Blossom Dearie dies at 82
Somewhat lost in the flurry of Grammy activity was the news that Blossom Dearie, the jazz-cabaret singer with a voice as sweet and precious as her name, died of natural causes in her Greenwich Village apartment Saturday.
With a breezy, gentle vocal style that echoed a little girl's innocence, Dearie's appeal as a vocalist lies beyond genre classifications. In fact, many Pop&Hiss readers may have unknowingly first become familiar with Dearie as the voice for a few "Schoolhouse Rock" cartoons in the 1970s, including the gorgeous "Figure Eight" and "Unpack Your Adjectives." (Watch a YouTube clip after the jump.)
Lend an ear to the rainy day-ready "Now at Last" from her self-titled debut backed by Ray Brown and Jo Jones, then have probably the most lovely experience possible while brushing up on your multiplication tables. Thanks, Blossom.
Read The Times' obituary here.
-- Chris Barton
Rest well, Blossom. A true talent, a unique voice.....
Posted by: Josh Baker | February 09, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Thanks, Blossom, for childhood memories that still make me smile today.
Posted by: Suzanne Bailey | February 10, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Search youtube for "I'm Hip" for a more upbeat and funny Blossom Dearie song. It's my favorite.
Posted by: Awesome Robot | February 10, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Blossom's music is truly timeless. She was a talented and charming performer. Seeing her live was more amazing than I could have ever anticipated. Her music will live on, but she will be missed.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 10, 2009 at 08:21 PM