Della Reese "After Loving You" - R.I.P.

[drjohncarpenter]

Singer and actress Della Reese passed away today.

570929_Della Reese_Ed Sullivan.jpg

Della Reese, Singer and ‘Touched by an Angel’ Star, Dies at 86
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/obituaries/della-reese-singer-and-touched-by-an-angel-star-dies-at-86.html



She was a big influence on at least one terrific Elvis recording, "After Loving You."

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Della Reese "After Loving You" (ABC-Paramount 10691, July 3, 1965)
Cash Box "Top 100" #81, July 17, 1965, Billboard "Hot 100" #95, August 7, 1965



Eddy Arnold issued the original version in 1962. But we have from Elvis a 1966 home demo, and the 1969 studio master, among others, of this Eddie Miller song, and both show her influence.



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Elvis Presley "After Loving You" (1966 home demo)
Elvis solo, on piano.



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Elvis Presley "After Loving You" From Elvis In Memphis (RCA 4155, June 1969)



R.I.P. Della.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Della_Reese

[poormadpeter2]

Thanks for the info.

It's not very often that I personally get saddened by the passing of a celebrity, but Della Reese is something else entirely. I like Della Reese very much as a singer, and she was quite a character, a stunning singer, good actress, and in recent years, an ordained minister. I was reading only a few days ago, however, that Della was in very ill health.

Her performances rarely fail to move me in some way, whether putting a huge grin in my face or causing a sizeable lump in my throat. She was really something, and will be missed.

A few favourite Della Reese moments, if I may:

This video (from a DVD called Rhapsody in Black) was the first time I came across Della Reese - check out the sheer joy of performing and singing, with her extended ending of the song
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This version of Games People Play is from her wonderful album Black is Beautiful (which also included Proud Mary. She also recorded Only the Strong Survive during the same period).
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And finally, With Pen in Hand from the same album. Gets me every time.
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[Will]

I was just listening to her version yesterday.....love it. You can hear the influence it had on Elvis. Great song.

[ORION]

Let's not forget her wonderful performances in "Touched By An Angel." She also starred with Elvis' co-star Jack Albertson in "Chico and the Man." RIP Ms. Della.

[elvis-fan]

Hilarious scene from Harlem Nights.... RIP Della.

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[EPA4368]

R.I.P. Della.

[Domino]

R.I.P. Della Reese.

First Della song I heard.

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[r&b]

Love her soulful voice. Met her once. A very classy lady. RIP

[Ricky]

Her performances on the TV show " Touched By An Angel" were just beautiful. An angel has been called home.

[keninlincs]

RIP Della.

[jeanno]

Classic soulful voice.
RIP

[javierTCB]

I love her version for "It Was a Very Good Year".



R.I.P Della.