It’s time to get to the little lady with the great big voice. Born Lena Corinne Taylor, Lee Morse learned to sing at an early age. This childhood exposure to the arts translated into a desire to make music a career. Just prior to her career’s inception, Taylor had married an Elmer Morse, the most lasting aspect of the marriage for Taylor was the change in her last name. Once separated from her husband, she found success in Vaudeville and the theatre. Beginning her recording career in 1924, Morse’s voice was perhaps the feature that separated her from the majority of female artists. With success came pressure, and Morse’s coping mechanism became, increasingly, alcohol. This, paired with the changing in tastes as time bore on, meant that Morse couldn’t stage a proper comeback when she was finally living in a more stable fashion. She passed away in 1954 at the age of 57. Today’s song hails from when Morse’s star burned the brightest.
Unlike many other songs we’ve explored up to this point, this one cuts almost immediately to the chase. Morse’s instrument was her voice. The distinct depth of that voice becomes immediately apparent. Lyrically, the song speaks of a love that has drifted by the wayside. Yet, the chorus informs us that Morse still gets a thrill when thinking on the past. She can vividly remember a particular night shared under the moon. However, even the pleasant memories are tainted by the recollection that every part of the relationship ended far too soon. Morse’s emotional delivery is not bitter or angry. Rather, it remains painfully wistful. For all its depth, the song could not escape all of the trappings of the day, and includes an instrumental break smack dab in the middle of our musical soliloquy. Perhaps this is for the best. In stark contrast to Morse’s melancholy, her band maintains an upbeat presence. This leads to some refuge for the listener. It also leads to emotional confusion by the end, which I think is a great quality in a song. Life and love are rarely black and white. Music should speak a measure of truth to this notion, and not plop its listener down in a firm “happy” or “sad” camp. Morse’s voice hits all of the complexities to leave us guessing by the end. At the very least, we can be sure we’ve heard a true standout.
Music Through the Mists of Time 