I especially like this bit from the NYT obit:
Ms. Dearie didn’t suffer fools gladly and was unafraid to voice her disdain for music she didn’t like; the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber were a particular pet peeve.
I just listened to the Rhode Island song three times in a row. And it made me laugh every time.
I agree, sad.
Of all the things I learned from Schoolhouse Rock, the greatest was a deep and abiding love of Blossom Dearie. She has the most haunting voice imaginable at the end of "Figure Eight." In high school I suddenly felt the desire to hear that voice again and discovered her amazing catalog of music.
I can't say enough about how much personality she breathes into a song. (And her disdain for ALW makes me love her just a bit more than I thought possible.)
Time to go listen to "Always True To You in My Fashion" a few too many times...
Posted by: R Lorig | 09 February 2009 at 04:07 PM
She was one of my dad's favourite singers. I am going to have to pull out some cds. Every mix I make for my daughters has a Dearie song on it. Sad, sad day.
Posted by: Stacy | 15 February 2009 at 09:08 PM