Do I have to choose a version? Nat King Cole, Willie Nelson, and especially Mel Torme’s version. Some say he was the “Velvet Fog” but his voice and his inflection was perfect for Stardust.
One relevant memory: I was in London several years ago and I passed by a street saxophonist. I put £5 in his case for Stardust. I can still hear it.
I listened to the Willie Nelson version because Ed and Dave recommended it, and I listened to the Frank Sinatra version because, well, Frank being Frank, I knew it would be good. Despite this, however, for me, nobody can beat Nat King Cole. The timber of his sublime voice is perfect for this song. It never gets old! As always, thank you for a great pick:)
1992, I got my first CD player for Christmas. I was 13 years old. I had just become a huge Connick fan after seeing him live on his Blue Light Red Light Tour seven months earlier. The album "25" was his first release after I had joined the fan club, so I was really looking forward to it. The BLRL show, with the whole Orchestra and the Fast swing and the great showmanship anchored my expectations way too high.
I recall peeling the plastic off the new CD case, and popping it in. Track 1 was Stardust, a song which I had never heard before. It was slow—six minutes long, and heavy at times on Harry's signature crooning. But, I had just become a huge Connick Fan, so I gave it a chance. But, Track 2 didn't do it for me either. Fortunately, there were a few tracks "On the Street Where You Live", "Tangerine", and "Lazybones" that kept me from jettisoning the album. This let me come back to Stardust which eventually grew on me. I now find it enchanting.
Connick said in his album notes that it was a difficult piece to arrange and I still find his too slow. Goodman's is amazing. Hoagy's own, I love, too.
I love the Nat King Cole version, but I have to admit that I first loved it in the 1993 film Sleepless in Seattle. Lots of good old music in that movie, along with a good old movie in that movie.
Do I have to choose a version? Nat King Cole, Willie Nelson, and especially Mel Torme’s version. Some say he was the “Velvet Fog” but his voice and his inflection was perfect for Stardust.
One relevant memory: I was in London several years ago and I passed by a street saxophonist. I put £5 in his case for Stardust. I can still hear it.
Just proves that a good song stands the test of time.
The title alone is captivating.
I listened to the Willie Nelson version because Ed and Dave recommended it, and I listened to the Frank Sinatra version because, well, Frank being Frank, I knew it would be good. Despite this, however, for me, nobody can beat Nat King Cole. The timber of his sublime voice is perfect for this song. It never gets old! As always, thank you for a great pick:)
Another vote for Nat King Cole's version.
And, Debra, stardust in my eyes as well.
Can popular music possibly get any better than this?
I would have chosen Nat King Cole’s recording too!
Willie for the save. Amazing album. My wife and I claim this as our Song.
Willie Nelson’s rendition is my favorite.
Connick's was a kind of initiation for me.
1992, I got my first CD player for Christmas. I was 13 years old. I had just become a huge Connick fan after seeing him live on his Blue Light Red Light Tour seven months earlier. The album "25" was his first release after I had joined the fan club, so I was really looking forward to it. The BLRL show, with the whole Orchestra and the Fast swing and the great showmanship anchored my expectations way too high.
I recall peeling the plastic off the new CD case, and popping it in. Track 1 was Stardust, a song which I had never heard before. It was slow—six minutes long, and heavy at times on Harry's signature crooning. But, I had just become a huge Connick Fan, so I gave it a chance. But, Track 2 didn't do it for me either. Fortunately, there were a few tracks "On the Street Where You Live", "Tangerine", and "Lazybones" that kept me from jettisoning the album. This let me come back to Stardust which eventually grew on me. I now find it enchanting.
Connick said in his album notes that it was a difficult piece to arrange and I still find his too slow. Goodman's is amazing. Hoagy's own, I love, too.
Thanks for the post!
I love the Nat King Cole version, but I have to admit that I first loved it in the 1993 film Sleepless in Seattle. Lots of good old music in that movie, along with a good old movie in that movie.
Nat King Cole's from the 50s.