Sunday, September 12, 2010

Kaye Ballard -- Lazy Afternoon (Golden Apple Original-Cast) 1954

An excerpt from the original-cast album of 'The Golden Apple', issued in 1954 on an RCA-Victor long-play disc, number LOC1014-- Kaye Ballard singing 'Lazy Afternoon'.
'Lazy Afternoon' has been recorded by, among others, in alphabetical order, vocalists Patti Austin, Ann Hampton Callaway, Eartha Kitt, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Vaughan, Vanessa Williams, Monica Worth. And that does not include the instrumental or jazz versions (eg, Wynton Marsalis).
But the song was part of 'The Golden Apple', the creation of John Latouche and Jerome Moross during the 1953-54 season. This off-Broadway musical show became historically important not merely for its merit, but also because it was probably the first show that traveled from off- to on-Broadway. And Kaye Ballard was part of 'The Golden Apple' cast, earning a cover story from Life magazine (see photo).
However many versions there have been or will be, Kaye Ballard's performance of 'Lazy Afternoon'-- simple, seductive, beautifully sung-- is the golden standard.

No comments: