddings the world over. But you can’t blame quality for creating quantity. The searing single is also one of the most easily associated with one artist: Etta James. The soulful blues diva imbues the simple refrain with a weary joy. This is what longing finally satiated sounds like. This is what love against all odds looks like. While researching this post, I stumbled upon an adorable picture of a lesbian couple at their wedding taking their first dance with Etta. I believe it’s impossible to see that and not have your heart wrap up in clover, just a little bit. Happy weekend, all.
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3 comments:
Great song! Great diva! Too bad people still believe her (well known and brilliant) version of "At Last" was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald. Ella's nearly flawless "'Round Midnight" is a great lesson to current starlet-wannabes. Etta James should have had a career to match Ella's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixDPVp-5Ly8i
What a thoughful pick for this weekend. The lesbian wedding just puts it over the top - awwwwww.
I saw Etta 3 years ago at Long Beach R&B music festival. She was awesome. I love Etta.
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