0 Valentine Love from Henderson & Vaughan
- Audio
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 02/14/2008
Bassist Michael Henderson wrote "Valentine Love" in 1976 right before a recording session with drummer Norman Connors.
"Valentine Love" is still one of the best songs you'll hear on Valentine's Day. The ballad remains a classic soul masterpiece.
"Sassy" Sarah Vaughan, (1924 - 1990), made her name during the golden era of jazz.
Her reading of "My Funny Valentine" from the Rodgers & Hart songbook is timeless.
She recorded the song in 1954 and kept it in her active repertoire for years.
Vaughan, shown here, admits that she panicked when performing the tune in 1979 for a television special. Apparently composer Richard Rodgers was in the audience.
Yes, Rodgers loved her version during the performance.
"My Funny Valentine" was first introduced in 1937 by vocalist Mitzi Green as composed by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.
The song became such a sentimental favorite through the years that it lost it's cool factor. Sarah Vaughan's version however still stands the test of time.
Listen to 25 seconds each of Michael Henderson's "Valentine Love," and Sarah Vaughan's "My Funny Valentine."