The Magic Lady

The Magic LadyThe Greatest Popular Singer in America may be a middle-aged woman whose name will draw a blank stare from faithful juke-box feeders: Mabel Mercer.Make no mistake: she's not spectacular. She won't blast you off the bar stool, dazzle you with trumpet tones, titillate you with tricky technique. In fact, you may not even appreciate her the first time around. Because, like many of life's good things (Scotch, olives, Roquefort cheese), her subtle brand of singing is an acquired taste.It...