Winter. It’s that time of year again, and for those of us in regions where it gets cold, our thoughts turn to snow, mittens, and hot toddies. Some of my favorite things as winter rolls around? The comfort of sitting in front of a fireplace toasting marshmallows, the smells of cinnamon and nutmeg coming from whatever I’m baking in the kitchen, the glitter of icicles hanging from trees, and the sounds of the music so deeply linked to the season.
I seriously doubt that there is anyone unfamiliar with the Rodgers and Hammerstein tune “My Favorite Things,” from the 1959 musical The Sound of Music. I love that song, so for this Black Music Sunday, I’m going to keep it simple: We’ll be exploring my favorites among the many—many!— covers out there.
While trying to decide whether to decorate for the upcoming Christmas holiday (it’s a yes), and talking with friends who are preparing to celebrate winter solstice, I found myself humming “My Favorite Things” as I went to dig out our tree and trimmings from the garage. When my husband heard me, he asked me what my favorite version was, and offered his, which I’ll share along with my choices.
Before we dive in, let’s visit the lyrics.
My favorite version of “My Favorite Things” is from the incomparable Betty Carter, profiled here last summer.
Born Lillie Mae Jones in Flint, Michigan, in 1929, let’s learn how she became “Betty Carter,” courtesy of her 1998 obituary in The Independent.
I had the great good fortune to see Carter perform numerous times before she joined the scat singers in the sky. She was a guest at the Pacifica jazz radio station where I worked in Washington, D.C. In 1977, she was in town for an outdoor concert at Fort Dupont, which is where I first met her; she later invited me to visit her at her home in Brooklyn. My admiration for her went beyond her amazing musicality: It was her independent stance against the manipulation and control of record companies that plucked at the feminist strings of my heart. After spending time off the road raising her two sons, Carter was faced with a changed music world. So in 1971, she founded her own record company, Bet-Car, and would continue to record on her own label until signing with Verve in 1988.
While browsing YouTube for this story, I came across this clip of Carter doing “My Favorite Things” live; I had never seen it before. I can’t pin down what program it’s from—apologies to my editor—but had to share this version here anyway. (Ed. Note: I’ll allow it. This is awesome!) Carter is performing with Bennie Green on piano, Tarik Shah on bass, and Winard Harper on drums. This is definitely not Julie Andrews!
YouTube Video
All I can say is, “Wow.”
On the male vocalist side of the street, my husband Nadhiyr’s pick is Al Jarreau’s smooth and versatile version, first recorded in 1965. Sadly, Jarreau is another member of the choir of the ancestors who we’ve lost.
As John Fordham wrote in Jarreau’s obituary in The Guardian:
Nadhiyr gives it his #1 honors; what do you think?
YouTube Video
My top pick differs from Nad’s, which is no surprise since we are of slightly different music generations (I’m older). Given my instrumental choice is the epic, instantly recognizable version by John Coltrane (more on that in a moment), it’s unsurprising that my top vocal choice comes from Johnny Hartman—from an album named for and dedicated to Coltrane.
Hartman may not be a name you recognize, but his contributions are significant.
I guess you can dub me one of those “true jazz lovers,” because I’ve worn out multiple copies of his albums in this lifetime.
YouTube Video
All these vocals, of course, are leading us to what became the most popular song (and album with the same name) ever recorded by John Coltrane.
Shawl Lobree started a blog in 2010 solely dedicated to Coltrane, and he wrote a three-part review of the My Favorite Things album for its 50th anniversary, noting that the song was far from a standard when Coltrane put his legendary spin on it.
Rather than share the studio performance we all know so well, let’s try this live version, recorded in Belgium in 1965. Sit back and be mesmerized.
YouTube Video
For me, these 20-plus minutes are some of the greatest in jazz.
So what are your favorite tunes for this time of year? Join me in the comments below to listen to even more Black Music Sunday selections for the season, and know that I’m looking forward to hearing yours.
I seriously doubt that there is anyone unfamiliar with the Rodgers and Hammerstein tune “My Favorite Things,” from the 1959 musical The Sound of Music. I love that song, so for this Black Music Sunday, I’m going to keep it simple: We’ll be exploring my favorites among the many—many!— covers out there.
While trying to decide whether to decorate for the upcoming Christmas holiday (it’s a yes), and talking with friends who are preparing to celebrate winter solstice, I found myself humming “My Favorite Things” as I went to dig out our tree and trimmings from the garage. When my husband heard me, he asked me what my favorite version was, and offered his, which I’ll share along with my choices.
Before we dive in, let’s visit the lyrics.
My favorite version of “My Favorite Things” is from the incomparable Betty Carter, profiled here last summer.
Born Lillie Mae Jones in Flint, Michigan, in 1929, let’s learn how she became “Betty Carter,” courtesy of her 1998 obituary in The Independent.
I had the great good fortune to see Carter perform numerous times before she joined the scat singers in the sky. She was a guest at the Pacifica jazz radio station where I worked in Washington, D.C. In 1977, she was in town for an outdoor concert at Fort Dupont, which is where I first met her; she later invited me to visit her at her home in Brooklyn. My admiration for her went beyond her amazing musicality: It was her independent stance against the manipulation and control of record companies that plucked at the feminist strings of my heart. After spending time off the road raising her two sons, Carter was faced with a changed music world. So in 1971, she founded her own record company, Bet-Car, and would continue to record on her own label until signing with Verve in 1988.
While browsing YouTube for this story, I came across this clip of Carter doing “My Favorite Things” live; I had never seen it before. I can’t pin down what program it’s from—apologies to my editor—but had to share this version here anyway. (Ed. Note: I’ll allow it. This is awesome!) Carter is performing with Bennie Green on piano, Tarik Shah on bass, and Winard Harper on drums. This is definitely not Julie Andrews!
YouTube Video
All I can say is, “Wow.”
On the male vocalist side of the street, my husband Nadhiyr’s pick is Al Jarreau’s smooth and versatile version, first recorded in 1965. Sadly, Jarreau is another member of the choir of the ancestors who we’ve lost.
As John Fordham wrote in Jarreau’s obituary in The Guardian:
Nadhiyr gives it his #1 honors; what do you think?
YouTube Video
My top pick differs from Nad’s, which is no surprise since we are of slightly different music generations (I’m older). Given my instrumental choice is the epic, instantly recognizable version by John Coltrane (more on that in a moment), it’s unsurprising that my top vocal choice comes from Johnny Hartman—from an album named for and dedicated to Coltrane.
Hartman may not be a name you recognize, but his contributions are significant.
I guess you can dub me one of those “true jazz lovers,” because I’ve worn out multiple copies of his albums in this lifetime.
YouTube Video
All these vocals, of course, are leading us to what became the most popular song (and album with the same name) ever recorded by John Coltrane.
Shawl Lobree started a blog in 2010 solely dedicated to Coltrane, and he wrote a three-part review of the My Favorite Things album for its 50th anniversary, noting that the song was far from a standard when Coltrane put his legendary spin on it.
Rather than share the studio performance we all know so well, let’s try this live version, recorded in Belgium in 1965. Sit back and be mesmerized.
YouTube Video
For me, these 20-plus minutes are some of the greatest in jazz.
So what are your favorite tunes for this time of year? Join me in the comments below to listen to even more Black Music Sunday selections for the season, and know that I’m looking forward to hearing yours.