Ella Fitzgerald – What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Upon its composition, I wonder what type of artists Frank Loesser imagined would cover “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” Harry Connick, Jr.? Sure. Barry Manilow? Maybe. Clay Aiken? Probably not.
I think Ella would have surpassed all expectations. This song wasn’t meant for Diana Krall’s crystal-confident pipes. It’s saturated with longing, with the agony of indecision (that rules your cover out, too, Bette Midler). And Ella—oh, Ella—she knows what that means. Her voice wavers often, dangling in the still air of midnight like an unmet expectation. More than anything, this song sounds sincere drifting from her glossy lips. Diana knows what you’re doing New Year’s Eve, but Ella sounds genuinely hopeful, genuinely uncertain. The trumpets and saxophones long to bring her drinks not because she’s the best, but because, when she sings, she knows the most important part of the song is the question mark in its title.
Perhaps I’m drawn to songs destined for numerous covers because it implies some sort of inherent excellence. Twenty versions of Evan and Jaron’s “Crazy for This Girl?” No. Twenty versions of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” including a phenomenal version (head tilt and all) by generally-indie-accepted-pop-bluegrass-juggernauts Nickel Creek? You’re damn right.
And now it’s that time of year again. Your favorite music e-zines have agreed it’s the point at which to take holiday, leaving your ears otherwise starved for new idols. How will you survive? If Nick Hornby has anything to say about it (and, in fact, he has an entire dreary book’s worth of speculation), New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection, regret, and numerous other forms of angst. However, it is also a time of creation. Our most beloved artists are just as human as the lot of us, and while we’re pissed and busy dreaming up resolutions (e.g. “I WILL learn the accordion this year, I WILL.), some of next year’s best music is gestating in these musicians’ figurative wombs.
I imagine I’ll be out and about at some hipster shindig, decked in appropriate hipster attire, listening to some brilliant Scottish album not slated for release until 2009. Or I’ll be at home listening to great music, having a laugh, a bottle of wine, and teaching myself the accordion…
Happy New Years.
[buy stuff here]
January 1st, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Ah yes. The requisite Clay Aiken slam. How original. Barry Manilow has said that Clay Aiken is a much better singer than he is. He also called Clay the real deal. Of course Barry and Harry Connick have both performed with Clay, were both very complimentary and they know what he can do, unlike you, who has never heard Clay’s version but you’ll take the cheap shot anyway. Pity.
January 1st, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Well, I hope that when you stayed home last night, and listened to some “good music”, it included all of your speculative versions of,’What Are You Doing New Years Eve?”
It’s 2007 now, and we are ready for your informed, honest, critique, of the artists, and the song, as performed by each performer you mentioned.
Ella must have sang the song beautifully, as I can only imagine. She is a top notch musical artist, with lots and lots of soul.
I haven’t heard it, but am willing to believe that it was one of the best versions.
Don’t count out Mr. Aiken on doing a fantastic version of it also.
Especially, live in concert, while pulling an unknowing woman from the audience to dance with,while belting out the song.
Both of the artists’ envelope the listeners with their artistry.
Ms.Fitzgerald with a deep soulful longing, and Mr. Aiken with a passionate, soulful, entertaining, version.
I would never disparage a singer based on my own assumptions. My own bias’. I am hoping this new year, you in turn will follow my lead.
respectfully,
Martigyrl
January 1st, 2007 at 11:07 pm
People, If you’ve read any of Rahawa’s past reviews you might notice that she has a bit of a sense of humor about things. Lighten up.
January 2nd, 2007 at 7:05 am
Now, now. I’ve heard Clay’s version. The problem isn’t that I’m unimpressed by it, it’s that I don’t buy it. Each artist I mentioned evokes something different with this song, and with Clay I don’t believe him when he asks “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?” In fact, I don’t believe that he’s asking, and that’s what I wrote about. I’m not Clay bashing; I writing that there’s something fundamental about this song, at least to me, that singers lose in their desire to make it beautiful (i.e. the question mark), and Clay, despite his passion, most of all.
January 2nd, 2007 at 7:06 am
Whoops, make that “I’m writing.”