Interesting in that songs of that era didn't usually feature a woman hittin' the road leaving her family. Originally, the song was sung by a dude and some of the lyrics were altered to make them more gender-agreeable.

IMHO, Mama 'Ree puts this tune to bed on her album Let Me In Your Life. When she sings it, you know it's a funeral for whatever is left of the relationship.

Karr had probably performed this song a zillion times by the time this video was made. When she first started doing the song, the tears would flow like Niagara. I remember '60s mascara running down her face.

Never could figure out how she could stay in voice and cry like that. The throat constricts when you cry.

Some people were turned off by the tears, because it is sort of the singers' code of ethics not to cry. As some say, if it's a sad, moving number, it should be the audience that cries - not the performer. I think most people saw it as just a kind of sweet moment of fragility (plus, she kept her voice the whole time).

She was much funnier on Carol Burnett ;-P

How could I have never heard of her? She's like some glorious emulsion of Shirley Bassey and Connie Francis.

Happy Birthday to Dan! I came to love Vikki Carr from the Savage Love Live radio show about 15 years ago and I've loved her since then.

@3, oh, Gus, Connie Francis? That's almost as bad as Teresa Brewer.

I just had a thing for Doris Day. She had such a soothing voice. Patsy Cline, too. Patty Paige, Rosemary Clooney were right up there.

What's the problem? The first sob singing I ever heard was Connie - for better or worse, whenever you strike up the strings and cry at me I'll think of her.

I forgot the great Ella Fitzgerald who I saw at The Nob Hill. Voice like vanilla ice cream!

Vince, again with my kneejerk reaction - you say "Ella Fitzgerald", I think aaaaah. But you say "vanilla ice cream", I think Barbara Cook!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZf6oQeqS…

@8, you saw Ella? Me so jealous. Greatest jazz singer ever.

Fnarf- I saw Betty Carter at The Great American Music Hall. And I saw Oscar Peterson at The Nob Hill, too! My boyfriend at the time was a big name in music.

@1 Karr is Carr. Derived from Cardona. home girl had to be whited up back then. Rosemead HS alum, go panthers!

Bob Mackie too! go panthers!

@9 Gus- loved the clip!

12: Oops. Got carried away with the Ks.

As an adjunct to Ms. Carr's voice, I wholeheartedly suggest looking up and listening to Julie London, another set of shamefully forgotten pipes.
(And in an aside for the truly ancient among us, it's Nurse Julie from Emergency! )

Happy Birthday to Dan you have great taste in music!

Thanks to your friend for sharing this with us!

Just a fact: This tune featured also was a nominated Grammy song! I had to look this up and Vikki had the highest chart action with this tune on Billboard and Cashbox.

She must be doing something right Four Grammys so far! And I just read on Vikki's facebook page she is recording a new CD.