ETHEL MERMAN "DOWN IN THE DEPTHS" (COLE PORTER) BEST HD QUALITY 

One of the greatest standards in the 20th Century "American Song Book" repertoire. The dark minor key tones of Porter are a "knockout". Needless to say, it is unappreciated today.

So many of us today ... who actually remember LaMerman, associate her with her trademark deep and husky voice... the type of voice which has naturally deepened over the years; it happens to us all. So, it's wonderful to hear the voice her fame is based-on: a surprising light and agile tessitura, but still with all the power we associate with her. That combination of lightness and power is quite remarkable... and often found only in those who have operatic training... and that articulation: clean as a whistle! This is one of my very favorite ColePoter songs, and it's wonderful to hear that 30s-type orchestration, full of syncopation and a rhythm surging the song forward. Thank-you very much for sharing this wonderful gem with us!

Don't let anyone tell you Ethel couldn't do plaintive. She and Cole were a divine combo in every mood and manner.

Manhattan, I'm up a tree The one I’ve adored is bored With me. Manhattan, I'm awfully nice, Nice people dine with me, And even twice. Yet the only one in the world I'm mad about Talks of somebody else And walks out. With a million neon rainbows burning below me And a million blazing taxis raising a roar Here I sit, above the town In my pet pailletted gown Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor. While the crowds at El Morocco punish the parquet And at '21' the couples clamor for more I'm deserted and depressed In my regal eagle nest Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor. When the only one you wanted wants another What's the use of swank and cash in the bank galore? Why, even the janitor's wife Has a perfectly good love life And here am I Facing tomorrow Alone with my sorrow Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor.

Terrific presence in her phonation all through the range... They just don't sing like this anymore, nor do they write much music that is really singable... Too much shouting and screaming!

Glorious

Why, even the janitor's wife Has a perfectly good love life And here am I Facing tomorrow Alone with my sorrow Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor.

Iam in tears after this nostalgic and warm voice that resembles my grandmother!!! I am 56 .

This version is a lot smoother, and musically satisfying, but the later version when she was older had a lot more feeling. What a great Cole Porter song, though one I haven't heard anywhere else.

Wonderful to hear her sing this gem! The arrangement is also full of delicious musical surprises.

Great video, thank you.

Thank you very much, not only for sharing the song but for the wonderful vid. My sense of Ethel Merman was shaped by listening, often, to the _Gypsy_ OBC album when I was a kid (my father always listened to diverse music); only in the past 10 years or so, as I began watching a lot of 1930s movies, did I see another aspect of who she was and of her career. Fascinating. Thanks again.

What's the use of swank and cash in the bank galore? Why, even the janitor's wife Has a perfectly good love life And here am I Facing tomorrow Alone with my sorrow Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor.

So fine! A great rendition of a great song and I think it's even better on an album I have by her. I agree, Jim, to "Needless to say, it is unappreciated today." Especially when you listen and watch Lisa Stansfield's ass-tighting rendition of this song (and read the comments). Sad.