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I'll get the dinner party conversation started this week! It should go without saying that both Ryan and I agree Sarah Vaughan is one of the greatest torch singers of all time. But another one of my favorite torch singers would have to be Carmen McRae, whose voice I *absolutely* adore. In fact, her appropriately titled 1956 album, Torchy!, is a perfect introduction to McRae's soft and sultry sonic stylings!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torchy_(album)

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Carmen McRae! Wow, you beat me to it! She's a singer that never ceases to amaze me with her phrasing and vocal stylings. Genius.

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Everyone reading this right now *needs* to hear Carmen McRae's stunning interpretation of "Inside a Silent Tear." Our dear friend Gitane Demone introduced me to this version many years ago and it's another one of my desert island tracks!

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And I know Gitane has some incredible torch singer references, since she is one of MY FAVORITE torch singers of all time!

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One of my favorite torch singers and jazz singers of all time is the inimitable Anita O'Day. I think she is vastly underrated and without a doubt one of the most singular musicians of her generation.

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Yes! Love Anita O'Day too. Her version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" at the Newport Jazz Festival (1958 I think?) is unlike any other interpretation of that song I've ever heard. She was a vocal powerhouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mu7zF7RcuE

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After the horror I experienced at hearing about the novel you’re reading about the dystopian future, which is our dystopian present, I really enjoyed the rest of the podcast.

It was so great to hear you do Truman again! More more more of your impersonations, they are too short.

As soon as I read about Truman and the swans, I thought of you immediately.

I also adore Sarah Vaughn, but who doesn’t?

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I do love doing Truman! And impersonations in general. I'll try to sneak some more of them in!

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I second the vote for more impersonations! :-)

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I love shrimp etouffee . I had a friend from New Orleans who taught me how to make it.

I took it to one of Alan‘s parties. but I did not go through the process of making the stock like you did. Sounds incredible!

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Something tells me that you make a killer Étouffée!

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Honestly, Sarah Vaughan is my favorite. I've loved her from the minute I heard Broken-Hearted Melody, which I know wasn't her favorite, but I still love singing along to it. And echoing Cheryl, who doesn't love Etta James? Treasure. As for these days, I will admit that I love me some Adele. Moving on...CAJUN DEVILED EGGS. Can I just move in with you two? Or the place down the street? Just anywhere where I can come over for dinner every night...xoxo

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I have to say that I LOVE Broken-Hearted Melody as well. And Etta James . . . Goddess! We love Adele too, for that matter. What pipes!

And yes, come live next door and I'll make you Cajun Deviled Eggs every day!

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Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Adele . . . I think I can hear another playlist forming . . . along with Carmen McRae, Gitane Demone and Anita O'Day of course!

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Yes! Come live next door! There's a cute Airbnb around the corner with your name on it!

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I agree with Katie. Maybe we can move into that lovely Airbnb near you two and have dinner with you!

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Bring it on!

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I'm here for it! Let's manifest the virtual dinner party into a reality!

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Etta James (not

Jones) it’s probably my favorite torture. (I have a love/hate relationship with spell check, as we all do!) torch singer!!!

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Etta is without a doubt one of the most incredible torch singers (not torture at all!).

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Love Etta! Another one of the greats!

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