Blossom Dearie, one of my musical heroes, passed away a week ago today at the age of 82. She was an adorable jazz songbird/pianist who blended the worlds of Cabaret and Jazz. She is known to the music world for her versions of RHODE ISLAND IS FAMOUS FOR YOU, I'M HIP, and ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME. However, she is probably best known to America as the singer of FIGURE 8 and UNPACK YOUR ADJECTIVES from "Schoolhouse Rock."
Rather than give my version of her biography, I would like to share the effect her music has had on my life.
When rummaging one day in a cd shop for the next cd to "change my life" I came across a cover of a woman from the 50's with blonde curly hair and thick black glasses.... it was a self titled album called BLOSSOM DEARIE.
"That can't be her REAL name." I thought. I was curious, so I went out on a limb and purchased it. I put the cd in my discman (which was connected to my car tape player) and drove away. I was enchanted by the sweet girl-like quality to her voice. Yet beyond that small voice there was a sophisticated essence to the album. I immediately fell in love with a trio of songs about "spring." There was a french version of "It Might as Well Be Spring" halfway through the cd, an adorable song called "A Fine Spring Morning," and the lovely "They Say it's Spring."
"That can't be her REAL name." I thought. I was curious, so I went out on a limb and purchased it. I put the cd in my discman (which was connected to my car tape player) and drove away. I was enchanted by the sweet girl-like quality to her voice. Yet beyond that small voice there was a sophisticated essence to the album. I immediately fell in love with a trio of songs about "spring." There was a french version of "It Might as Well Be Spring" halfway through the cd, an adorable song called "A Fine Spring Morning," and the lovely "They Say it's Spring."
As all my friends know, I am an impulse cd buyer... so I listened to this for a while and moved on to my next "favorite album"... and then the next. Yet Blossom's voice stuck with me. I would look for other cd's by Blossom but would never find another. Then the jazz record label "Verve" started re-releasing her catalogue. One day I was very excited to find BLOSSOM DEARIE SINGS COMDEN AND GREEN. I think I shouted "Shut UP!" at the record store. (Not "Shut Up! You're too loud." but rather "Shut Up! I can't believe I am holding this cd in my hands!") I loved the music by songwriters Comden and Green (Bells Are Ringing, On The Town, Wonderful Town) and was very excited to Blossom's renditions.
I was in love. Actually at the time I was permanently single... and a "hopeful romantic," but I was in love with the album. It was a mix of innocent hope with a subtle undertone of sadness. Reflected my life to a tee. The album opens with "What a day, fortune smiled and came my way. Bringing love... I never thought I'd see. I'm so LUCKY TO BE ME." Later on she swings JUST IN TIME with exuberant joy. How I wanted what she was singing about. She takes THE PARTY'S OVER with a swingin' groove as well and ends with a little giggle! (adorable!) There is also a lovely version of one of my fav songs ever.. the bittersweet SOME OTHER TIME.
Shortly later I found MY GENTLEMAN FRIEND. The cd AND the actual gentleman. The cd was cute, funny, quirky, and a wonderful match for me. The friend... the same.
The album opens with an adorable cover of LITTLE JAZZ BIRD written by the Gershwins. The next song begins... "I'm riding high, and I approve of the trend. Look what I found me. I found myself a GENTLEMAN FRIEND"
In true "life imitating art" fashion, I was getting to know a wonderful guy named James. We had met many years before and I occasionally ran into him at various functions and events. I always gave him a "Hey! I know you/How's it goin?" nod/smile. Years later I did a few gigs for a production company and found out that this SAME GUY worked for the company! We soon became very good friends... cue songs SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME... and HELLO LOVE. I had a major crush, but found out right away that he had a boyfriend. I am not one to break apart a relationship, so I never made my feelings known. We DID become really good friends (long conversations about life on the phone... hanging out... fun road trips with other friends.) All this was done in true Blossom fashion... a "Sophisticated Innocence" There was no mention of romance. I had found a best friend and was so thankful he was in my life.
About a year went by and I got a job singing on a cruise ship. James drove me to the airport. We were stuck in traffic and he confided to me that he had feelings for me. "I don't know when I will see you again.... I just want you to know if we had met under different circumstances... things would be different." There were tears in both of our eyes. I quietly nodded "I know." He gave me a kiss on the cheek, an emotional hug, and dropped me off at the airport. I had NO idea he had felt this way. I knew the relationship with his boyfriend was not working for either of them, but as a friend I was always trying to assure James that it would work out.
Overwhelmed with emotions (and tears) I headed off to my next professional adventure. This romance wasn't meant to be. While on the cruise we chatted every weekend when I was in a port. We never mentioned the car ride conversation. We were "friends as before." Of course I thought about him all the time. The love songs of Blossom Dearie were the bittersweet soundtrack to my life. I hadn't shared her music with James. I didn't feel it was really appropriate for us to be listening to love songs together. For Christmas that year I DID finally send him a Blossom cd... MY GENTLEMAN FRIEND. I knew he would appreciate the adorable quirkiness of Blossom's vocals, and I loved the title. He was one of my dearest friends, and a true "gentleman."
One day towards the end of my contract James told me that he and his boyfriend had split. He said it was a long time coming. "Of course it was hard, but it is the right decision for both of us." I just listened offering my comfort as a friend. Eventually the conversion moved on to other subjects. Towards the end of the phone call I told him I was coming back to Tampa after my contract was over. (There was a pause.) He answered "really?"
"Yes, I'm coming back to work there...... (pause)... (pause) Remember the conversation we had on the way to the airport?"
"Yes of course."
"Well, I don't know about you, but I still feel that way....."
"Me too...."
My heart raced. We agreed that if this was "meant to be" we needed not to rush into it. He was coming out of a relationship and needed some time to reestablish himself. We agreed to wait and see what would happen when I got on land.
Of course the rest of the contract HE was all I could think about. Often when we were in ports I would bring my discman with me and walk the landscape. Blossom was definitely my artist of choice. As I looked over the ocean and listened to her sing I imagined a "fairytale" life with James. I know all this sounds a bit dramatic. I was literally looking out at a sunset hearing her sing SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME picturing us playing house. We had never been out on a date, never kissed, yet I knew we fit together SO well.
The last couple weeks of the contract seemed to drag on. As I got off the plane back to civilization, I was greeted by a wonderful group of friends. They all got huge hugs and I was so touched they came to see me. Yet, all I could focus on was the beaming smile of my wonderful Gentleman Friend.
After a little hesitation (I was nervous and didn't want to ruin a wonderful friendship) we agreed we wanted to give this a try. We took everything very slow. It was an old fashioned courtship (I AM originally from the midwest after all!)
I realize now, five years into the relationship, that our romance is very unique. We really don't fight. I think this is because of the genuine respect we have for one another. We literally can't bare to hurt the other's feelings. We love the same movies, same music, same TV shows. We both treasure our families... which has became "our family!" We "just FIT." He truly is my Prince Charming... I can see in his eyes that I am the most important thing in life to him... and the feeling couldn't be more mutual. Each and everyday I can't wait to be with him. He truly is my partner for life.
A couple years ago I went with James to NY for the first time. I saw my first Broadway show THE DROWSY CHAPERONE!, heard Tierney Sutton singing great jazz at The Birdland, and basically fell in love with the amazing city of New York. The thing I was MOST looking forward to was actually seeing Blossom Dearie in concert with James!!!
I had heard that she performed off and on in a little venue in the back of a Sea Palace restaurant called Danny's Skylight Room (which has since closed.) As soon as we started planning the trip I made sure she was performing.
It was open seating so we got there ridiculously early. There was a lady selling cd's on a little table. I browsed through the selection. I already had all but one, which I of course immediately purchased. We chatted with her a little and sat down at the bar waiting for the back room to open. I was telling the lady that we were visiting from Florida. Behind me I hear a soft girlish voice ask... "You came ALL the way from Florida?" I turned around and standing before me was Miss Blossom Dearie. No complete sentence came from mouth. I believe somehow I got out the phrases "huge inspiration" "wonderful" "you don't know how much this means..." etc. She was very gracious and told her friend at the cd table, "Make sure these guys get a free cd for coming all the way from Florida. " I managed to get out "Thank you SO much." She told us that she hoped we enjoyed the show and to say goodnight to her before we left for the evening. I picked out "Blossom Dearie sings Comden and Green" as our free cd. We already had the album, but it WAS my favorite cd of hers, and this copy was FROM Blossom.
The concert was wonderful (we had very nice seats... well worth the wait!) She forgot a few lyrics but made adorable jokes over them. She told us how much her dog liked "Surrey With The Fringe on Top." As she ended the song we heard little dog yelps made by the sound man in the back of the room. She was just as lovely as I had hoped she would be.
At the end of the concert she said she would be signing cd's and chatting as we all left for the evening. She said that if we wanted a picture... we could do it, but please without a flash because flashes hurt her eyes. We waited towards the end of the line. When we finally made it to her, I thanked her again for the cd. I told her that this was a very special night for us because her music was such an important part of our lives. She provided the soundtrack for our courtship. She told us "that is very nice to hear." I had brought an LP of her first album which she signed "For Michael and James." We took a picture with her. It didn't turn out very well due to no flash, but this was one of those moments where I have a wonderful memory of the whole night in my head... a lovely mental kodak valentine. We have her a hug and headed out into the cool New York night. The evening ended with a beautiful carriage ride in Time Square. It was one of those nights were all is right in the world and you feel so blessed to be alive.
There are so many times when words are not enough to express how I feel about James. It is really nice to be able to turn to music for a deeper expression of my love. Those same songs about the "hope of love" that I first heard Blossom sing have taken on a whole new meaning. With James I have truly "found my way." Thank you Blossom for being our little musical tour guide along the way.
BLOSSOM DEARIE
(1926 - 2009)
Click on this link to find a mix of some of my favorite Blossom recordings.
