Videos: Peggy Lee

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

Peggy Lee was one of the first female pop singers to fully understand how to wrap the camera around her finger. As visually presentable as any of her peers, there were little things she did with her eyes and mouth that melted hearts. In addition to smiling while singing (not easy), she'd frequently look off to the left and right with hip glances while her mouth dropped down in one corner to grab notes. Her expression also changed a few times in any song, which was exciting. As a result, it's hard to take your eyes off of her as you try to figure out how the magic trick is done. And that voice—it's like the low, slow whistle of a far-off coal train.

I'm looking forward to reading James Gavin's new biography of Lee (Is That All There Is?: The Strange Life of Peggy Lee), which will be pulbished Nov. 11 (go here).

A handful of videos that illustrate Lee in action:

Here's Peggy Lee in 1950 singing It's a Good Day with husband Dave Barbour...

Here's Lee singing Blues in the Night in 1957...

Here's Lee singing Non Dimenticar and My Romance in 1960...

Here's Lee with Judy Garland singing a medley that starts with I Like Men. Watch Lee's mouth here...

Here's Lee at the Oakland Naval Hospital in 1961. Dig how she wins the hearts of everyone in the room, little by little, with her relaxed charm and humanity... 

And here's Lee singing Listen to the Rockin' Bird in 1957 with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra...

Used with permission by Marc Myers