Keely Smith, 1928-2017

Today Palm Springs mourns the loss of one of its most legendary musical stars: the great jazz singer Keely Smith. From here at Poolside, where her platters are spun to this day, we send our condolences to her family and many friends.


Ms. Smith was known for such songs as "That Old Black Magic" and "I've Got You Under My Skin," as well as "Palm Springs Jump." Here she is on The Frank Sinatra Show in 1958 singing, "When Day is Done."
 

Perhaps our favorite by Ms. Smith and her husband, Louis Prima, are these simple instructions for life:"You gotta jump, jive, and then you wail. You gotta jump, jive, and then you wail. You gotta jump, jive, and then you wail away!" We think that pretty much covers it.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The view from here

Image
Here's what the world looked like from Poolside in Palm Springs this morning: That's Mt. San Jacinto (above), resplendent in a fresh coat of snow, the first of the season and two months overdue. If you're planning to take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in the next few days, get there early, get your ticket,s and then enjoy a leisurely stroll around town before your scheduled ride.  Meanwhile, Mt. San Gorgonio, aka Big Bear (below), got even more snow, and the ski resorts there are also going to be quite popular. Meanwhile, on the valley floor, temperatures will be in the 70s and 80s, and the Palm Springs International Film Festival continues through January 15. It's peak season here in the desert, and easy to see why.
Read more

Raindrops in the pool

Image
I wish I could share with you the best part of a surprise desert rain shower. Sure, it's nice to see the droplets hit the pool, but that's not the best part. It's also nice to know we can put the irrigation system on pause for a day. But that's not the best part, either. The best part comes just a few minutes after the rain moistens the landscape, when the wet creosote bushes make the air smell burnt. And just for that fleeting moment, we know that the hedges in the desert aren't quite so dusty today.
Read more

Local boy makes good

Image
Welcome to the neighborhood, Desert Palm Achievement Award winner Gary Oldman and wife Gisele Schmidt! Oldman announced the couple were in the midst of moving to Palm Springs when he accepted the award last night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala . Congratulations on the new home and on the distinguished award for an astonishing portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour . Who says you're never a hit in your home town? As you settle in and get to know the desert better, Mr. and Mrs. Oldman, be sure to drop by Lord Fletcher's in Rancho Mirage for dinner. You'll see a familiar face on the wall there. The Palm Springs International Film Festival continues through January 15.
Read more