The End of a Love Affair

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The End of a Love Affair (Edward C. Redding) published 1950

Having trouble finding information on this 1950 standard despite its having been recorded by some of the best in the business and the impressive ranking at Jazzstandards.com, # 392. No Wikipedia profile, nor list of covers at Second Hand Songs. A brief paragraph at the site Standard of the Day says,

This somber and smokey tune of love and loss was practically written for the saloon. Jimmy Dorsey’s orchestra introduced it, but it was quickly snatched up by a number of different artists during the 1950s.

Thus far, I’ve found no early recordings of the song.

Frank Sinatra with The Hollywood String Quartet, recorded 5 April 1956, Nelson Riddle arrangement – released on the album Close to You, 1956

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Nat King Cole – from Love is the Thing, released April 1957. Wikipedia reports that the album reached #1 on Billboard’s pop albums chart and tied for #1 in the UK. In their overview of the album Wikipedia says,

In 1956, Cole came together with popular music arranger Jenkins to produce the first of the four collaborations that are described by critics as among the best of either artist.^[2][3] American Jazz commenter Scott Yanow noted that the album “sticks exclusively” to the role Cole had established in 1950s popular opinion as a “superb ballad vocalist”.^[6] While Love Is the Thing little reflects the jazz roots whence Cole emerged,^[6] the singer’s “restrained vocal approach” and the arranger’s “unhurried string charts” combined to produce a romantic album of enduring popularity.^[2]

Cole’s three further albums with Jenkins were The Very Thought of You (1958), Everytime I Feel the Spirit (1959), and Where Did Everyone Go? (1963).

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Billie Holiday – Session #86 New York 20 February 1958 Ray Ellis and his Orchestra (Columbia) — Urbie Green, Tom Mitchell & J. J. Johnson (tb) Ed Powell, Tom Pashley, Romeo Penque, Phil Bodner (sax) Mal Waldron (p) Barry Galbraith (g) Milt Hinton (b) Don Lamond (d) Billie Holiday (v) Brad Spinney(xyl) J. Putman (harp) + strings and choir, released on the album Lady in Satin, June 1958

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Dexter Gordon -  Recorded 9 May 1961 — Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Kenny Drew (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Philly Joe Jones (drums) – album: Dexter Calling…, 1961

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Wes Montgomery – Live in Holland, 1965

Wes Montgomery: guitar
Pim Jacobs: piano
Ruud Jacobs: Bass
Han Bennink: drums

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Gloria Lynne – from I Wish You Love, 1967

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Jimmy Raney – recorded 2 September 1975 – According to the video provider the track was added to the original material when the CD of Raney’s 1976 album Solo was issue, in 1991.  But this track and another on the 1991 reissue, Suzanne, originally appeared on Raney’s debut record for Xanadu, The Influence, released in 1975.

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The Real Deal Big Band — date unknown

The provider says, “…arranged by Willy Dalton–solos by Willy on guitar and Mike DiLorenzo on organ–band members included Vince Cherico, drums, and Irio O’Farrill, bass.”

Version #1

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Version #2

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