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.
Sweet Sue
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knows the one I love:
Sweet Sue, just you!
And the moon on high
Knows the reason why:
Sweet Sue, is you!
Ever shared my dreams,
Without you I don't know what I'd do.
In this heart of mine,
You live all the time,
Ooh, Sue, just you!
The lyrics to Sweet Sue Just You by Connee Boswell depict a deep admiration and love for a person named Sue. The singer of the song believes that even the stars and the moon can sense how special Sue is to them. It expresses that Sue is the only one who can fill the dreams of the singer's heart and without Sue, the singer would be lost. The words "in this heart of mine, you live all the time" suggest that the singer is dedicated to Sue and that her presence is precious to them. The lyrics also feature poetic references to the celestial bodies, adding an element of romanticism to the song's overall vibe.
Line by Line Meaning
Every star above
The celestial bodies of the night sky are aware of the person I hold dear
Knows the one I love:
These stars are cognizant of my affection for this individual
Sweet Sue, just you!
The one I am enamored with is Sweet Sue and only her, nobody else
And the moon on high
The Earth's natural satellite, present in the heavens, is likewise informed
Knows the reason why:
The moon understands the explanation or purpose behind my emotions
Sweet Sue, is you!
Sweet Sue is the cause of my feelings, and the moon acknowledges this fact
No one else it seems,
I do not detect any other person who could be a substitute
Ever shared my dreams,
None has ever shared my aspirations or plans for the future
Without you I don't know what I'd do.
My life would be incomplete or imbalanced without your presence and influence
In this heart of mine,
My feelings of love arise from my inner being or emotions
You live all the time,
You reside in my heart without cessation and persistently
Ooh, Sue, just you!
The one who prompts these feelings is Sweet Sue and solely her, nobody else
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: VICTOR YOUNG, WILL HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
illbebad
Wow, thanks for this upload! I was looking for the Bing Crosby version, and up popped my favorite singer of all time! :)
phredl
Even more interesting than Connie's vocal is the superb cornet solo by Andy Secrest Obviously a tribute to Bix.