Telescoping Peter just cheered up my Saturday (don’t ask) by posting a lovely Humphrey Lyttelton version of the Glory of Love from 1955. It’s a well covered song, and I find it fascinating how different the many versions are. Inspired by Peter, here is a wee collection of my favourites. (Sorry in advance about the ads … fact of life on Yew Toob these days)
(1) The version that I think was first, by Benny Goodman in 1936
(2) Next up, the bluesman version – good old Big Bill Broonzy from nineteen forty something. Love this.
(3) Now, the jazz fan collectors item : Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee. On the same TV screen. At the same time.
(4) Next, the soul version : Otis Redding 1967
(5) Now, the hippy hero version : John Martyn, 1974
(6) Kool Dude version : Keb Mo 1997
(7) Paul McCartney, 2012. A bit on the corny side, but you can’t not have Macca.
There’s more, but mostly a tad on the soupy side and not to my taste. There is also a rather dull song with the same name by ex-Chicago chappy Peter Cetera. Don’t bother.
For my money, its Big Bill number 1 by head and shoulders; then Goodman, then Martyn, then probably the Humpty Dumpty version.
Two of the links didn’t work for me (Redding and Keb Mo) but the rest are fun. My vote would be Big Bill then Benny. Oh no I just realised we agree…