Friday Fun: Fine Times Two

When listening to versions of Fine and Mellow on Wednesday, we also heard Nellie Lutcher putting her stamp on the tune. That sent me back to one of her signature numbers that sneaks “fine” right into the title — Fine Brown Frame. So…

Here’s Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm with her big 1948 hit on Capitol:

That’s just pure, flirty fun. I remember first hearing it on a CD compilation around 2000 and immediately thinking, “Wait — what’s this? How did I not know about this?”

And because I’m a sucker for pop‑culture name‑drops, I love how she casually tosses in Robert Taylor, Robert Young, (Don)Ameche, and (Clark) Gable. Only Nellie could make a roll call of Hollywood leading men feel like part of the rhythm section!

As usual, she makes every song sound like it was written specifically for her. So I was surprised to learn sometime later that there was an earlier version of Fine Brown Frame — by Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra on Decca, recorded four years earlier:

It’s pleasant enough, but it doesn’t quite have that special spark Nellie brings. Still, it’s always fun to go digging and hear how a tune evolves before the right artist comes along and makes it shine.

But Nellie is fine times two!