Kenny Rankin was a musical genius on so many levels, from his compositions to his arrangements to the crystal pure quality of his voice. I am continually reminded of his mastery in so many ways, but for sure his ability to rhythmically stylize the folk-pop idiom amazes me. There are no other singers from this time and genre who so skillfully and expressively use the kind of rhythmic phrasing he does. a generation before, it was taken for granted that a jazz singer or a crooner would shape the rhythm of a melodic phrase, but in Kenny's generation so few had his ability to do this so naturally. What beauty he left us!
Saw him live at the Baked Potato in LA. He mingled incognito with the audience outside before the show and asked if anyone knew who this Kenny Rankin guy was. No one recognized him. When he came out on the small stage, everyone just cracked up. Then he started singing and no one there would ever forget who he was or what a great singer and entertainer they had just had the pleasure of experiencing. I feel sad that he never really got the amount of recognition that he deserved. He was a one of a kind artist that will be with us always through his gift of music. Thanks for sharing your journey with us Kenny. You are sorely missed.
Yes Jon. A real master musician, expert guitarist. Not sure if you saw this before, but his talents and humble personality come through in this jazz TV show he did: ruclips.net/video/5oyCuktbjO4/видео.html
Back in the '70s Dinah Shore hosted a show on PBS where she introduced Kenny as "one of the great young interpreters of music" or words to that effect. I first heard Kenny on KOGO San Diego. Never saw him in person, but he's still a fave of mine.
@@davidcrocker7976 Thanks for sharing that great 'Dinah Shore loved him" anecdote, David Crocker. And thanks to Jon D. Elder for the evocative recollection triggering David's thoughts -- Jon's remembering how Kenny mixed "incognito with the [L.A.] audience before the show, asking if anyone knew who this Kenny Rankin guy was." Love it.
im 35 and fortunately for me my father introduced me to Kenny Rankin when I was a toddler and i got to grow up listenening to him throughout my life! What a great jazz song interpreter. Got to see him play acoustic at a little coffee shop in NYC shortly before he passed! #blessed
Saw Kenny Rankin at a dinner theatre in San Francisco in 1984 or 1985 with my wife and friends, Liz and Sam. Had been listening to him since 1974. He is sorely missed.
This entire album is so musical. Such a pure voice. Such exquisite guitar playing. Such pure arrangements that support and elegantly dress up the songs. A true original. Kenny should have been on the general level of CSNY, James Taylor, and Cat Stevens while he was alive. I mean he was on that level of talent. His jazz vocal phrasing over pop tunes was unique. Even Paul McCartney preferred Kenny's version of Blackbird to his own version. High praise indeed. No one interpreted Beatles songs better than him. RIP Kenny - hopefully there will be a resurgence of interest in his artistry.
He used to joke in his shows that he went from relatively unknown to somewhat obscure. In my days in radio I lobbied to have our Seattle station welcome him to Jazz Alley and then got to emcee 2 of his shows in the mid 2000's. What a dream come true, years after I first played his albums on my college radio station. It was a tragedy when we lost Kenny. Meeting him was a lovely experience.
I was listening Michael Franks and my friend came up to me and ask: Hey, Robert, do you know, Kenny Rankin … 1978-79 doing Taxi back then, I made my soft jazz (4 tracks cassettes) it was easy ex; Best of ... or my Mix.Tapes etc. knowing that some peoples, including me, like it so thank you very much I was 18 years old (today, 61) so keep on Kenny it's so hard to find the real LP songs here in Montréal, Québec 😎🤔😘
I may have told this story before... we were in Temecula...i don't know the year but it was after 2000.walk into Wilson Creek Winery... almond sparkle wine..there was this beautiful man . Mr Osbourne it still is a top experience of my life. Always & 4 ever fan
I had the pleasure of meeting Kenny a couple of times. One time was at a "Lakers" game before he performed the National Anthem. He was not only a great singer and performer, but he was a very nice man as well. I saw him a ton of times over the years and "ALL" of his performances were top notch!!
How in the world could I have not heard this man's talent until 2017??? What a gift! Thank goodness for RUclips or I man have never been blessed with his artistry. What a treasure!i regret I never got to hear him perform live. I prefer his rendition of this song over Stephen Bishop's (no disrespect to Mr. Bishop intended).
Rhonda Hall never to late to appreciate beauty. Indeed his artistry is incredible. Pass on his music to friends who may have overlooked this great artist
same here...I listened to a 70s interview with Art Garfunkel on YT. When asked who he was digging, replied Keeny Rankin. Who? Wow--- what a blessing. This song is amazing, what feel he had.
"Puts on Sinatra and he starts to cry -- on and on . . . " From the song by Stephen Bishop -- Kenny Rankin's version was the best, you may agree. Love when he sings the words : Lonesome Jimmy sits alone in the moonlight Saw his woman kiss another man So he takes a ladder -- steals the stars from the sky Puts on Sinatra and he starts to cry .... Celebrated elsewhere this day [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
this album is in my collection. I still perform this song, this version at gigs. it mesmerizes the audience. people say Stephen Bishop, I say Kenny Rankin. they look at me like what?
Diddo. I just found him after some years search as well. Haven't heard Kenny's voice for over 30 or more years. A few years or so ago. I remembered seeing and hearing sing on The Tonight show with Johnny Carson way back as a young man. So did search for jazz singers on 'The Tonight Show' in 1970's" - and "Voilà!"...seventh search listing down! There's that name that I could not remember for the life of me, now staring me in the face. Entered it in RUclips and again, "Voilà!" Now listening to that silky smooth lilting voice of Kenny's.
I got to see him once too. I've been a huge fan. on my page, you'll find my version of "when sunny get's blue". (which he does on this same album he did with the great Don Costa who had done many of Sinatra's sessions) I did it spur of the moment because I'd come across something that reminded me of his untimely death. I mean really, my room was a mess, I still had bedhead but I felt it. If you listen to hit please forgive the clunker in the bridge. I had worked hard on coming up with a great transition then miss-fingered one string by a fret. Och! I don't hold a candle to his voice, which I see as one of the 3 greatest male voices I've ever heard, but I was thinking of Kenny when I did it. I don't know how to rank my top 3. Frank Sinatra was that warm baritone voice who was the best storyteller as a singer that ever lived and I learned phrasing melodies away from the downbeat from him. Vince Gill and Kenny Ranking are the greatest pure tone tenors I've ever heard. Quality voices that can zero in on held notes and make them ring without the slightest hint of vibrato. It takes great musicianship to nail the pitch like that and hold it in a pure tone link that. How do can we get Kenny's view count up? Every song he ever did has examples of that. Plus in every cover, he does a total rewrite of the melody in at least one phrase just to remind you he is a real jazz singer. He does in here at 2:36. Which reminds me, I do a version of "while my guitar gently weeps" that is based on Kenny's arrangement of the song, which is also on this recording. I haven't recorded it yet. Maybe If I can get warmed up I'll do it tonight.
Down in Jamaica They got lots of pretty women Steal your money Then they break your heart Lonesome Sue She's in love with ol' Sam Take him from the fire Into the frying pan On and on She just keeps on trying And she smiles when She feels like crying On and on On and on On and on Poor ol' Jimmy Sits alone in the moonlight Saw his woman Kiss another man So he takes a ladder Steals the stars from the sky Puts on Sinatra and Starts to cry On and on He just keeps on trying And he smiles when He feels like crying On and on On and on On and on When the first time Is the last time It can make you feel so bad But if you know it, show it Hold on tight Don't let her say goodnight Got the sun on my shoulders And…
Kenneth's talent was unsurpassed I guess the genius vocals are outstanding as always great guitar player a lot of people don't realize that but Kenny could play one h*** of a guitar miss him I didn't realize that he passed away a few years ago I looked him up and
I was honored to be his friend and at times his representative; a remarkable talent, God reached down and touched him, and as he often generously stated, his felt his talent belonged to his audience not to him. Allen Hyman
I've always loved Kenny Ramkin, I grew up in the Philippines listening to him through my older brothers. I love his voice and his music. I wish I was able to see him perform but never did. He will always be one of the great ones for me.
IT IS INDEED!!!!!!! THEY DID NOT PLAY IT FOR LONG, AND THEN AFTER STEPHEN BISHOP SANG IT THEY COMPLETELY STOPPED PLAYING IT ....LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG!
Yes, I feel sorry for the millennials too because they really do have schlocky vapid music. And it's so superficial and meaningless. Except for the latin stuff!
Kenny Rankin was a musical genius on so many levels, from his compositions to his arrangements to the crystal pure quality of his voice. I am continually reminded of his mastery in so many ways, but for sure his ability to rhythmically stylize the folk-pop idiom amazes me. There are no other singers from this time and genre who so skillfully and expressively use the kind of rhythmic phrasing he does. a generation before, it was taken for granted that a jazz singer or a crooner would shape the rhythm of a melodic phrase, but in Kenny's generation so few had his ability to do this so naturally. What beauty he left us!
Saw him live at the Baked Potato in LA. He mingled incognito with the audience outside before the show and asked if anyone knew who this Kenny Rankin guy was. No one recognized him. When he came out on the small stage, everyone just cracked up. Then he started singing and no one there would ever forget who he was or what a great singer and entertainer they had just had the pleasure of experiencing. I feel sad that he never really got the amount of recognition that he deserved. He was a one of a kind artist that will be with us always through his gift of music. Thanks for sharing your journey with us Kenny. You are sorely missed.
Yes Jon. A real master musician, expert guitarist. Not sure if you saw this before, but his talents and humble personality come through in this jazz TV show he did: ruclips.net/video/5oyCuktbjO4/видео.html
Nice kind of jazz music.
Kenny rankin
Back in the '70s Dinah Shore hosted a show on PBS where she introduced Kenny as "one of the great young interpreters of music" or words to that effect. I first heard Kenny on KOGO San Diego. Never saw him in person, but he's still a fave of mine.
@@davidcrocker7976 Thanks for sharing that great 'Dinah Shore loved him" anecdote, David Crocker. And thanks to Jon D. Elder for the evocative recollection triggering David's thoughts -- Jon's remembering how Kenny mixed "incognito with the [L.A.] audience before the show, asking if anyone knew who this Kenny Rankin guy was." Love it.
I am now 64 . Kenny and his music defined my youth and the love of Jazz.
im 35 and fortunately for me my father introduced me to Kenny Rankin when I was a toddler and i got to grow up listenening to him
throughout my life! What a great jazz song interpreter. Got to see him play acoustic at a little coffee shop in NYC shortly before he passed! #blessed
Me too 64...saw him at Soldier 's & Sailor's in Pittsburgh...my favorite is creepin...but recently heard Luther 's it's damn good.
After 44 years of listening to this song, I still find myself swaying to the music!
me too
Saw Kenny Rankin at a dinner theatre in San Francisco in 1984 or 1985 with my wife and friends, Liz and Sam. Had been listening to him since 1974. He is sorely missed.
Kenny Rankin was such a soulful, mellow dude. His voice is classic!
This entire album is so musical. Such a pure voice. Such exquisite guitar playing. Such pure arrangements that support and elegantly dress up the songs. A true original. Kenny should have been on the general level of CSNY, James Taylor, and Cat Stevens while he was alive. I mean he was on that level of talent. His jazz vocal phrasing over pop tunes was unique. Even Paul McCartney preferred Kenny's version of Blackbird to his own version. High praise indeed. No one interpreted Beatles songs better than him. RIP Kenny - hopefully there will be a resurgence of interest in his artistry.
He used to joke in his shows that he went from relatively unknown to somewhat obscure. In my days in radio I lobbied to have our Seattle station welcome him to Jazz Alley and then got to emcee 2 of his shows in the mid 2000's. What a dream come true, years after I first played his albums on my college radio station. It was a tragedy when we lost Kenny. Meeting him was a lovely experience.
I was listening Michael Franks and my friend came up to me and ask: Hey, Robert, do you know, Kenny Rankin … 1978-79 doing Taxi back then, I made my soft jazz (4 tracks cassettes) it was easy ex; Best of ... or my Mix.Tapes etc. knowing that some peoples, including me, like it so thank you very much I was 18 years old (today, 61) so keep on Kenny it's so hard to find the real LP songs here in Montréal, Québec 😎🤔😘
Best version of this song, hands down.
i agree
One of my all time favorite songs and it just blows away Stephen Bishops version!
He was something else. A man with exquisite talent.
I love the voice of Kenny Rankin. He has the coolest voice of all.
I may have told this story before... we were in Temecula...i don't know the year but it was after 2000.walk into Wilson Creek Winery... almond sparkle wine..there was this beautiful man . Mr Osbourne it still is a top experience of my life. Always & 4 ever fan
Absolutely Love Kenny saw him at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach California back in the day ❤
I had the pleasure of meeting Kenny a couple of times. One time was at a "Lakers" game before he performed the National Anthem. He was not only a great singer and performer, but he was a very nice man as well. I saw him a ton of times over the years and "ALL" of his performances were top notch!!
2020 listening to this while remembering my dad. Leaves me teary eyed. Thank you for this music.
My mom showed me dis from a lil girl she passed to young😥 jus turned 56
How in the world could I have not heard this man's talent until 2017??? What a gift! Thank goodness for RUclips or I man have never been blessed with his artistry. What a treasure!i regret I never got to hear him perform live. I prefer his rendition of this song over Stephen Bishop's (no disrespect to Mr. Bishop intended).
Rhonda Hall never to late to appreciate beauty. Indeed his artistry is incredible. Pass on his music to friends who may have overlooked this great artist
He is with the almighty now
same here...I listened to a 70s interview with Art Garfunkel on YT. When asked who he was digging, replied Keeny Rankin. Who? Wow--- what a blessing. This song is amazing, what feel he had.
Kenny was amazing saw him over 20 times nicest guy real New Yorker
You were a year earlier than me Rhonda. It's like sonic opium.
Amazing voice... I saw him live at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, MN, in the mid 1908's and he was amazing... incredible talent and voice!
The mid 1980's?
...WOW.....THOSE COLLEGE DAYS......LOVED THIS SONG ON A SUNDAY NIGHT WHEN "THE NIGHT BIRD" PLAYED IT.....
Alison Steele. What a talent.
I remember 45 years ago in the 70s, Kenny Rankin singing this song in a Filipino Lunch Variety Show. I was like 6-8 years old, lol!
"Puts on Sinatra and he starts to cry -- on and on . . . " From the song by Stephen Bishop -- Kenny Rankin's version was the best, you may agree. Love when he sings the words :
Lonesome Jimmy sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder -- steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and he starts to cry ....
Celebrated elsewhere this day [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
Miss this gentle form of music... no screaming... like a smooth cool breeze...
this album is in my collection. I still perform this song, this version at gigs. it mesmerizes the audience. people say Stephen Bishop, I say Kenny Rankin. they look at me like what?
I saw him in San Francisco and in New Hope PA he takes your heart and then gives it back after the show!!!
I have looked for his voice for 30years!
Diddo.
I just found him after some years search as well.
Haven't heard Kenny's voice for over 30 or more years.
A few years or so ago. I remembered seeing and hearing sing on The Tonight show with Johnny Carson way back as a young man.
So did search for jazz singers on 'The Tonight Show' in 1970's" - and "Voilà!"...seventh search listing down!
There's that name that I could not remember for the life of me, now staring me in the face. Entered it in RUclips and again, "Voilà!"
Now listening to that silky smooth lilting voice of Kenny's.
@@sclm55 Yes.That is "Voila!"of our lives.
His velbet voice smooth our hard days and nights.
check out his TV concert: ruclips.net/video/5oyCuktbjO4/видео.html
@@dbmbrian2166 Thank you for your information. Whats a hadsome old guy he is!
Loving Kenny Rankin songs n music Ames my day go moothe
Saw him three times in ‘75/‘76. Best was at The Troubadour. A remarkable, singular talent.
simply beautiful i was so lucky to see him live in nyc - he was great to talk with him - i revere his music so much - i so miss his work
I got to see him once too. I've been a huge fan. on my page, you'll find my version of "when sunny get's blue". (which he does on this same album he did with the great Don Costa who had done many of Sinatra's sessions) I did it spur of the moment because I'd come across something that reminded me of his untimely death. I mean really, my room was a mess, I still had bedhead but I felt it. If you listen to hit please forgive the clunker in the bridge. I had worked hard on coming up with a great transition then miss-fingered one string by a fret. Och!
I don't hold a candle to his voice, which I see as one of the 3 greatest male voices I've ever heard, but I was thinking of Kenny when I did it.
I don't know how to rank my top 3. Frank Sinatra was that warm baritone voice who was the best storyteller as a singer that ever lived and I learned phrasing melodies away from the downbeat from him. Vince Gill and Kenny Ranking are the greatest pure tone tenors I've ever heard. Quality voices that can zero in on held notes and make them ring without the slightest hint of vibrato. It takes great musicianship to nail the pitch like that and hold it in a pure tone link that. How do can we get Kenny's view count up? Every song he ever did has examples of that. Plus in every cover, he does a total rewrite of the melody in at least one phrase just to remind you he is a real jazz singer. He does in here at 2:36.
Which reminds me, I do a version of "while my guitar gently weeps" that is based on Kenny's arrangement of the song, which is also on this recording. I haven't recorded it yet. Maybe If I can get warmed up I'll do it tonight.
Ended up here after I looked up who wrote Georgie Fame’s ‘Peaceful.’ Kenny was unknown to me previously. Great voice!
Ah… same thing here, Georgie Fame’s ‘Peaceful’ is so great! Kenny seems to be so worth checking out, also.
A billion thanks to youtube for these oldies !!!!!!
I love this song...I've watched his concert at the Folk Arts Theatre..in 1980.
Dave Logan asshole
Lopan
Down in Jamaica
They got lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue
She's in love with ol' Sam
Take him from the fire
Into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
And she smiles when
She feels like crying
On and on
On and on
On and on
Poor ol' Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman
Kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and
Starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when
He feels like crying
On and on
On and on
On and on
When the first time
Is the last time
It can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight
Got the sun on my shoulders
And…
Hahaha gave up huh? 😂
He said lonesome Jenny
In L.A. we had an "easy listening" station KNX & kenny Rankin was in heavy rotation.
作業のBGMとして、寛ぎタイムにもたまに聞いております。
Kenneth's talent was unsurpassed I guess the genius vocals are outstanding as always great guitar player a lot of people don't realize that but Kenny could play one h*** of a guitar miss him I didn't realize that he passed away a few years ago I looked him up and
aaahhh what a great tune
I was honored to be his friend and at times his representative; a remarkable talent,
God reached down and touched him, and as he often generously stated, his felt his talent belonged to his audience not to him. Allen Hyman
I've always loved Kenny Ramkin, I grew up in the Philippines listening to him through my older brothers. I love his voice and his music. I wish I was able to see him perform but never did. He will always be one of the great ones for me.
Saw him live in Boston. 💞
One of my all time favorite songs. Good memories from the 70's. This version is the best!
IT IS INDEED!!!!!!! THEY DID NOT PLAY IT FOR LONG, AND THEN AFTER STEPHEN BISHOP SANG IT THEY COMPLETELY STOPPED PLAYING IT ....LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG!
@@kassbettina Stephen Bishop wrote "On and On" - just FYI.
My go-to song when I am heartbroken then I feel better.
My go-to song when I feel so sad. Just go on and on. Smile when you feel like crying.
My favorite song of all !!!
Wonderful artist
folk singer of the jazz world
Been looking for Kenny. More Kenny please.
Listen to his concert (beautiful sound engineering on it) here: ruclips.net/video/5oyCuktbjO4/видео.html
@@dbmbrian2166 Thank you for sharing this. Love & thanks to Kenny for sharing his singing.
I found this song randomly, and I think it’s the funniest thing in the world
I remember this song when i was a highschool days we back in 1984 nmsat day i mis this much,
Thanks for the upload! LUV THIS SONG! :D
Simple, poignant and beautiful. I pity Millennials and the garbage they have to listen to.
Yes, I feel sorry for the millennials too because they really do have schlocky vapid music. And it's so superficial and meaningless. Except for the latin stuff!
@@gypsyluv1118 recommendations for that "latin stuff"?
I only listen to real music. Like cavemen throwing rocks against the walls :)
@@yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh me too🤘 🪨🪨🤘
Our kids are millennials but they love Kenny as much as my husband and I do. They grew up listening to his music and all other older artists. 😊
can’t find this on spotify
you're welcome, love this song too :)
I never heard of Kenny Rankin I was looking for Kenny loggins and it popped up and I had to because I am a Rankin and my cats name is Kenny
♥️♥️♥️
Kenny's version is definitely better than Stephen Bishop's.
❤
Lonesome Sue
She's in love with ol' Sam
Take him from the fire
Into the firing squad...
Kenny see U on the otherwise...R.I.P..,
Goood music
Him and jack johnson sounds alike. Both i listen to ❤️
I love this version better than stephen's..
i would say i love it better than Stephen Bishop's. more creative
Stephen Bishop's song.
He sounds like weird al