Constance Foore "Connee" Boswe… Read Full Bio ↴From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Constance Foore "Connee" Boswell (December 3, 1907 - October 11, 1976) was an American female vocalist born in Kansas City, Missouri but raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. With her sisters, Martha and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell, she performed in the 1930s as The Boswell Sisters and became a highly influential singing group during this period via recordings and radio. Connee herself is widely considered one of the greatest jazz female vocalists and was a major influence on Ella Fitzgerald who said, "My mother brought home one of her records, and I fell in love with it....I tried so hard to sound just like her."[1]
In 1936, Connee's sisters retired and Connee continued on as a solo artist (having also recorded solos during her years with the group).
The Boswells came to be well known locally while still in their early teens, making appearances in New Orleans theaters and radio. They made their first recordings for Victor Records in 1925, which included "Cryin' Blues" where Connee is featured singing in the style of her early influence, the African American singer Mamie Smith. The Boswell Sisters became stage professionals that year when they were tapped to fill in for an act at New Orleans' Orpheum Theatre. They received an invitation to come to Chicago and perform in 1928 and honed their act on the Western Vaudeville Circuit. When their tour ended they traveled to San Francisco. The hotel that had been recommended had a less than savory reputation, and the man at the desk suggested that these three young ladies might be better off in another hotel. That man, Harry Leedy, would later become their manager on a handshake and become a permanent part of Connee's life.
The Boswell Sisters travelled to Los Angeles where they performed on local radio and "side-miked" for the soundies, including the 1930 production "Under Montana Skies." did not attain national attention, however, until they moved to New York City in 1930 and started making national radio broadcasts. After a few recordings with Okeh Records, they made numerous recordings for Brunswick Records from 1931-1935. In 1935, the sisters had a #1 hit with "The Object of My Affection", the biggest of twenty top 20 records they would enjoy.
In 1936, the group signed to Decca Records and after just three releases called it quits (the last recording was February 12, 1936). Connee Boswell continued to have a successful solo career as a singer for Decca.
All through her career with The Boswell Sisters, and well into the 1940s, her name was spelt "Connie". She later changed the spelling to Connee, reputedly because it made it easier to sign autographs.
Connee Boswell was also an arranger (the legendary Boswell Sisters harmony arrangements are hers) and a composer.
Connee sang from a wheelchair - or seated position - during her entire career, due to either a childhood bout with polio or a childhood accident (sources differ). The general public was not aware of her condition although Boswell herself did not keep this secret. During World War II, she tried to get involved with the U.S.O. tours but was not given permission to travel overseas. The "powers that be" apparently thought it might not be a morale-booster to have a "cripple" perform for the troops.
Connee Boswell was a favorite duet partner of Bing Crosby and they frequently sang together on radio as well as recording several hit records as a duo in the 1930s and 1940's. Boswell, Crosby, and Eddie Cantor recorded a version of Alexander's Ragtime Band that was a #1 hit in 1938.In 1939, Crosby and Boswell had three hit duet records that each climbed into the top 12 on Billboard; "An Apple For The Teacher" climbed all the way to #2.
Connee Boswell also had several dozen solo hits, including "Moonlight Moon" in 1942. Boswell's career slackened in the 1950s but she still recorded occasionally and would be featured on a number of television broadcasts including a regular stint on the 1959 series "Pete Kelly's Blues".
Connee Boswell died at age 68 in 1976. A number of her recordings are now available on CD, both as a soloist and part of the Boswell Sisters.
Blueberry Hill
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Blueberry Hill where I found you
The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill
And lingered till my dreams came true
The wind in the willow played
Love's sweet melody
But all of those vows we made
Tho' we're apart you're part of me still
For you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
The wind in the willow played
Love's sweet melody
But all of those vows we made
Were never to be
Tho' we're apart you're part of me still
For you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
The lyrics of "Blueberry Hill" by Connee Boswell tell the story of how the singer found joy and happiness on the titular Blueberry Hill. The song speaks to the magical quality of finding a special place that holds precious memories of a lost love. The opening line, "I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer reminisces about how they found their former lover on this hill, where the moon stood still and lingered until their dreams came true. The promise of love is symbolized in this setting, where everything is just right.
The second verse contains lyrics that describe the bittersweet nature of relationships. The wind in the willow played love's sweet melody, a metaphor for the way that love can be beautiful and peaceful - but all of the promises they made were never to be. Despite not being together anymore, the singer still holds a special place in their heart for their former lover, who was their "thrill on Blueberry Hill." The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing the power of that special place to hold treasured memories.
Line by Line Meaning
I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill
Blueberry Hill is where I found excitement and joy
On Blueberry Hill where I found you
I found you on Blueberry Hill, the place where I found excitement and joy
The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill
The moon seemed to stop moving while I was on Blueberry Hill
And lingered till my dreams came true
The moon stayed until my wishes were fulfilled
The wind in the willow played Love's sweet melody
The willow tree sang a beautiful love song in the wind
But all of those vows we made Were never to be
Unfortunately, none of the promises we made to each other came true
Tho' we're apart you're part of me still
Even though we're not together, you will always be a part of me
For you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
You were the reason I found joy and excitement on Blueberry Hill
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Lewis, Larry Stock, Vincent Rose
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Baden
Uhhh...definitely NOT Connie Boswell.
paperboxcutter
Connie Bosswell?