After Clint Eastwood picked a song off her solo debut album for the soundtrack of Play Misty For Me in 1972, and it rose to become a Number 1 hit, Robert Flack followed it up with this song on her next album, and exploded into chart-dominating existence in 1973. Nearly 50 years later, it still drips with a monstrous amount of raw talent, brilliance, and timeless beauty. (And sorry, youngsters, but the Fugees' middling cover is a pale, pale imitation of the original.) I picked this out way back last June, so it has nothing to do with what's going on now. It's just absolutely awesome, and every time I hear it, it's as if it was brand new yesterday. This is what it's like when a singer and a song slam into each other like plutonium reaching critical mass. Hearing it sung once by someone this good explains better than Simon Cowell ever could why most people should stay in school and keep their day jobs.
And it keeps killing me, softly.
13 comments:
I'll take your word on the lack of convergence, Brother and enjoy a great one from times passed. Lots of memories with this one; all good in their own way.
Boat Guy
Inspired by "Vincent" by Don McLean.
I love 'Compared to What' by Roberta Flack; awesome song
Great choice, but imagine how much better it would've been if Jaco had played the bass.
Or me.
@-nonymous(9:06am)
I was going to ask *WHO* (what song?) Roberta was referring to...Don McLean's "Vincent"?? Really? (but...kinda' before my time...)
And because i was more familiar with the Fugee's version, at first i was surprised to NOT hear their version's melody/beat cutting in...and then constantly hearing it in my head further toward the end of the song...
so, after a little youtube musical sampling i came across Judy Collins' "send in the clowns" which *as a song* doesn't really fit the Kung Flu soundtrack, although the title surely does!
(Gives me flack for using notecards, BUT picks out songs a year in advance)
:)
But the list only took me about 20 minutes one morning.
Dear Sir,
If I could share my own history and qualifications, I know I could catch-- at least momentarily-- your cynical eye contact and attention.
I just wanted to say how very much you give voice in this present reality to my own assessment of circumstances, medical and otherwise.
You must often be exhausted, and yet help us get our heads around the reality of this pestilence that's slipping in under our doors.
Your wisdom is much appreciated. Keep up the great work in the months ahead.
Thank you, sir.
the ... Fugees' middling cover is a pale, pale imitation of the original.
I think you are being too kind to them , but you are a nice guy like that. I find their version actively annoying. Roberta didn't need their help, they should sit down and shut up while Adults are making music.
Thanks for another great pick Aesop.
This is actually a song I consider having discovered twice; once on AM radio (there wasn't any other kind where I was) growing up and again when I heard it on a proper stereo system years later.
A fiasco in the making? As the coronavirus pandemic takes hold, we are making decisions without reliable data
https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/17/a-fiasco-in-the-making-as-the-coronavirus-pandemic-takes-hold-we-are-making-decisions-without-reliable-data/
@ Malcolm +nonymous(1:24pm)
i shouldn't have to tell you this, but you *should* limit your comments on *THIS* thread to music related opinions - specifically connected somehow to Roberta Flack's "killing me softly" etc...
perhaps you posted Kung Flu comments here by accident? and it appears during this unprecedented moment in world history, certainly there are more imminent concerns than whether or not you posted your comments into the correct threads?
Another great pick Aesop. You and I could probably get along alright.
Oddly enough I've been listening to this song a lot lately. As an old guy trying to teach myself guitar I happened across the chords and lyrics for this song one day on YT and I was able to finally learn the chord pattern and play along. Very novice for sure, but I've got my daughter singing along with me strumming and it sounds pretty cool. To me at least. Of course we'll never be Ms. Flack and her band, but hell it's fun to do especially in this crazy time of our lives.
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