Having it both ways on an old standard

March 5, 2011 4:22 PM

Solo duet - "Dream a Little Dream of Me." Sophie Merry, AKA Groovy Dancing Girl (previously, more, videos, to enjoy), made this video where she lip synchs and mimes both parts of the classic Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong duet.
posted by i less than three nsima (12 comments total)

This seemed totally pointless at first but then it won me over completely. It just didn't work the way I expected - I was SHOCKED when she switched to the Louis part.
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 5:06 PM on March 5, 2011

holy cow!, excellent!, thanks
posted by Confess, Fletch at 6:23 PM on March 5, 2011

I have a big fat crush on
the groovy dancing girl,
and her big knit hat.
posted by quazichimp at 6:47 PM on March 5, 2011 [3 favorites]

It was...disturbingly...sexy.
posted by Samizdata at 7:51 PM on March 5, 2011

Rocking some serious Eric Stoltz mojo there. I approve.
posted by lumensimus at 8:01 PM on March 5, 2011

The video did nothing for me, but the audio was Ella and Louis, so I can't complain.
posted by dirigibleman at 8:33 PM on March 5, 2011

I like this and I'm not trying to be a complete dick, but... why is she singing into the top of the microphone? That part is solid metal.. you want to sing into the grill part... that's where the pickup is. Still, great stuff!
posted by Ron Thanagar at 8:41 PM on March 5, 2011

why is she singing into the top of the microphone?

IIRC, it has something to do with reducing popping and sibilance.
posted by Artichoke Dance Off!! at 9:03 PM on March 5, 2011

I was relieved she wasn't in blackface when she switched the Louis Armstrong part.
posted by cropshy at 4:57 AM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

To be honest, the duet was a little underwhelming, but no matter. Watching her dance to Justice & Daft Punk never gets old, does it?
posted by KingEdRa at 7:44 AM on March 6, 2011

On second viewing, this is nicely done. There are clues about how the duet will work in the beginning, but you'd have to paying very close attention to catch them, and with all the smoke and soft focus and prettiness being so lulling, those details are easy to miss the first time through. And just about the time the neat factor of the reveal was wearing off, the switches picked up pace and the choreography and direction showed the architecture of the costume and styling more, which was cool. Lots of good choices at work here.
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:02 AM on March 6, 2011

I think I liked the dancing more than the "duet," which was a little too "Puttin' on the Hits" for my tastes.
posted by Amanojaku at 4:08 PM on March 7, 2011