I once described Blossom Dearie as "the hippest person in the world." It was a forgivable piece of hyperbole, though she was surely one of the strangest creatures in the world, a fey woman with a tiny, childlike voice and a hard-earned reputation for craziness who sang in a style precisely equidistant between jazz and cabaret, accompanying herself on the piano with supreme delicacy and finesse. She was also an exceptionally fine composer whose best songs, "I'm Shadowing You" and "Sweet Surprise" in particular, deserve to be much better known. Her long run at the now-defunct Danny's Skylight Room, which lasted into the twenty-first century, gave those not yet born when the New York cabaret scene was at its height a chance to know something of what it was like.

very good tribute show for the late ms dearie by wfmu dj monica. this is a must listen if you are either a fan or yet unfamiliar with her piano bar cool style. if youve made up your mind and are not a fan, this wont help.
- bill 2-17-2009 1:04 pm [add a comment]

Mom liked Blossom, especially her rendition of My Attorney Bernie. Her influence is evident in the late Susannah McCorkle, remembered here. Those girl singers always take the brunt of it don’t they? Not that I’m a fan..
- alex 2-18-2009 2:17 am [add a comment]

a bernie sidebar.
- bill 2-18-2009 12:49 pm [add a comment]