Holly Cole -- Talk to Me, Baby

 

Holly Cole has graced the pages of "Kayo Kyoku Plus" before when I introduced her via her seasonal "The Christmas Blues" which she released back in 1989. In fact, it was through a ROY article that she got through and once again, I'm giving her the same treatment here and now.

As I said in that article, in terms of Canadian jazz singers, before Michael Bublé and before Diana Krall, there was Holly Cole. I mentioned there that I had been back in Toronto on vacation during my time on the JET Programme, and most likely through Canada's MuchMusic video channel, I'd seen Cole for the first time through a music video whose song title I couldn't remember at the time.

Well, I remember now. I mean, I certainly remember the video with Cole looking like the ultimate torch song singer in a dramatically black strapless gown on a dimly-lit soundstage as she cooed the song into our ears while backed up by a classy combination of pianist and wood bassist. That song was "Talk to Me, Baby" which was originally written and recorded by singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer and composed by Bobby Dolan back in 1964 for the Broadway musical "Foxy". Cole's sultrier version was recorded onto her 1st full album "Girl Talk" from 1990.

Also, listen to Mercer himself take on his creation. His take has a bit more of the swing orchestra behind him.

Well, since only a year was given for the release of Cole's "Girl Talk", let's show the usual Japanese comparison with a few of the winners at that year's Japan Record Awards -- Pop/Rock Division.

Grand Prize -- B.B. Queens -- Odoru Ponpokorin （おどるポンポコリン）

Rock Gold Disc Award -- Southern All Stars -- Manatsu no Kajitsu （真夏の果実）

Best New Artist -- Tama -- Sayonara Jinrui （さよなら人類）

Holly Cole -- The Christmas Blues

 

KKP mascot and aidoru Kayo Kyoku is back in front of a Christmas tree since the final Reminiscings of Youth article for November 2023 will also be the first ROY article for Xmas 2023 on KKP. 

In terms of Canada and jazz, before I heard Michael Bublé, before I heard Diana Krall but after I learned about Oscar Petersen, it was jazz chanteuse Holly Cole. The first time I heard her may have been during my time on the JET Programme or when I got back to Canada. There was a music video (not the one above) where I first saw the Nova Scotia-born Cole but the one song that I've always associated her with is her wonderful cover of the haunting "Calling You" which came out in 1991. I was struck by her gamine beauty and it was like seeing a perfect combination of Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine.

But I did say that this was going to be a Yuletide-themed ROY article, so I'm going to go with "The Christmas Blues" by the Holly Cole Trio. The song came with the rest of the trio's album "Christmas Blues", their very first recording, in fact, in 1989.  Aaron Davis was on the piano while David Piltch was plucking away on the wood bass. Meanwhile, Cole had her own fine instrument in the form of her voice as she playfully and seductively sang us into relaxation with our mug of cocoa. I was able to get my own copy of the song through an Xmas compilation.

For the longest time, I'd only known the Cole cover but I eventually found out that the original, which was created by Sammy Kahn and David Jack Holt, had been recorded by Dean Martin in October 1953. I'd say that "The Christmas Blues" could be given an honorary status as a typical Christmas kayo kyoku as the protagonist is going through a lonely and partner-less Holiday season while the rest of humanity is enjoying themselves as usual. 

I just had to include this televised version of Dino singing "The Christmas Blues", and I think that may be Kahn himself on the piano. Not sure what it was about Kahn shaking Martin's head vigorously at the end, but I could have imagined Dino screaming "KAHNNNNNN!" years before William Shatner did on "Star Trek II" (sorry...I'll just see myself out there). 😁 Bad joke aside, during my near six decades here on Earth, I only caught the last few years of the musical-variety show era in America but I still have a fond memory of seeing scenes like these. 

Anyways, since Wikipedia only mentioned the year that Cole's version of "The Christmas Blues" was released, I'll just go with some of the award winners at the 1989 Japan Record Awards for the comparison.

Record of the Year: Wink -- Samishii Nettaigyo （淋しい熱帯魚）

Album of the Year: Anri -- Circuit of Rainbow

Best New Artist: Marcia -- Furimukeba Yokohama （ふりむけばヨコハマ）