Dinah Washington - All of Me (Live)

Dinah Washington, original name Ruth Lee Jones (born August 29th 1924, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S and died December 14th 1963, Detroit, Michigan). Black American blues singer noted for her excellent voice control and unique gospel-influenced delivery. As a child, Ruth Jones moved with her family to Chicago.

Dinah won a talent contest at Chicago Regal Theater in 1938; sang in gospel circuit in 1943. She left religious field to perform in Chicago area nightclubs. About 1942/43 she adopted the stage name Dinah Washington. Joined Lionel Hampton's orchestra in 1943 and recorded on Keynote label, recorded on Apollo label in Los Angeles in 1945 and embarked on solo career 1946, signed contract with Mercury Records in 1948, and over the next decade recorded over three hundred sides. In 1958 appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1959 toured Europe and signed with the Roulette label in 1962 and owned a Detroit restaurant; performed with Count Basie and Duke Ellington in 1963.

During the period from 1949 to 1955, her recordings were consistently among the Top 10 hits of the rhythm & blues charts. Even after she crossed over to the popular (pop) music market, in which she had her greatest commercial success, Washington retained many of her earlier fans because of her passionate,supple style.
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All of me
Why not take all of me
Can't you see
I'm no good without you

Take my lips
I want to loose them
Take my arms
I'll never use them

Your goodbye left me with eyes that cry
How can I go on dear without you
You took the part that once was my heart
So why not take all of me

[Lyrics by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons]
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