3. Song name: “Lush Life”
Artist: Natalie Cole
Song Writer: Billy Strayhorn
Arranger: Johnny Mandel
This Natalie Cole album was so good that I have two especially wonderful songs from it. This one, “Lush Life”, is an extremely well known song, recorded at one time or another by probably every female vocalist ever, yet this version is the one that grabs me the most. I can’t listen to this album without getting entranced by this song. Natalie’s voice is so clear, powerful, and beautiful, I can just absolutely feel it, that sense of emptiness and desperation from being jilted by one you thought loved you and you still deeply love. And how many other women are there suffering this same thing, this pain and emptiness. The song ends with a sense of compassion for them all.
Not every song in this LockDown series can be uplifting per se, but even though those of us in lockdown can relate to the mood of this song for various reasons, and we can miss for a while how good just a few week ago feels in contrast, perhaps shared compassion for others can carry us through.
This song is also a great example of being aware of the song writer. Billy Strayhorn, known for his work with Duke Ellington, was a genius in his own right, and one can hardly go wrong by seeking out Billy Strayhorn songs. Also, this song is unusual in that it tells its story right on through, without having any repeat of the narrative or a chorus.
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