Florence Ballard's Solo Live Performances

[PeaceNHarmony]

Peggy Lee did a slow, quiet, somewhat introspective version of By Myself on her superb Ole a la Lee album in 1960, accompanied by a bass/percussion background and in company with a jazz-oriented flute melody that had little to do with the tune itself. It's unusual but effective.

Maxine Sullivan recorded the song in her usual light swing fashion in 1981, in a highly enjoyable version, also with a small but more predictable combo backing.

The song is from 1937 and was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz, Broadway and Hollywood writers.

Flo may have chosen to do show tunes in part because they were well-known by the nightclub crowds, but also, partly because of economics. The standards are versatile, and they can be performed effectively and excitingly both by big orchestras [[in the theater) and by tiny jazz pick-up bands [[in cabaret settings).

Pop/rock songs, on the other hand, often require more backing musicians and back-up singers than Flo could afford. Unlike Aretha, Roberta Flack or Carole King, Flo could not play the piano, which might have helped her keep costs in control whether she chose to perform a wide mix of material or whether she opted for standards, blues songs or rock 'n roll as her main medium.

For the record, Cher recorded the song, too, in the peculiar welding of electronic and old-manner styles she developed for torch song presentations during her early-1970s television period. Some of those worked because of her Bob Mackie outfits more than because of her deadpan, half-shouted interpretation of belting.

And an amen for mention and remembrance of the joyous music of Ms. Peggy Lee. I'm wondering ... Judy Garland performed 'By Myself' in the movie 'I Could Go On Singing' as well as on her CBS TV series. Aretha Franklin was known to be moved and inspired by Garland performances, so I wonder ... did Florence see Judy's killer performance of the song on the Garland tv show and decide it would be a good addition to her live show?

As for Cher - the lp was 'Bittersweet White Light', produced by Sonny. It was an lp that reflected the American Songbook songs Cher would sing on the S&C tv series, but those renditions were superior to the weird electronic arrangements Sonny came up with for the lp. I LOVED that lp for years but find it a tad hard to listen to nowsadays!