Keely Smith - 2005 MAC Awards - Louis Prima's Italian Songs

[@hankaustin7091]

Can you even imagine what their Vegas show (She and Louis Prima) must have been like back in the '50s? It would have been such a joy to have been there and experienced all that great music!! RIP dear Keely and fabulous Louis Prima.. I'm sure God and the angels are singing and dancing with you two right at this moment!

[@iVenge]

Prima was a unique act, in some sense a uniquely American act, in that it’s not just New Orleans, it’s not just swing, it’s not just “ethnic”... it’s all three combined, and it all came to him naturally. Everyone else is just imitating. Now, I’m not even a big fan of Louis Prima as a person, but I have to just admit that his talents in this regard were phenomenal. I also might tend to believe that you can’t get there at all but through New Orleans. There is just something about that place and its musical contributions.

[@austntexan]

I got into Louis and Keely during the 90s and I asked my grandparents if they'd ever seen them in Vegas....they said it was shoulder to shoulder and one of the best shows they'd seen.

[@penepigott6712]

Husband Bob & I spent Many nights enjoying the Prima act in the lounge! Best show in Vegas that only cost you the price of a drink…even if it was non alcoholic! Shred our lg booth one night with Elvis Presley & several beautiful girls he was with….great show!…..never to be repeated!

[@lordofthemound3890]

There are lots of clips of the duo here on YT.

[@arvedsin]

She had one of the greatest voices in the history of American singers, without a shadow of a doubt!

[@phredl]

@Blue C What's good?

[@tonyanderton3521]

Exactly right, Ricardo.

[@hilltopviewer8204]

I wouldn't say that now! 😅

[@kurtlonde5892]

.... ich hab selten so eine Sängerin oder der Sänger gehört.... der so eine klare und perfekte Intonation in den Endungen hatte...wie sie I... love it.... 💕

[@angelacarleton9575]

John, you're so right. Keely Smith and Louis Prima were like Sonny & Cher of the 70s. Which is why I was surprised how they joked and kid around when they started singing and they did those funny parts in their show. I knew then they took that from Lous Prima and Keely Smith acts which they did back in the Sahara in Las Vegas shows.

[@PearlsMaMa1]

WOW she still has a GREAT crystal clear voice!!!! BRAVO Keeley!!!!

[@tonyanderton3521]

I love Keely Smith. Remember, she's in her late-70s on this performance. Anyone who doesn't know her at her peak should listen to the album 'Politely' from 1958.

[@machpodfan]

Sweet and Lovely is a mega-earworm for me❤❤💘

[@tonyanderton3521]

@@machpodfan Yes, for me, too.

[@machpodfan]

@@tonyanderton3521 Politely was a sublime LP. Keely's singing is always with me--one of the absolute natural greats!

[@tonyanderton3521]

@@machpodfan Absolutely right. I still love to hear Keely Smith. Definitely one of the greats, as you say. Certainly no need for autotune with those wonderful singers of the Great American Songbook.

[@FTWLiveMusicScene]

I am not even sure most of that crowd realizes the musical legend that's in front of them

[@777MusicLVR]

Had the pleasure of seeing her live. What a show! She was indeed a GREAT and underrated singer.

[@elliotskydel641]

Underrated by who? Pure voice.

[@777MusicLVR]

@@elliotskydel641 Sorry, it’s not clear what you’re trying to express. 🤔

[@austntexan]

@@777MusicLVR They're not understanding your unclear comment. Keely Smith is hardly underrated. She's been nominated for multiple grammy, played with Sinatra constantly, played Vegas for many year, scores of hit records and on radio/tv for her entire professional career. Did you mean you weren't aware of her?

[@jeffreyball6618]

Great

[@hudentdw2]

Keely Smith had a wonderful voice specially as a young singer!

[@Juggalo5588]

Performing for 60 years, Incredible!

[@markusr7421]

Respect for singing that songs as being nearly 80 years old. On the other hand, you will realize how great the original small band was - THE WITNESSES featuring Sam Butera -- simply like swinging gods...

[@johnjarou2357]

underated singer. real talent here folks.

[@EveIll8tone]

Underrated? She’s considered one of the best lol

[@hank1519]

@@EveIll8tone People love to say someone is underrated!

[@austntexan]

Underrated how? Multi-Grammy nominated, played with Sinatra regularly, on radio/tv her entire professional life and had multiple hit records on the radio. Did you mean you weren't familiar with her?

[@graciesmom1477]

I remember seeing her when I was a kid. My mom loved her. RIP Keely.

[@bedda5686]

Supert Keely ,Bravo ,merci pour cet hommage au grand Louis Prima💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@chrisozzy56]

What a voice ! Love Keely Smith .

[@amazinrandym8921]

to the greatest female singer ever the only thing greater then your voice, is the amount of class you had rest in peace may God enjoy your beautiful smile and grace ,thank you for your kindness

[@guycmcd]

Crystal clear voice and diction...

[@johnlarocca3951]

Keely smith and louis prima What a combo!!!!

[@Valness11]

LOVE her. voice, attitude, energy....special lady

[@kingakalinowska6218]

It’s so touching, amazing and sad at the same time. Not only because she is no longer with us, but most of all because even such a great artist as she was, was not able to turn back time and bring Louis and his energy back on that stage.

[@mikehudson8884]

Loved Keely Smith back in the day, bought a lot of her records, she looks great and sounds the same here. Good to see thanks for the post.

[@cinthiadiazcalvo]

I love her!

[@jerrylyons9279]

should you ever go to keely's home town, new orleans, then go into french quarter to "molly's at the market" the juke box there has many of her albums. pet the cat on top of j. box.

[@archierri]

Wonderful person, and a BEAUTYFUL woman!!!

[@machpodfan]

She was brilliant her whole life!

[@CarterClub]

Legendary! I miss her ❤

[@danielzamudio3235]

she still looks good!!!

[@danielzamudio3235]

great singer.........Great Lady....

[@Flap999]

I’ve had a crush on Keely all my life. What an amazing talent and as beautiful as ever.

[@muzakman7509]

A total legend.

[@cookiemobers5650]

RIP Keely! We love you!

[@MikeysGayToday]

I am heartbroken. I loved her. MY FAVORITE!

[@discosydiscofilos]

A great singer and with simpaty in excess,a great kiss for you.

[@bwalla50]

Keely and Louis made great music together. Keely is one of my idols. RiP.

[@yunusemrebuyuktokmak1403]

rest in peace keely

[@lakemichigan6598]

And she could still sing! A great example of the extraordinary talent early Las Vegas offered to attract its gambling public.

[@wladekwloszcz3803]

what a beautiful soul Keely is (i know she's gone, but she is not gone).

[@SRSM198]

A brilliant artist, the way Keely trilles those notes

[@rottenronnieful]

Magnificent!

[@heli-crewhgs5285]

She’s aged 77 here! R.I.P. Keely Smith (1928-1917).

[@jorgeportche6870]

ERA UNA CANTANTE ESPECTACULAR... A LOS 77 AÑOS DE EDAD CANTABA HERMOSAMENTE....CON VOZ CLARA...Y POTENTE...CON TODA SU CATEGORIA Y CALIDAD...RIP...HERMOSA MUJER..

[@michaeldadzar2199]

There is nothing that I can say.........I love Louie Prima ad finally getting to here his wife Kelly sing is AMAZING..................

[@mimozahuda5411]

Very very nice thank you Keely

[@robertcatesby8420]

Keely's the best!

[@masercot]

She was always the best part of Louis Prima's songs...

[@theblueraven716]

everybody loved Keely!!!

[@chenzenzo]

I'm a proud Sicilian American and love her like she was my own ex wife! Salutamu a tutti Siciliani e God bless Keely Smith!

[@albertardiscohn4900]

Love it

[@hariton0]

SUPER KEELY!!! 73-YEARS OLD!!!!!

[@rogeralsop3479]

Excellent!

[@eloyguevara9447]

increible....................................

[@4anjmorrison]

I am still in love with her.

[@chetlucido6536]

a new world but tradition carries on.....

[@songmansteve]

Legends!

[@lesap1]

She "identifies" as Italian! Lovely woman.

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

Iron Eyes Cody, best known as the Native American who wept when he saw trash thrown from a car in an anti-littering commercial in the 1970s, also "identified" as something else: He and Louis Prima hailed from the same state, and had DNA that said "Sicilian."

[@Mrpallekuling]

What a professional! No surprise she has been on the stage for more than half a century. I still wonder what this "zuma-zuma" means...

[@patsirianni3025]

Love this Lady

[@robertdunham5677]

RIP...89

[@kiramali555]

I love her

[@DETROITBULLET]

RIP to the light of his life

[@jackruby6696]

Rest In Peace keely. Get that banana split in heaven.

[@csigabiga1975]

Fantastic! (Y)

[@summermen]

Damn. She swings.

[@josierizo2192]

She have a nice voice this is a good song

[@PhilippeOdent59]

RIP Keely

[@MrRentgould]

Nice

[@hermestrimegisto6516]

i just can say ¡wowwwww!!!!

[@edgregg6757]

once in a lifetime...…….

[@spencerdoidge8793]

I agree with Ricardo Lmass (below). Keely Smith's rendition of "The Song Is You" in particular first opened my ears to her greatness as a singer. Another gem of hers is where she sings "How HIgh The Moon" with Count Basie's band. If you know that song, try to figure out the introduction aranged by, I'm guessing, Sammy Nestico. Good luck. I never did.

[@kevinfriend3504]

OMG! She was Native American!!!!!!!!!

[@maxxriffstation7429]

One half

[@arthurogle7581]

Anyone old enuff (I am) to remember Dean Martins cover of Keeley's 2nd song "Momma Mia"? Bluegrass music is my fave genre, but 50's tunes are second.

[@YosenBMamma]

It seems to me I could hear every horn but the Sax. Anyone else notice that? Keely was adorably cute when she was younger. (I especially love women in short hair.) And she's still not bad looking, here at 73.

[@anthonycevallos9247]

They should have had a Boom mike on that Sax player. What a shame.

[@alexvalenzi]

Yeah shame on the soundman!!

[@валерийовсянников-ф3з]

Луис Прима и Кели Смит-прекрасны

[@sens6832]

там без "С". Но ты прав. Жаль, рано умер Луи. в 69 лет, как я помню

[@alise48]

Жаль,что у нас они известны узким кругам людей

[@mtp4430]

Love Keely ♥️ The damn snare drum is louder than the horns ☹️. Never heard a mix quite like that before. But ♥️ and miss Keely, Louis, and Sam.

[@bengtwahlstedt1021]

RIP KELLY 🙂😥

[@jojoheartspaypay]

Never ever lost a step...

[@mikedamhesel]

it would've been even better if the soundtech put everything level in the mix instead of mostly drums and vocals. You couldn't even hear the sax solo

[@alise48]

Красивая очень и талантливая женщина!

[@larrybaker9924]

She is 108 years old here on stage.

[@jadezee6316]

keely smith was always a singer...having to deal with her lounge act husband and his corny act...must have driven her nearly insane.....go listen to her duets with Sinatra...very fine recordings

[@JLNeis]

She was great. Herself alone or with Louie.

[@triatmodjomarawasianto2878]

Hebat

[@Berkcam]

I can't believe it's taken me sixty plus years to discover this lady. For me she's above Ella Fitzgerald.

[@michaelheath5988]

She is great but no-one is above Ella!

[@rockdrumr2772]

Who did the sound in this disaster?!?!?! It would have been great if you could hear the damn horns!!!

[@eddieb7054]

Early Cher seemed to adopt a stoic Keely persona. Wonder if they ever performed together.

[@jazzyobsessivecatdisorder2575]

where's sam??? (Louis prima trumpet partner)

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

Did anybody ever stage a backup vocalist behind her, and that vocalist then stood there like they wanted to be elsewhere? 😃

[@raffaeleaquilanti1483]

Please don't sing! Ahahah my eyes are full of tears remembering Louis and Keely playing together

[@billhirr318]

was thaT Sam Butera??????== actuaLLy doesn'T look olD Enough Thought maybe she would honor him like that -- know he plaYed with out them in the Clubs also later.. SUCH FUN, ANYWAY.. WONDER HOW SHE IS TODAY 2016==== WeLL, i TrusT.

[@jeffreyball6618]

Party

[@KJones-qs7ju]

She was his handler obviously.

[@cotswoldcuckoo775]

He done her wrong !!! Louis had such a huge ego and domineering way that it must have been very hard for any partner or musicians working with or for him.

[@randymeyer6482]

A Cherokee with Italian roots, and she can sing too...eat your heart out Elizabeth Warren...you'll never be the woman Keely was...

[@Pashasmom1]

I just couldn't get into her stage act - Louis was exuberant and she was a drag. Never changed her hair style all her life. I liked Gia Maione much better. She was fun to watch.

[@iVenge]

She was genuinely talented. But this is Prima’s shtick, and she doesn’t do it that well. Pity she couldn’t have gotten together (musically) with Sam Butera, who could do that stuff almost as well as Prima. She is not served well by a lesser band. And it is incredibly difficult, if not impossible to match Sam Butera and the Witnesses.

[@jimcapone2593]

Audio Fail! Sound men suck!

[@martymartin6191]

we had some real class acts back then!!!! AND you didn't have to be politically correct either!!! Comedy was great then!!!!

[@eddygsmusicworld1708]

my cousin robbed her

[@nycphillie]

Poorly done for sound man. Sax solo was dead.

[@XX-gy7ue]

SO TERRIFIC

[@ninoc29]

[@mantisxxx3656]

This is pure magic!

[@ssddsquare]

She makes it seems so effortlessly.