Reviewing a Legend

Using O’Day’s age (almost 70) and her well-publicized personal problems against her is a cheap shot.

Contrary to what Liska writes, O’Day was never known for her “bell-clear” instrument. She never had a voice and is famous for that fact. She is also famous for not having any vibrato because her uvula was accidentally cut during throat surgery when she was a child.

She’s the first to admit that she’s not a singer. She’s a song stylist renowned for her timing and interpretation, and for that reason she’s considered one of the four or five most important vocalists of the century.

ALAN EICHLER

Los Angeles