I prefer this version over Sinatra and Company. Did Sinatra re-record this, or did you two different takes. I don't think the 2nd version was available until CD and then it became a bonus track.
I think it was recorded as a reprise to Watertown, his most underappreciated album...not just because he is brilliant but because the compositions, and especially the lyrics, are brilliant. Seriously, the song construction and lyrics are outrageously smart.
Btw--I think he an the real-life Lady Day had an extra special connection...not just about "bending the notes" (a hallmark of FS' styling that he learned from BH), but a deeper, more loving unbending affection.
Btw2--that FS felt compelled to re-record LADY DAY, because he felt the first (arguably more affecting and accessible version) was not a sufficient tribute to BH--speaks to the depth of his affection for and admiration of her. (Note also that George Jacobs, his assistant, wrote that FS rolled up in a ball and cried and drank for three days when BH died...having seen her shortly before she passed.) They were both very troubled souls, whose demons, like so many great musicians, fueled their creative genius. But such sorrowful depths were exponentially more tormenting for African-American artists...for obvious reasons.
@TheHound Sorry, but you're absolutely incorrect. "Lady Day" was certainly originally written as a tribute to Billie Holiday - that's per Bob Gaudio, who ought to know. He wrote it. It was written in the same writing session as the ten "Watertown" tunes (Bob Gaudio & Jake Holmes), and was submitted to Sinatra with the understanding that it wasn't part of the narrative. Mr. SInatra wanted to record it anyway and did so in the same session and with the same musicians and arranger as the "Watertown" album. It wound up not being a part of the original release album because it wasn't part of the story, Mr. Sinatra later re-recorded it with a revised arrangement by Nelson Riddle which was slower, more lush and dramatic. That was released on the "Sinatra and Company" album and was also the single release. The original was included in later "Watertown" releases. I hope this clears up all the confusion.
@@CaptainComedia many stories on it.. Originally it was the conclusion of the album WaterTown.. she left, and was coming back, but she never did.. then it was pulled and re released as some have mentioned as a tribute to Billie H. Lady Day as she was called for a long time.. so the writer Bill Gaudio should of known that.. if he was inking for Sinatra.. and not a one night wonder guy :) A 1994 CD bonus track "Lady Day" tells the story of his wife leaving Watertown for the city. Jake Holmes, the lyricist, explained the story of each track to Ed O'Brien for the liner notes: Epilogue 11. "Lady Day." I saw the woman as someone who had talent. She wanted to be an artist or a singer. He was a hometown person. His whole orientation was family and business. He was the knd of guy who really lived in Watertown. She was more restless - a more contemporary woman. She wanted to do other things. She wasn't liberated enough to tell him, and she didn't think he'd understand. He was basically a good guy, but she wanted more. She abandoned her family and went for a career. The postscript was whether or not she got it and was it worth it.
I beg to differ. Songwriters Gaudio/Holmes weren't aware of any Billie Holiday connection to this song at all. Sinatra made the connection and re-recorded it in California. The original instrumentation for Watertown was recorded at Columbia in NYC with totally different musicians. The second version arranged and produced by Don Costa was much more lush and probably more in Sinatra's style.
I prefer this version over Sinatra and Company. Did Sinatra re-record this, or did you two different takes. I don't think the 2nd version was available until CD and then it became a bonus track.
IS IT ON THE WATERTWON CD .?
Yes, he recorded it twice. Two very different versions.
I think it was recorded as a reprise to Watertown, his most underappreciated album...not just because he is brilliant but because the compositions, and especially the lyrics, are brilliant. Seriously, the song construction and lyrics are outrageously smart.
Btw--I think he an the real-life Lady Day had an extra special connection...not just about "bending the notes" (a hallmark of FS' styling that he learned from BH), but a deeper, more loving unbending affection.
Btw2--that FS felt compelled to re-record LADY DAY, because he felt the first (arguably more affecting and accessible version) was not a sufficient tribute to BH--speaks to the depth of his affection for and admiration of her. (Note also that George Jacobs, his assistant, wrote that FS rolled up in a ball and cried and drank for three days when BH died...having seen her shortly before she passed.) They were both very troubled souls, whose demons, like so many great musicians, fueled their creative genius. But such sorrowful depths were exponentially more tormenting for African-American artists...for obvious reasons.
Not an original Watertown recording.
This was a tribute to Billie Holiday .
@TheHound Sorry, but you're absolutely incorrect. "Lady Day" was certainly originally written as a tribute to Billie Holiday - that's per Bob Gaudio, who ought to know. He wrote it. It was written in the same writing session as the ten "Watertown" tunes (Bob Gaudio & Jake Holmes), and was submitted to Sinatra with the understanding that it wasn't part of the narrative. Mr. SInatra wanted to record it anyway and did so in the same session and with the same musicians and arranger as the "Watertown" album. It wound up not being a part of the original release album because it wasn't part of the story, Mr. Sinatra later re-recorded it with a revised arrangement by Nelson Riddle which was slower, more lush and dramatic. That was released on the "Sinatra and Company" album and was also the single release. The original was included in later "Watertown" releases. I hope this clears up all the confusion.
@@CaptainComedia many stories on it.. Originally it was the conclusion of the album WaterTown.. she left, and was coming back, but she never did.. then it was pulled and re released as some have mentioned as a tribute to Billie H. Lady Day as she was called for a long time.. so the writer Bill Gaudio should of known that.. if he was inking for Sinatra.. and not a one night wonder guy :) A 1994 CD bonus track "Lady Day" tells the story of his wife leaving Watertown for the city.
Jake Holmes, the lyricist, explained the story of each track to Ed O'Brien for the liner notes: Epilogue
11. "Lady Day." I saw the woman as someone who had talent. She wanted to be an artist or a singer. He was a hometown person. His whole orientation was family and business. He was the knd of guy who really lived in Watertown. She was more restless - a more contemporary woman. She wanted to do other things. She wasn't liberated enough to tell him, and she didn't think he'd understand. He was basically a good guy, but she wanted more. She abandoned her family and went for a career. The postscript was whether or not she got it and was it worth it.
I beg to differ. Songwriters Gaudio/Holmes weren't aware of any Billie Holiday connection to this song at all. Sinatra made the connection and re-recorded it in California. The original instrumentation for Watertown was recorded at Columbia in NYC with totally different musicians. The second version arranged and produced by Don Costa was much more lush and probably more in Sinatra's style.
THIS SONG IS NOT ON WATERTOWN , URGH
what do you mean? the song is in the LP indeed...
PETER carl this is alternate , different version i think
It's on later issue LPs and CDs