My Favorite Cover Songs (197) "When I Fall In Love" Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Nat King Cole, Carpenters, Celine Dion

This time, it's a classic jazz standard. Written for a 1952 film, it was composed by Victor Young, who also wrote the songs from my past articles, "Love Letters" and "Stella by Starlight" It has been covered by many big artists, and the ones I've chosen to feature this time are all legendary performances.

Miles Davis (1926-91) recorded it during his so-called marathon sessions in 1956 (two days of intensive recording to fulfill his contract with the record company), and this track is included on the 1962 album "Steamin' With The Miles Davis Quintet." This is the version through which I first discovered the song. Miles playing the ballad gently with a muted trumpet—it's irresistible.

Three great performances by legendary pianists. First, from the Bill Evans Trio's "Portrait In Jazz" (1960).

Keith Jarrett's (1945- ) "After The Fall" is from a 1998 Standards Trio live performance, recorded after Keith returned from medical leave.

This is a solo piano performance by Brad Mehldau (1970- ) from the 2007 "Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz." It is a recording from a radio program where Marian McPartland, herself a jazz pianist, welcomed Mehldau as a guest.

When I fall in love...
It will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love
In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
... ...
And when I give my heart
It will be completely

There are many vocal covers as well, including those that feature the verse. I have carefully selected just three. First is the definitive version by Nat King Cole (1919-65). "What a glossy voice!" (in the style of figure skating commentator Narumi Takahashi).

The Carpenters also sang it. This is from the album "Lovelines," released in 1989 after Karen's passing. It properly includes the verse at the beginning.

In the hit movie "Sleepless In Seattle" (1993), starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, a duet by Celine Dion (1968- ) and Clive Griffin plays during the finale. The song also became a hit under the title "When I Fall in Love (Love Theme from Sleepless in Seattle)."
During that era, both Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks were in high demand for all sorts of films.