When my daughter was very young, I played her “Twisted,” from Joni Mitchell’s “Court and Spark” album. She loved it — particularly the kicker line, “Instead of one head, I’ve got two!”
Ever since buying that album in 1973, I guess I never checked the liner notes, because I had assumed that Joni wrote all the songs. So, imagine my surprise when, today, I read the obituary of a jazz vocalist named Annie Ross, who not only wrote but also recorded the tune in 1952. Seven years later, she appeared on Hugh Hefner’s syndicated TV show, “Playboy’s Penthouse,” where she sang “Twisted” with accompaniment from no less than Count Basie on piano.
As you watch this, keep an eye out for two other esteemed jazz vocalists who were guests on that show, Joe Williams and Tony Bennett.