At Last

Etta James died today. Her signature song was a Harry Warren and Mack Gordon tune written for the 1941 Glenn Miller movie "Orchestra Wives." The string of Warren/Gordon songs is incredible. Warren also teamed up with Al Dubin and produced scores of hits as well.

Here is the original version, performed in the movie by Ray Eberle and Lynn Bari. And that trumpet solo is NOT the actor George Montgomery, but the late great Billy May (not the ad man) who went on to be an arranger and lead his own orchestra.

Not surprising, I actually like the earlier version better. But over the years, Etta made the song her own and brought it to generations of new listeners. I think I read some place it was the most played songs at weddings. Not sure how someone figured that out.

Here's Etta, with a live performance.