R.I.P. Keely Smith
December 22, 2017 5:50 AM Subscribe
Singer Keely Smith, who was primarily known for her partnership with bandleader Louis Prima throughout the 1950's, passed away this past Saturday at the age of 89. The manic energy that Prima always brought to their comedic/musical stage performances was countered by Smith, who would often react with a deadpan sideye and mocking of his exuberance (when she wasn't busy dissolving into giggles herself). But she could sing too. Boy, could she sing.
I fell in love with Louis and Keely when I heard them sing "That Old Black Magic" on the Wild, Cool & Swingin': Ultra Lounge CD. To me, it's their quintessential duet boiled down to the basics: some hot jazz smoldering in the background, Prima's manic energy, and Smith's relaxed cool.
Here's a clip of them performing the song and you can see what I mean. He's bouncing around like he's got a spring in his shoes. She appears cool, calm, collected and almost bored with him (or the song). You can't take your eyes off of her, and you almost wish she would just shove the big buttagots off the stage.
posted by zooropa at 7:11 AM on December 22, 2017 [6 favorites]
Here's a clip of them performing the song and you can see what I mean. He's bouncing around like he's got a spring in his shoes. She appears cool, calm, collected and almost bored with him (or the song). You can't take your eyes off of her, and you almost wish she would just shove the big buttagots off the stage.
posted by zooropa at 7:11 AM on December 22, 2017 [6 favorites]
Man, my grandparents were HUGE Louis and Keely fans. Had lots of their records. I guess it's fair to say they were part of my childhood soundtrack. Such a gorgeous, seductive voice (Keely...not Louis, LOL)
posted by Thorzdad at 7:27 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Thorzdad at 7:27 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
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discovered louis and keely during the 90s swing revival, they never fail to a smile on my face
this might be peak keely deadpan
posted by entropicamericana at 7:45 AM on December 22, 2017
discovered louis and keely during the 90s swing revival, they never fail to a smile on my face
this might be peak keely deadpan
posted by entropicamericana at 7:45 AM on December 22, 2017
I recently enjoyed watching her on What's my Line - link is to entire show on YouTube for those interested.
posted by Toddles at 7:57 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Toddles at 7:57 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
1950s, not 50's
Brought to you be The Committee to Save the Apostrophe From Abuse
posted by davebarnes at 8:12 AM on December 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Brought to you be The Committee to Save the Apostrophe From Abuse
posted by davebarnes at 8:12 AM on December 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
She appears cool, calm, collected and almost bored with him (or the song).
It's caught my attention over the years how many times people use the words "annoying", "irritating", and "obnoxious" in connection with Louis Prima as a solo artist. Sharing a mike with the sublime Keely made him seem even more grotesque and unnecessary. I'm pretty sure she hated him. The man was perfectly awful, and organized crime was the dark matter in their relationship and careers.
posted by Modest House at 8:25 AM on December 22, 2017
It's caught my attention over the years how many times people use the words "annoying", "irritating", and "obnoxious" in connection with Louis Prima as a solo artist. Sharing a mike with the sublime Keely made him seem even more grotesque and unnecessary. I'm pretty sure she hated him. The man was perfectly awful, and organized crime was the dark matter in their relationship and careers.
posted by Modest House at 8:25 AM on December 22, 2017
zooropa's experience was mine, too! Same compilation album. I love her clear but powerful voice.
I should stay away, but what can I do? You call my name and I'm aflame...
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posted by fiercecupcake at 8:33 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
I should stay away, but what can I do? You call my name and I'm aflame...
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posted by fiercecupcake at 8:33 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm pretty sure she hated him. The man was perfectly awful, and organized crime was the dark matter in their relationship and careers.
Have you seen some evidence he was involved in the mob? I can't find any mention of it on Google or wikipedia, unless you count the fact that he played Vegas in the '50s and performed with Sinatra -- neither of which are evidence of anything other than being an Italian-American musician in midcentury America.
posted by katemonster at 8:42 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Have you seen some evidence he was involved in the mob? I can't find any mention of it on Google or wikipedia, unless you count the fact that he played Vegas in the '50s and performed with Sinatra -- neither of which are evidence of anything other than being an Italian-American musician in midcentury America.
posted by katemonster at 8:42 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by dannyboybell at 9:26 AM on December 22, 2017
posted by dannyboybell at 9:26 AM on December 22, 2017
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I have to listen to the Smith/Prima version of "Embraceable You" once a month or so. Peak 50s Vegas snark.
posted by SoundInhabitant at 9:30 AM on December 22, 2017
I have to listen to the Smith/Prima version of "Embraceable You" once a month or so. Peak 50s Vegas snark.
posted by SoundInhabitant at 9:30 AM on December 22, 2017
Some people I catch up with just at their obituary; but I catch up.
posted by Oyéah at 9:40 AM on December 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Oyéah at 9:40 AM on December 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
She was fine. I first saw her in 1958's Thunder Road movie and was entranced.
posted by MovableBookLady at 9:46 AM on December 22, 2017
posted by MovableBookLady at 9:46 AM on December 22, 2017
Awwww man. I loved her voice. And the deadpan bored style she used in her duets with Louis Prima.
posted by caution live frogs at 10:41 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by caution live frogs at 10:41 AM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
The man was perfectly awful, and organized crime was the dark matter in their relationship and careers.
Have you seen some evidence he was involved in the mob?
She later spent 30 years in Palm Springs as a domestic partner of Charles J. Caci, who had ties to organized crime and sang under the name Bobby Milano .
I love the comparisons to Sonny and Cher, which I had never noticed.
This is a funny one;
https://youtu.be/jHU0-qCshUU
"That was no act. That's bashful. Louis wouldn't let anyone change me."
A show business veteran who had been discovered in New Orleans in 1934 by Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo, Prima knew gold when he saw it. Smith recalls Prima's reaction to a TV director's suggestion that Smith scratch herself in time at a specific point during a song.
"He said, 'She scratches when she itches,' " she says. "True."
She doesn't see herself as an archetype of anything. Her style, as far as she is concerned, just emerged organically from her character, and Prima had the good sense to feature it, not fix it.
Now I can't stop watching these videos. I had only heard the recordings before, the show adds another layer.
posted by bongo_x at 1:25 PM on December 22, 2017
Have you seen some evidence he was involved in the mob?
She later spent 30 years in Palm Springs as a domestic partner of Charles J. Caci, who had ties to organized crime and sang under the name Bobby Milano .
I love the comparisons to Sonny and Cher, which I had never noticed.
This is a funny one;
https://youtu.be/jHU0-qCshUU
"That was no act. That's bashful. Louis wouldn't let anyone change me."
A show business veteran who had been discovered in New Orleans in 1934 by Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo, Prima knew gold when he saw it. Smith recalls Prima's reaction to a TV director's suggestion that Smith scratch herself in time at a specific point during a song.
"He said, 'She scratches when she itches,' " she says. "True."
She doesn't see herself as an archetype of anything. Her style, as far as she is concerned, just emerged organically from her character, and Prima had the good sense to feature it, not fix it.
Now I can't stop watching these videos. I had only heard the recordings before, the show adds another layer.
posted by bongo_x at 1:25 PM on December 22, 2017
The man was perfectly awful, and organized crime was the dark matter in their relationship and careers.
Have you seen some evidence he was involved in the mob?
She later spent 30 years in Palm Springs as a domestic partner of Charles J. Caci, who had ties to organized crime and sang under the name Bobby Milano .
I had seen that, but I don't understand how that implicates Louis for what her subsequent partner did.
posted by katemonster at 1:41 PM on December 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Have you seen some evidence he was involved in the mob?
She later spent 30 years in Palm Springs as a domestic partner of Charles J. Caci, who had ties to organized crime and sang under the name Bobby Milano .
I had seen that, but I don't understand how that implicates Louis for what her subsequent partner did.
posted by katemonster at 1:41 PM on December 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
I had seen that, but I don't understand how that implicates Louis for what her subsequent partner did.
I didn't mean to imply that.
posted by bongo_x at 2:08 PM on December 22, 2017
I didn't mean to imply that.
posted by bongo_x at 2:08 PM on December 22, 2017
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posted by Fuzzy Monster at 2:36 PM on December 22, 2017
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 2:36 PM on December 22, 2017
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When I heard she died I got a bunch of my Keely LPs out of the basement and played them all back-to-back - I hadn't listened to them for years, but it was like discovering an old friend. At one point I was so entranced by Keely I started cutting my hair like hers and would seek out puffy 1950s cocktail dresses...I don't really have much time for Louis (the rock and roll for grownups shtick grates a little, maybe I'm just not a fan of saxophone) but Keely's records were magic, especially when she teamed up with Nelson Riddle. Check out Swingin' Pretty or Little Girl Blue/Little Girl New, or just watch this clip of her on the Frank Sinatra Show.
posted by plasticpalacealice at 4:49 PM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
When I heard she died I got a bunch of my Keely LPs out of the basement and played them all back-to-back - I hadn't listened to them for years, but it was like discovering an old friend. At one point I was so entranced by Keely I started cutting my hair like hers and would seek out puffy 1950s cocktail dresses...I don't really have much time for Louis (the rock and roll for grownups shtick grates a little, maybe I'm just not a fan of saxophone) but Keely's records were magic, especially when she teamed up with Nelson Riddle. Check out Swingin' Pretty or Little Girl Blue/Little Girl New, or just watch this clip of her on the Frank Sinatra Show.
posted by plasticpalacealice at 4:49 PM on December 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Wow, didn't know about her. What a singer.
posted by storybored at 8:13 PM on December 22, 2017
posted by storybored at 8:13 PM on December 22, 2017
A great loss. I loved them both so much, I made a FPP here about your "giggles" link, so I'm thrilled to see it made the post. At that time (not that many years ago) someone posted that she she was still performing.
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posted by Mchelly at 4:10 PM on December 23, 2017
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posted by Mchelly at 4:10 PM on December 23, 2017
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