Lee Morse
Lena Corinne "Lee" Morse (née Taylor; November 30, 1897 – December 16, 1954) was an American jazz and blues singer-songwriter, composer, guitarist, and actress. Morse's greatest popularity was in the 1920s and early 1930s as a torch singer, although her career began around 1917 and continued until her death in 1954. Morse was known for her strong, deep singing voice and vocal range, which often belied her petite frame. She possessed a contralto vocal range, and one of her trademarks was her unique style of yodeling. Recording over 200 songs over her career, Morse was one of the most recorded female singers of the 1920s. She was also moderately successful as an actress on the Broadway stage. Her life and career, however, were marred by alcoholism. Morse's group the Blue Grass Boys had no relation either to their later namesake of Bill Monroe's nor bluegrass music. In 2014, Morse's rendition of "If You Want the Rainbow" was used in an episode of the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. |
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Victor | BS-75786 | 10-in. | 4/11/1933 | I've got to sing a torch song | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with piano and guitar | vocalist, contralto | |
Victor | BS-75787 | 10-in. | 4/11/1933 | Pettin' in the park | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with piano and guitar | vocalist, contralto | |
Victor | BS-75788 | 10-in. | 4/11/1933 | In the little white church on the hill | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with piano and guitar | vocalist, contralto | |
Victor | BS-75789 | 10-in. | 4/11/1933 | While the rest of the world is sleeping | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with piano and guitar | vocalist, contralto | |
Victor | [Trial 1923-06-30-02] | 10-in. | 6/30/1923 | Darky patter | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Victor | [Trial 1923-06-30-03] | 10-in. | 6/30/1923 | Swanee River | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Victor | [Trial 1923-07-16-01] | 10-in. | 7/16/1923 | Nigger patties, part 1 | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Victor | [Trial 1923-07-16-02] | 10-in. | 7/16/1923 | Nigger patties, part 2 | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Victor | [Trial 1923-07-16-03] | 10-in. | 7/16/1923 | Louisville Lou | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W143659 | 10-in. | 3/16/1927 | I'd love to be in love | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar | composer, lyricist, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W143660 | 10-in. | 3/16/1927 | Where the wild, wild flowers grow | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W143661 | 10-in. | 3/16/1927 | My idea of heaven (Is to be in love with you) | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W143662 | 10-in. | 3/16/1927 | Side by side | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W143678 | 10-in. | 3/17/1927 | I hate to say goodbye | Lee Morse and her Southern Serenaders | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, composer, lyricist, leader | |
Columbia | W143679 | 10-in. | 3/17/1927 | (What do I care what) Somebody said | Lee Morse and her Southern Serenaders | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W143680 | 10-in. | 3/17/1927 | Ain't he sweet? | Lee Morse and her Southern Serenaders | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W143681 | 10-in. | 3/17/1927 | Mollie make up your mind | Lee Morse and her Southern Serenaders | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, composer, lyricist, leader | |
Columbia | W144414 | 10-in. | 6/30/1927 | Rosita | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | composer, lyricist, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W144415 | 10-in. | 6/30/1927 | I'm a red-hot hot-house flower (But my daddy is an ice-cream cone) | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W144416 | 10-in. | 6/30/1927 | We (My honey and me) | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W144417 | 10-in. | 6/30/1927 | I've looked all over (For a girl like you) | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with piano | songwriter, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W144579 | 10-in. | 8/27/1927 | Dawning | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W144580 | 10-in. | 8/27/1927 | I've looked all over for a girl like you | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | songwriter, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W144845 | 10-in. | 10/10/1927 | Old fashioned romance | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | composer, lyricist, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W144846 | 10-in. | 10/10/1927 | Did you mean it? | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W144847 | 10-in. | 10/10/1927 | Someday you'll say "O.K." | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W145292 | 10-in. | 12/9/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Lee Morse and her Southern Serenaders | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W145293 | 10-in. | 12/9/1927 | I'm lonely | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer, vocalist, contralto, leader, lyricist | |
Columbia | W145294 | 10-in. | 12/9/1927 | Give me a good-night kiss | Lee Morse and her Southern Serenaders | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer, lyricist, vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W145564 | 10-in. | 1/23/1928 | Let a smile be your umbrella on a rainy day | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W145565 | 10-in. | 1/23/1928 | There must be a silver lining (That's shining for me) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W145566 | 10-in. | 1/23/1928 | In the sing song sycamore tree | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W145584 | 10-in. | 1/25/1928 | After we kiss | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W145585 | 10-in. | 1/25/1928 | Poor butterfly waits for me | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with violin, piano, and lute | composer, lyricist, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W146407 | 10-in. | 6/6/1928 | Mother and Dad | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer, lyricist, leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W146408 | 10-in. | 6/6/1928 | When I lost you | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W146409 | 10-in. | 6/6/1928 | Lonesome for you | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer, lyricist, leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W146578 | 10-in. | 6/25/1928 | Be sweet to me | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto, songwriter | |
Columbia | W146579 | 10-in. | 6/25/1928 | Don't keep me in the dark, bright eyes | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W146580 | 10-in. | 6/25/1928 | Shadows on the wall | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer, lyricist, leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W146989 | 10-in. | 9/13/1928 | Main Street | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | songwriter, leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W146990 | 10-in. | 9/13/1928 | I must have that man! | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W146991 | 10-in. | 9/13/1928 | Mississippi mud | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W147087 | 10-in. | 9/28/1928 | You are my own | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with cornet, guitar, and piano | vocalist, contralto, composer, lyricist, leader | |
Columbia | W147136 | 10-in. | 10/23/1928 | Old man sunshine | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W147137 | 10-in. | 10/23/1928 | Don't be like that | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W147138 | 10-in. | 10/23/1928 | Where the shy little violets grow | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W147396 | 10-in. | 12/7/1928 | Let's do it (Let's fall in love) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W147397 | 10-in. | 12/7/1928 | Susianna | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W147398 | 10-in. | 12/7/1928 | Adellina | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | vocalist, contralto, composer, lyricist, leader | |
Columbia | W147403 | 10-in. | 12/10/1928 | Just you and I | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | vocalist, contralto, composer, lyricist, leader | |
Columbia | W147442 | 10-in. | 11/3/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano (takes 4-6); with alto saxophone, cornet, trombone, banjo, and piano (takes 1-3) | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W148632 | 10-in. | 5/27/1929 | He's a good man to have around | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W148633 | 10-in. | 5/27/1929 | I'm doing what I'm doing for love | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W148784 | 10-in. | 7/3/1929 | Miss you | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W148785 | 10-in. | 7/3/1929 | In the hush of the night | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W148846 | 10-in. | 7/24/1929 | Moanin' low | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W148847 | 10-in. | 7/24/1929 | Sweetness | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W148992 | 10-in. | 9/11/1929 | Sweetheart's holiday | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W148993 | 10-in. | 9/11/1929 | Love me | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W149156 | 10-in. | 10/18/1929 | Look what you've done to me | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W149160 | 10-in. | 10/18/1929 | If I can't have you (If you can't have me) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W149469 | 10-in. | 11/4/1929 | My fate is in your hands | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W149470 | 10-in. | 11/4/1929 | To be forgotten | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W149684 | 10-in. | 12/5/1929 | A little kiss each morning (A little kiss at night) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W149685 | 10-in. | 12/5/1929 | I love you, believe me, I love you | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W149773 | 10-in. | 1/16/1930 | Until love comes along | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W149774 | 10-in. | 1/16/1930 | Blue, turning grey over you | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150032 | 10-in. | 2/27/1930 | 'Tain't no sin (To dance around in your bones) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150033 | 10-in. | 2/27/1930 | I'm following you | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150138 | 10-in. | 3/27/1930 | Cooking breakfast for the one I love | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150139 | 10-in. | 3/27/1930 | Sing, you sinners | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150570 | 10-in. | 6/5/1930 | Swingin' in a hammock | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150571 | 10-in. | 6/5/1930 | Seems to me | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150623 | 10-in. | 7/7/1930 | Little white lies | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W150624 | 10-in. | 7/7/1930 | Nobody cares if I'm blue | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150675 | 10-in. | 7/25/1930 | I still get a thrill (Thinking of you) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150676 | 10-in. | 7/25/1930 | So beats my heart for you | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150842 | 10-in. | 9/26/1930 | Just a little while | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W150843 | 10-in. | 9/26/1930 | When the organ played at twilight | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150924 | 10-in. | 10/31/1930 | Wasting my love on you | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150925 | 10-in. | 10/31/1930 | Loving you the way I do | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150986 | 10-in. | 11/26/1930 | You're driving me crazy! | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W150987 | 10-in. | 11/26/1930 | He's my secret passion | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W151173 | 10-in. | 12/23/1930 | The little things in life | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151174 | 10-in. | 12/23/1930 | Tears | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151225 | 10-in. | 1/16/1931 | I'm one of God's children (Who hasn't got wings) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151226 | 10-in. | 1/16/1931 | Blue again | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151334 | 10-in. | 2/20/1931 | Walkin' my baby back home | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W151335 | 10-in. | 2/20/1931 | I've got five dollars | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151470 | 10-in. | 3/27/1931 | The tune that never grows old | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, composer, lyricist, leader | |
Columbia | W151471 | 10-in. | 3/27/1931 | By my side | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist, contralto, leader | |
Columbia | W151585 | 10-in. | 6/3/1931 | Let's get friendly | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151586 | 10-in. | 6/3/1931 | I'm thru with love | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151670 | 10-in. | 7/8/1931 | It's the girl! | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151671 | 10-in. | 7/8/1931 | I'm an unemployed sweetheart (Looking for someone to love) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151773 | 10-in. | 9/4/1931 | Love letters in the sand | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151774 | 10-in. | 9/4/1931 | Mood indigo | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151852 | 10-in. | 10/19/1931 | Call me darling (Call me sweetheart, call me dear) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W151853 | 10-in. | 10/19/1931 | I'm for you a hundred per cent | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader, vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W152173 | 10-in. | 4/28/1932 | When the lights are soft and low | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W152174 | 10-in. | 4/28/1932 | Lawd, you made the night too long | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W152290 | 10-in. | 8/26/1932 | Moonlight on the river | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Columbia | W152291 | 10-in. | 8/26/1932 | Something in the night | Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano | vocalist, contralto | |
Brunswick | 1285W-1288W | 10-in. | 9/2/1925 | Golden dream girl | Palala’s Hawaiians | Guitar duet (Hawaiian) | composer | |
Edison | 10582 | 10-in. | 9/17/1925 | Golden dream girl | Jack Stillman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
Decca | 63361 | 10-in. | 3/2/1938 | When I lost you | Lee Morse | vocalist, contralto | ||
Decca | 63362 | 10-in. | 3/2/1938 | Shadows on the wall | Lee Morse | vocalist, contralto | ||
Decca | 63363 | 10-in. | 3/2/1938 | I see your face before me | Lee Morse | vocalist, contralto | ||
Decca | 63364 | 10-in. | 3/2/1938 | Careless love | Lee Morse | vocalist, contralto | ||
Decca | 63365 | 10-in. | 3/2/1938 | Sing me a song of Texas | Lee Morse | vocalist, contralto | ||
Decca | 63366 | 10-in. | 3/2/1938 | I need lovin' | Lee Morse | vocalist, contralto | ||
Decca | 76391 | 5/19/1950 | Don't ever change a picture on the wall | Lee Morse and her Bluegrass Boys | vocalist, contralto | |||
Decca | 76392 | 5/19/1950 | If you only knew | Lee Morse and her Bluegrass Boys | vocalist, contralto | |||
Decca | 76393 | 5/19/1950 | Lonesome darlin' | Lee Morse and her Bluegrass Boys | vocalist, contralto | |||
Decca | 76394 | 5/19/1950 | Longing | Lee Morse and her Bluegrass Boys | vocalist, contralto |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Morse, Lee," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110542.
Morse, Lee. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110542.
"Morse, Lee." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Morse, Lee, -1954 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no97048112
Wikidata: Lee Morse - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q3829380
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/66077205
MusicBrainz: Lee Morse - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/8ef9cc2c-e2a0-4c04-bc0f-80f58cadaaa9
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
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