One of the many charms of this elegant version of “Anything Goes” is that the singer, Susannah McCorkle, did a little research and dug up a number of extra, long-forgotten verses to this song. The verses are obviously very particular jokes pointed at particular people in pop culture. However, with the exception of Franklin and Mrs. R., those mentioned in the extra lyrics were long ago consigned to whereever pop artifacts go when they’re forgotten. I, for one, look forward to the day that Jessica Simpson is as relevant as a jitney.
Another one of the delightful versions of this version is that, instead of bold and brassy 2/4 time, it’s performed in an easy-going, swinging 3/4. The change in time signature make it a much more sophisticated and subtle song—perhaps not entirely the author’s intent, but I don’t think he would have objected overly much.
After buying this album at Tower, I made it a personal goal to see Ms. McCorkle—and her stylish, direct voice—at her annual engagements at the Oak Room in the Algonquin Hotel. I never fulfilled that goal; despondant over professional setbacks, she killed herself in early 2001 at the age of 55.
Anything Goes.mp3 (link expired)
