Zoot Sims (4)

ZOOT SIMS & THE GERSHWIN BROTHERS (1975)

.

1. The Man I Love
2. How Long Has This Been Going On
3. Oh Lady Be Good
4. I've Got A Crush On You
5. I Got Rhythm
6. Embraceable You
7. 'S Wonderful
8. Someone To Watch Over Me
9. Isn't It A Pity
10. Summertime

Featuring Oscar Peterson on piano, Joe Pass on guitar, George Mraz on bass & Grady Tate on drums.

ZOOT SIMS - THE BOSSA NOVA SESSIONS (1998)

1. Recado Bossa Nova
2. Maria Ninguen
3. Cano Canoe
4. Sem Saudades Da Voce
5. Ciume
6. Cantando A Orquesta
7. Barquinho De Papel
8. Instant Samba
9. Bernie's Tune
10. They Call the Wind Maria
11. Poquito Cantando
12. Lonesome Road
13. Lover Come Back to Me
14. Reaching For The Moon
15. Don't Fool With Love
16. Tickle Toe
17. Nature Boy

The great jazz saxophonist's 1962 & 1963 bossa nova LPs for the Colpix label together on one CD. Contains all of the original tracks on the albums, including 'Nature Boy', 'TheyCall The Wind Maria', 'Instant Samba', 'Tickle Toe' and 'Recado Bossa Nova' (Parts 1 & 2). The line-up on the albumsincludes Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Milt Hinton & Phil Woods.

ZOOT SIMS - HAWTHORNE NIGHTS (1994)

1. Hawthorn Nights
2. Main Stem
3. More Than You Know
4. Only A Rose
5. The Girl From Ipanema
6. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
7. Fillings
8. Dark Cloud

Unlike most of his Pablo sessions, this Zoot Sims CD is not a quartet outing but an opportunity for his tenor to be showcased while joined by a nine-piece group that includes six horns (three reeds among them). Bill Holman's inventive arrangements are a large part as to why the date is successful but Sims's playing on the five standards, two Holman pieces and his own "Dark
Cloud" should not be overlooked. Fortunately there is also some solo space saved for the talented sidemen (which include Oscar Brashear and Snooky Young on trumpets, trombonist Frank Rosolino and the woodwinds and reeds of Jerome Richardson, Richie Kamuca and Bill Hood). A well-rounded set of swinging jazz. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at RCA Studios, Los Angeles, California on September 20 & 21, 1976.

Personnel: Zoot Sims (vocals, tenor saxophone); Bill Hood (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet); Jerome Richardson (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Richie Kamuca (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Snooky Young (trumpet, flugelhorn, horns); Oscar Brashear (trumpet); Frank Rosolino (trombone); Ross Tompkins (piano); Nick Ceroli (drums).

Arranger: Bill Holman.

PINKY WINTERS & ZOOT SIMS - PINKY & ZOOT (1954)

1. I'll remember April
2. Lady is a tramp
3. Pennies from Heaven
4. Dancing on the ceiling
5. These foolish things
6. Gone with the wind
7. The nearness of you
8. Lover man

Zampole di Natale

'Zampogne di Natale' & 'Viaggio a Betlemme' - 2 old tapes of bagpipes, chorus and musics for Christmas (1996)

Zampogne:

 

1. Pastorale

2. Piva piva

3. Noel Noel

4. Gloria in excelsis deo

5. Venite adoriamo

6. Tu scendi dalle stelle

7. In notte placida

8. Astro del ciel

9. Ninna nanna

10. Adeste fideles

11. Novena

Viaggio:

12. Andare a Betlemme

13. Notte di prodigi

14. Dolce Maria

15. Attendiamo la cometa

16. Non c'è più posto

17. Una capanna

18. E' nato, alleluja!

19. Andare a Betlemme

20. Notte di prodigi

21. Dolce Maria

22. Attendiamo la cometa

23. Non c'è più posto

24. Una capanna

25. E'nato, alleluja

Wild Bill Davis

JOHNNY HODGES & WILD BILL DAVIS - CON-SOUL & JAZZ - WILD BILL IS THE BOSS! (1965-1966)

CD 1
01. On The Sunny Side Of Th e Street
02. On Green Dolphin Street
03. Lil' Darlin'
04. Con Soul And Sax
05. The Jeep Is Jumpin,'
06. I'm Beginning To See Th e Light
07. Sophisticated Lady
08. Drop Me Off In Harlem
09. No One
10. Johnny Come Lately
11. Just Squeeze Me
12. It's Only A Paper Moon
13. Taff y
14. Good Queen Bess
15. L.B. Blues
16. In A Mellow Tone
17. Rockville

CD 2
01. I'll Always Love You
02. It Don't Mean A Thing
03. Belle Of The Belmont
04. Blues For Madeleine
05. When I'm Feeling Kinda Blue
06. Pyramid
07. Nonchalance
08. At Dawn
09. Th e Brown-Skin Gal In The Calico Gown
10. Stormy Weather
11. Rabbit Out Of Th e Hat
12. Hash Brown
13. Blue Notes*
14. Say It Again*
15. I Can't Believe Th at You're In Love With Me*
16. Broad Walk*
17. L.B. Blues*,
18. Sandy's Gone*
19. Candy's Theme*
20. The Caretakers Theme*
21. Again*

Featuring: Johnny Hodges, Wild Bill Davis, Lawrence Brown, Jimmy Hamilton, Kenny Burrell, Mundell Lowe, George Duvivier, Osie Johnson

The Johnny Hodges-Wild Bill Davis Project, Vol.1 The only 2-CD set of the series, comprises the only two albums in which Wild Bill Davis was the primary session leader, and in which his name preceded that of Hodges in the original cover art (Con-Soul & Jazz and Wild Bill Davis & Johnny Hodges in Atlantic City). These albums usually appear on jazz discographies under Wild Bill's name. In addition, we also have the album Blue Pyramid, in which Hodges' name is, as usual, the first one mentioned.
The three albums, recorded in '65 and '66, were the last small group albums by this amazing team. As fillers at the end of Disc Two are 5 songs from the Hodges album Blue Notes and the four tracks featuring both Hodges and Davis from the album "Sandy's Gone".

Wendy Waller

WENDY WALLER - TRACES OF GRACE (2009)

 

1.Get It Right
2.Yellow Moon
3.Trace Of Your Heart
4.Time Of The Season
5.Folding
6.I Like It Like That
7.I've Got To Use My Imagination
8.Little Angel
9.Be My Baby
10.No More

“Wendy Wallers new recording,Traces Of Grace is a wonderful blend of Jazz, New Orleans style grooves and American roots music. With a sparkling voice, melodic songs and great musicians, Wendy Waller has arrived as an artist with a vision for the future.

We'll Have Manhattan

WE'LL HAVE MANHATTAN - THE RODGERS & HART SONGBOOK)

 

1. Thou Swell - Joe Williams
2. This Can't Be Love - Shirley Horn
3. I Didn't Know What Time It Was - Anita O'day
4. Have You Met Miss Jones? - Louis Armstrong
5. Manhattan - Blossom Dearie
6. I Could Write A Book - Dinah Washington
7. My Funny Valentine - Sarah Vaughan
8. Blue Moon - Mel Torme
9. A Ship Without A Sail - Ella Fitzgerald
10. Mountain Greenery - Bing Crosby
11. You Took Advantage Of Me - Billie Holiday
12. Ten Cents A Dance - Frank Morgan Quartet
13. Falling In Love With Love - Helen Merrill
14. It Never Entered My Mind - Sarah Vaughan
15. Little Girl Blue - Nina Simone
16. The Lady Is A Tramp - Ella Fitzgerald

Warne Marsh

WARNE MARSH & KENNY DREW TRIO - I GOT ANEW ONE FOR YOU (2000)

 

1. I Got A Good One For You
2. Sophisticated Lady
3. On Green Dolphin Street
4. Sippin' At Bells
5. Everytime We Say Goodbye
6. Little Willie Leaps
7. Easy To Love
8. Body And Soul
9. Ornithology
10. Star Eyes
11. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

Featuring :
Kenny Drew (piano), Warne Marsh (saxophone), Bo Stief (bass), Aage Tanggaard

Wanda Warska

ANDRZEJ KURYLEWICZ & WANDA WARSKA (10" LP)

Rok, 1961

1.Moonray
2.Somnambulists
3.Stompin' at the Savoy
4.Lover man
5.You'd be so nice to come home to
6.But not for me
7.Ballada o straconej gazy (A ballad about a lost job)
8.Tubby

Wanda has a very sweet voice and Andrzej is a master at the piano. There are some instrumental tracks with Karolak on piano and Kurylewicz on trumpet, also nice. This is Polish Jazz royalty. He's one of the most complete musicians I've ever heard.

Wanda Sa

WANDA SÁ & BOSSA TRÊS - Self-Titled (2000)

 

01. Errinho À Tôa
02. Deixa Nega Gingar
03. Casa Forte
04. Se É Tarde Me Perdoa / Pra Machucar Meu Coração
05. Brisa do Mar
06. Light My Fire
07. Pode Ir
08. Zazueira
09. Moonlight / Garota de Ipanema
10. Estrada Do Sol / Foi a Noite
11. Amor Até O Fim
12. Canção Que Morre No Ar
13. Zanga,Zangada
14. Two Kityes / Fotografia / Eu Preciso De Você

Walter Jackson

WALTER JACKSON - TELL ME HERE IT HURTS (1981)

 

A1. Tell Me Where It Hurts .*
A2. When I See You .
A3. Never Sing The Song .
A4. At Last .
B1. Living Without You .
B2. Come To Me .
B3. What If I Walked Out On You .
B4. If It's Magic

Arranged By - Riley Hampton (tracks: A3-B4) , Tom Tom 84 (tracks: A1, A2)
Backing Vocals - Joni Berlmon , Rhonda Grayson , Theresa Davis

Wally Stott

WALLY STOTT - THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS (1954)

A1.There's No Business Like Show Business
A2.They Say It's Wonderful
A3.Easter Parade
A4.How Deep Is The Ocean?
B1.The Piccolino
B2.Always
B3.The Girl That I Marry
B4.A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody

Composed By – Irving Berlin
Directed By – Wally Stott

Voices of Christmas Past

Voices of Christmas Past (Recorded 1898 to 1922 Remastered)

01. Santa Claus Hides in the Phonograph (Ernest Hare, recorded 1922)
02. On A Christmas Morning (Prince's Orchestra, recorded 1911)
03. Sleigh Ride Party / Jingle Bells (Edison Male Quartette, recorded 1898)
04. Messiah - And the Glory of the Lord (Victor Mixed Chorus, recorded 1915)
05. Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Henry Burr, recorded 1907)
06. Silent Night, Hallowed Night (Haydn Quartet, recorded 1905)
07. Christmas Time at Pumpkin' Center (Cal Stewart, recorded 1905)
08. Christmas Hymns (Francis J. Lapitino, recorded 1917)
09. When the Christmas Chimes Are Ringing (Lewis James, recorded 1922)
10. The Star of Bethlehem (Harry MacDonough, recorded 1909)
11. Come and Spend Christmas With Me (Byron G. Harlan, recorded 1909)
12. Christmas Morning at Clancey's (Steve Porter, recorded 1922)
13. Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem (Trinity Choir, Recorded 1916)
14. Adeste Fideles (John McCormack and William Reitz, recorded 1915)
15. Night Before Christmas (Ernest Hare, recorded 1920)
16. Nutcracker Ballet: Chinese Dance/Dance of the Mirilitons (Victor Herbert's Orchestra, recorded 1913)
17. On A Good Old Time Sleigh Ride (Peerless Quartet, recorded 1913)
18. Angels from the Realms of Glory (Trinity Choir, recorded 1916)
19. While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night / Christians Awake (Trinity Quartet, recorded 1921)
20. Uncle Josh Plays Santa Claus (Cal Stewart, recorded 1907)
21. Christmas in Camp (Anonymous, recorded ca. 1917)
22. Noel (Holy Night) (Venetian Trio, recorded 1916)
23. Auld Lang Syne (Navada Van der Veer, recorded 1921)

The artists featured here were pioneer recordings artists whos names were well known in the era they lived. They helped start what is now known today as the record industry. They were popular artist in their time and there records sold well in an era when movies were silent and radio and television did not yet exists.

Of all things Christmas nothing is more traditional than the singing of carols and songs. Songs that capture in lyrics and in music the many traditions that we have at Christmas - the birth of the Christ child, the Christmas tree, the opening of gifts and even sleigh rides. Any well dressed sleigh ride featured those cheery sounding bells attached to the horse's harness. In fact one of the most beloved Christmas songs ever, "Jingle Bells" celebrates this sound and the spirit of a country sleigh ride.

On October 30, 1889 banjoist Will Lyle made history by recording "Jingle Bells", the very first Christmas record. Although no known copies of this record survive one of the earliest vocal examples of "Jingle Bells" does survive on an Edison brown wax cylinder entitled, "Sleigh Ride Party". It was made a decade later and is reissued here for the very first time in this collection. These songs and monologues from the original vintage recordings capture the essence of the Christmas spirit as it was in the opening two decades of the 20th Century.

So Gather up the family, wind up the phonograph and take a trip back in time to the early 1900's and celebrate the holidays with the "Voices of Christmas Past".

Viktor Lazlo (2)

Viktor Lazlo - My Delicious Poison (1991)

1. Teach Me To Dance
2. Ballad For Lisa
3. Love Insane
4. Pearl's A Singer
5. Lullaby
6. Men Of A Kind
7. Light And Dark
8. If I Could Love You More
9. Desir Fou
10. Easy To Lose
11. Poison

Backing Vocals – Alain Labaci*, Ann Calver*, Bruce Johnson, Carole Frederiks*, David Linx, Joniece Jamison, Luc Bertin, Marina Albert
Bass – Bernard Paganotti, Guy Delacroix, Jannick Top
Double Bass – M. M. Lebevillon*
Drums – F. Lazeau*, Philippe Leroux, Yves Sanna
Engineer – Manu Guyot*, Philippe Laffont, Philippe Mercier, Serge Pauchard
Guitar – Marco Papazian, Patrice Tison, Sebastion Santa Maria*
Keyboards – Franck Sitbon, J. M. Courtois*, Serge Peratonere*
Piano – M. Precastelli*
Producer – Bernard Lavilliers

VIKTOR LAZLO - SHE (1985)

1. She
2. Sweet, Soft N'Lazy
3. Ain't Gonna Come
4. Canoe Rose
5. Put The Blame On Mame
6. Don't Wanna Love Again
7. Pleurer des Rivieres
8. Last Call For An Angel
9. Slow Motion
10. Loser

Bass – F. Philipot*
Drums – Philar
Drums, Percussion – Jean Pierre Onraedt
Engineer – Phil Delire
Guitar – Michel Delory
Keyboards – Genael
Producer – J. P. Hawks
Saxophone – C. Bofane*, G. Cadiere*
Saxophone [Alto, Tenor] – P. Van Den Driesche
Saxophone [Alto] – Steve Houben
Saxophone [Tenor] – Pietro Lacirignola
Violin [Electric] – Danny Willems

Vikki Carr

VIKKI CARR - INTIMATE ECXITEMENT (1967)

 

01. Laila Ladaida
02. Going out of My Head
03. Toys
04. Meditation
05. Pretty Butterfly
06. Mas que Nada
07. Call Me
08. Once
09. The Constant Rain
10. Summer Samba
11. Insensatez
12. Manha de Carnaval
13. Now I Know the Felling

Victor Feldman (5)

VICTOR FELDMAN - PLAYS EVERYTHING IN SIGHT (1967)

01.You and Me -
02.Sure as You're Born -
03.The Sunset -
04.Do the Jake -
05.Geronimo -
06.This Door Swings Both Ways -
07.Have a Heart -
08.In the Mood -
09.By Myself -
10.Sunshine Superman -

Victor Feldman Piano, Keyboards, Vibraphone, Main Performer

VICTOR FELDMAN - THE ARRIVAL OF VICTOR FELDMAN (1958)

1. Serpent's Tooth
2. Waltz
3. Chasing Shadows
4. Flamingo
5. S'posin'
6. Bebop
7. There Is No Greater Love
8. Too Blue
9. Minor Lament
10. Satin Doll

Victor Feldman had first recorded as a leader when he was 13 and a swing-based drummer. In 1957, he moved from his native London to the United States, and by early 1958 (when he was 23) was in great demand as a pianist and vibraphonist. For his second American release and debut for the Contemporary label, Feldman is completely in the spotlight. Joined by the brilliant bassist Scott La Faro (whose playing is a strong reason to acquire the album) and drummer Stan Levey, Feldman performs a mostly boppish set including "Serpent's Tooth," "There Is No Greater Love," Dizzy Gillespie's "Bebop," a Chopin waltz and three of his diverse originals. An excellent showcase for the still-developing Victor Feldman. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Victor Feldman (vibraphone); Scott LaFaro (bass); Stan Levey (drums).

VICTOR FELDMAN - LOVE ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART (1964)

01 Love me with all your heart
02 I left my heart in San Francisco
03 Fly me to the moon
04 Valerie
05 Walk on the wild side
06 Hello Dolly
07 Girl from Ipanema
08 A taste of honey
09 On Green Dolphin Street
10 Moon river
11 Anna
12 New Delhi

Victor Feldman was a child prodigy who was a professional from the age of seven and sat in on drums with Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band in 1944 when he was ten. He was active in his native England through the bebop years (mostly on drums), debuting as a leader in 1948. By 1952, Feldman was getting better-known for his vibes playing and he recorded extensively during the 1950s. After touring with Woody Herman (1956-1957), he decided to move to the U.S. in 1957, where he worked at the Lighthouse with Howard Rumsey. Feldman recorded (on vibes and piano) for Mode, Contemporary, and Riverside during 1957-1961, a period in which he became a busy studio musician. Feldman was with Cannonball Adderley's Quintet (mostly as a pianist) for six months in 1960-1961 and recorded with Miles Davis in 1963 (who offered him a job with his new quintet and recorded his original "Seven Steps to Heaven"), but remained in L.A. and the studios. He cut jazz dates for Choice, Concord, Palo Alto, and TBA and in the 1980s up until his death he led a soulful crossover group (the Generation Band) that often featured his son, Trevor Feldman, on drums. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi

VICTOR FELDMAN - SUITE SIXTEEN (1955)

1. Cabaletto
2. Elegy
3. Suite Sixteen
4. Sonar
5. Big Top
6. Duffle Coat
7. Brawl For All
8. Sunshine On A Dull Day
9. Maenya

The late Victor Feldman was a tremendously talented jazz musician who never got his due, primarily because he spent his later years doing commercial studio work. But Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis appreciated Feldman’s skills enough to hire the London native; and this session, recorded shortly before his first visit to America, finds him displaying his multi-instrumental skills (on vibes, piano, drums, and congas) and writing for small and large groups. Among the other British stars featured are Dizzy Reece, Ronnie Scott, and Tubby Hayes.

with Derek Humble, Jimmy Deuchar, Dizzy Reece, Tommy Pollard, Lennie Bush, Tony Crombie, Eric Peter, Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes, Jimmy Watson, Jim Powell, and others

Vicky Lane

VICKY LANE - I SWING FOR YOU (1959)

 

 

01. The Trolley Song (Martin-Blane)
02. Our Very Own (Young-Elliott)
03. My Romance (Hart-Rodgers)
04. You Hit The Spot (Gordon-Revel)
05. Love isn't Born (It's Made) (Loesser-Schwartz)
06. My Heart Stood Still (Hart-Rodgers)
07. They Say It's Wonderful (Berlin)
08. The Song is You (Hammerstein-Kern)
09. Long Ago and Far Away (Gershwin-Kern)
10. I Love You (Porter)
11. Right as the Rain (Arlen-Harburg)
12. This Heart of Mine (Kalmar-Ruby)

Personnel: Pete Candoli, Barney Kessel, Johnny Williams, Joe Mondragon, Alvin Stoller, Larry Bunker, Milt Holland, Lou Singer, Ralph Hansell, Johnny Cyr, Gene Estes

This RCA Victor LP marked the recording debut of Vicky Lane, a native of Ireland who was also an actress. Although gifted with an attractive voice in the alto range, Lane evidently didn't make much of an impression with record buyers, as this also seems to be the only recording under her name. This doesn't mean this is a bad record; in fact, she shows a lot of promise for a first time recording artist, assisted by Pete Candoli's swinging arrangements and a supporting cast that also includes Jimmy Rowles, Barney Kessel, Alvin Stoller, and Joe Mondragon, along with a host of additional percussionists.

Vic Damone (5)

VIC DAMONE - LINGER AWHILE (1962)

1.Linger Awhile
2.Soft Lights and Sweet Music
3.Close Your Eyes
4.Deep Night
5.Stella by Starlight
6.One Love
7.Let's Face the Music and Dance
8.After the Lights Go Down Low
9.Change Partners
10.There! I've Said It Again
11.In the Still of the Night
12.When Lights Are Low

Vic Damone's first album for Capitol Records is also one of his best. Capitol brought Damone onboard to take the place of the defecting Frank Sinatra, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that Linger Awhile With Vic Damone is essentially a mid-tempo bedroom swinger that falls somewhere between Sinatra's trendsetting Songs for Swingin' Lovers! and his slow-dance burner Nice 'N' Easy. Thankfully, the album itself is good enough that it can be enjoyed on its own terms. Damone's voice is as beautiful as ever and he finds a nice balance between intimate romance and winking good humor. Likewise, the underrated arranger and guitarist Jack Marshall perfectly combines elements of both Nelson Riddle and Billy May's charts for Sinatra into a satisfying whole, though he throws in plenty of jazz guitar. The song selection is a bright mix of standards and less-familiar fare, the highlight being the boudoir romp "After the Lights Go Down Low," which, along with the album cover, lets listeners know that the album is really geared toward amorous conquests and romantic evenings at home. That's where the comparisons between Vic Damone and Frank Sinatra end, as Damone rarely shows the interpretive depth or personal introspection that Sinatra brings to similar material. If this is what stopped Vic Damone from being ranked with the top echelon of truly great 20th century vocalists, Damone's talents are never in doubt and it also ensures that this album is a whole lot of fun. So while even "upbeat" Sinatra albums such as Nice 'N' Easy or A Swingin' Affair! brim over with regret and pain, Linger Awhile With Vic Damone is what you'll want to put on to set the stage for a romantic evening. This album has been released on CD on a budget EMI two-for-one release with the similar My Baby Loves to Swing. ~ Nick Dedina, Rovi

VIC DAMONE - Sings / Closer Than A Kiss (1985)

Vic Damone Sings:

1. Out Of Nowhere
2. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
3. Ooooh, My Love
4. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
5. I Cried For You
6. Spring Is Here
7. Deep Purple
8. Toot, Toot, Tootsie
9. Swingin' Down The Lane
10.I Got It Bad

Closer Than A Kiss:

1. Closer Than A Kiss
2. I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
3. We Kiss In A Shadow
4. Cuddle Up A Little Closer
5. A Toujours
6. You And The Night And The Music
7. Prelude To A Kiss
8. How Deep Is The Ocean
9. Day By Day
10.As Time Goes By
11.Close As Pages In A Book

I don't think this one has ever been issued on CD. Indeed, it is labelled as a promotional product. In any case, Vic Damone was one of the finest popular singers of the 50's and 60's , so good that his career was still moving along towards the end of the last century. Now 83 years old he still keeps in touch with fans. Damone had many hits and was respected by his peers. Sinatra once said he had " the best set of pipes in the business". The voice is warm, smooth and very romantic, with an ease often matched to a swinging beat This double album varies in sound quality; mostly good but a couple of tracks are a little muffled in the original studio production. It's a nice album to put on and to settle down with a glass of wine and a special person, though!

VIC DAMONE - ANGELA MIA (1959)

Angela Mia
Tell Me You're Mine (Per un Bacio d'Amor)
Arrivederci, Roma
Just Say I Love Her
Non Dimenticar
O Sole Mio
You're Breaking My Heart
Serenade in the Light
Luna Rossa
I Have But One Heart
Anema E Core
Tell Me That You Love Me

Based on the beautiful, if somewhat bizarre, cover shot, listeners may expect this to be one of the weirder Vic Damone albums ever released. The sleeve pictures a downcast but dapper Damone looking so melancholy that he doesn't seem to notice that he inhabits a surreal world of Roman columns, multi-colored tapestries, and sexy beatniks recast as Italian maidens. It truly looks like a still from a movie collaboration between Michelangelo Antonioni, Salvador Dali, and a cadre of Madison Avenue hacks. Alas, Vic Damone was a lot of things during the 1950s, but neither eccentric nor bizarre were among them. That's not to say Angela Mia is a bad record, just not a very exciting one — especially if you're expecting an Italianate musical recasting of Camus' The Stranger. What Angela Mia does offer is a button-down view of white ethnicity aimed at 1950s Italian Americans and open-minded WASPs who want to take a bedroom tour of Italy from the safety of the suburbs. Thankfully, Vic Damone is the right man for this job. Damone has a gorgeous voice, a true feeling for Italian standards, and while he comes from the same American mean streets that produced Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, he projects the kind of country-club cool that Boston bluebloods have to go to prep school to learn. Damone doesn't possess Dino's easy good humor or goofy charisma on these Italian standards, but he's got great pipes and an intimate, romantic feeling for the material. With Angela Mia, Damone creates a Technicolor Hollywood version of Italy brimming over with eternal summers, factory-produced lunchmeats, and the promise of statuesque sex goddesses. And while the Italian social realism of The Bicycle Thief may be more "artistically satisfying," the languorous dream world that Damone paints with Angela Mia isn't really such a bad place to spend 45 minutes.

Vic Damone - That Towering Feeling! (1956)

 

01 - You Stepped Out Of A Dream
02 - Wait Till You See Her
03 - Out Of Nowhere
04 - The Song Is You
05 - Spring Is Here
06 - Let’s Fall In Love
07 - (When Your Heart’s On Fire) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
08 - Time On My Hands (You In My Arms)
09 - I’m Glad There Is You
10 - The Touch Of Your Lips
11 - All The Things You Are
12 - Cheek To Cheek


VIC DAMONE - STAY WITH ME (1966)

01 - Pretty Butterfly
02 - Meditation
03 - Once I Loved
04 - How Insensitive
05 - Girl from Ipanema
06 - You Are
07 - Stay with Me
08 - Someone to Light up my Fire
09 - Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars
10 - Shadow of your Smile
11 - Sinnig Sea
12 - Time for Love
13 - Flamingo

Veronika Harcsa

VERONIKA HARCSA - SPEAK LOW (2005)

 

1. Whisper Not
2. Look Of Love, The
3. I Put A Spell On You
4. Speak Low
5. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
6. What's New
7. After You've Gone
8. Parole Parole
9. Lullaby To An Anxious Child
10. All Blues
11. Nature Boy
12. La Belle Damme Sans Regrets

Veronika Harcsa was born in Budapest. During her schooling years she went to several music schools learning to play the piano, the saxophone, and studying classical/ jazz singing.
She graduated from the vocal jazz faculty of the Ferenc Liszt College of Music Budapest in June 2008.
She formed her own jazz quartet in 2005, featuring leading Hungarian jazz musicians (Attlia Blaho – piano, Zoltán Oláh – double bass, Bálint Majtényi – drums). In the very same year she produced and released her first jazz standard album titled Speak Low in Hungary.

Vera Lynn

VERA LYNN - WE'LL MEET AGAIN: Very Best Of (2009)

 

1. (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover
2. Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart
3. We'll Meet Again
4. Travellin' Home
5. As Time Goes By
6. Dream
7. Faraway Places
8. Harbour lights
9. It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow
10. If You Love Me
11. When You Hear Big Ben
12. Yours Vera Lynn
13. The Loveliest Night Of The Year
14. Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye
15. Half As Much - Isle Of Innisfree - You Belong To Me
16. Up The Wooden Hill To Bedfordshire
17. When I Grow Too Old To Dream
18. Medley: Somewhere Along The Way - Here In My Heart - Let The Rest Of The World Go By
19. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles Eric Rogers and his Orchestra
20. From The Time You Say Goodbye (The Parting Song)

After more than 60 years, the utterly distinctive timbre of Vera Lynn's voice still brings a special poignancy to these ballads of hope and heartache. We'll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn is a nostalgic collection of songs from the height of Dame Vera's popularity including her greatest hits: "We'll Meet Again", "The White Cliffs Of Dover", "Yours, It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow" and the immortal song "As Time Goes By" featured in the film hit of 1944 Casablanca. This new collection containing 24 of the most popular songs from her early years proved an instant hit with the UK reaching #1 on the UK charts. At 92, Dame Vera made chart history as the oldest artist to achieve such a feat. The Times (UK) declared, "It's official: Vera Lynn is bigger than the Beatles" while The Guardian noted Vera Lynn is "still our sweetheart." The Vera Lynn spirit has an optimistic and heartening message that proves timeless. Her songs have just as much relevance today as they did back when mankind plunged into the madness of WWII.

Valerie Day

VALERIE DAY & THE KNIGHTS OF SWING - BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT (2003)

1. Song Is You
2. Almost Like Being in Love
3. I Remember You
4. I'm Beginning to See the Light
5. Lover Man
6. Just in Time
7. I Cried for You
8. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
9. I've Got the World on a String
10. When I Fall in Love
11. The Gentleman Is a Dope
12. Big Spender
13. Nobody
14. That's All

Dynamic and self assured, Valerie Day has a voice that is evocative of another time, when sweet lyrical music was the norm, and singers were real musicians. Remembered for her work with the 1980's R&B/Dance band NU SHOOZ, Valerie has returned to her musical roots. On her newest recording, Beginning To See The Light, Valerie injects new life into a collection of standards from the Great American Songbook with impressive range and effortless delivery. From the opening track, a lyrical yet hard-swinging take on "The Song is You, " it's clear that a serious musician is at work. Backed by an impressive Big Band she has dubbed "The Knights of Swing", her voice is an integral part of the ensemble, riffing with the horns and sparring with the rhythm section with clear timbre and flawless intonation. Throughout the collection, there is no grandstanding in Valerie's approach, no superfluous displays of technique. Instead, like a seasoned jazz player, she searches for, and finds, the musical heart of each song. Her background as a percussionist comes through in her singing; in her subtle syncopations, skillful use of space and ability to flat-out swing. And when the tempo slows down, Valerie shines on classic ballads such as "That's All" and "When I Fall In Love," bringing the lyrics to life like a talented actress. She sums up the "Knights of Swing" project by saying. "Doing this record got me reconnected with the reason I do music in the first place - because it brings me joy." The Knights of Swing features some of the finest, most experienced jazz musicians in the world today. The rhythm section alone boasts an incredible lineup of talent, and all have backed quite an impressive line up of stars: Gary Hobbs on drums (the Stan Kenton Big Band, Anita O'Day, Tom Grant), Phil Baker on bass (Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Rosemary Clooney), George Mitchell on piano (Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Phyllis Diller), and John Smith on guitar (Nu Shooz, Suzanne Sommers). The sessions for Beginning to See the Light came about because of Valerie's love of jazz. Many years ago she discovered the voice of a jazz singer named Sarah Vaughn. Hers was the first of many voices that would influence Valerie's vocal style along with Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. This background set the stage for Valerie's musical odyssey and her later success in the world of pop music. In 1983 she recorded an R&B/Dance single for the band Nu Shooz. "I Can't Wait" became a smash hit in Europe and soon found it's way back to New York where it landed at the top of the charts. Nu Shooz went on to record several other hit singles, and after selling more than a million records world wide, was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy in 1987. Since then, Valerie has become one of a handful of female vocalists who also play every type of exotic percussion instrument known. She is a sought after session player and has performed or recorded as a percussionist and or vocalist with Obo Addy's band Kukrudu, the Oregon Symphony Pops, Woody Hite Big Band, Tom Grant, Michael Allen Harrison, David Frischberg, Craig Carothers and many others as well as recording for regional and national radio commercials. The proceeds from Beginning To See the Light will benefit arts education in schools so that every child will have a chance to explore their own unique means of self expression.

Una Mae Carlisle (3)

UNA MAE CARLISLE 1944-1950 (2002)

1. The Rest Of My Life
2. That Glory Day
3. That's My Man
4. If It Ain't Mine
5. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby
6. Throw It Out Of Your Mind
7. Stop Goin' Through The Motions
8. Tonight Be Tender To Me
9. Ohi-Ohio Boogie
10. Frenzy
11. I Bought Myself A Book
12. The Best Idea You Had
13. Mad About Love
14. We've All Got A Lesson To Learn
15. Three Little Bugs
16. Tired Hands
17. Strange
18. Long
19. Gone
20. There's Something About The Boogie / A One Minute Journey To Boogieland / Una's Boogie
21. A Rhythm Mood / Escape To Nowhere / Jumpin' With The Stars
22. Troubled Waters / War / Democracy Triumphant
23. The Great Mesmer / Hypnotized /Piano Magic
24. Forgive Me For Getting Forgetful / Good Better Best / Baby Please Be Good To Me
25. Do / Doodle Doo / Perfectly

UNA MAE CARLISLE 1941-1944 (2002)

1. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
2. It Ain't Like That
3. Anything
4. City Called Heaven
5. I'm The One Who Loves You
6. My Wish
7. Coffee And Cakes
8. Moonlight Masquerade
9. Don't Tetch It !
10. So Long, Shorty
11. I'm Tryin'
12. Sweet Talk
13. 'Tain't Yours
14. Without You Baby
15. I'm A Good, Good, Woman
16. Ain't Nothin' Much
17. I Like It, 'Cause I Love It
18. You Gotta Take Your Time
19. He's The Best Little Yankee To Me
20. I Speak So Much About You
21. Teasin' Me
22. You And Your Heart Of Stone
23. You're Gonna Change Your Mind
24. I've Got A Crying Need For You

For the best introduction to the music of Una Mae Carlisle, consult her 1938-1941 recordings (Classics 1209). Thrust into the limelight by her friend Fats Waller, Carlisle established herself as an able pianist, vocalist and leader of small swing bands, relinquishing her place at the piano in 1941 and '42 in order to concentrate on presenting herself as a singer. Backed by pianist Billy Kyle and the John Kirby Sextet, she delivered quite a number of sentimental songs and a handful of upbeat novelties. It's important to bear in mind the fact that during this time she was grappling with the debilitating effects of mastoiditis, a painful malady brought on by an infection of the inner ear. This may account for the fact that on many of these sides the singer sounds somewhat tentative, less focused and lacking the full power of her earlier recordings. "Don't Tetch It!" turned out spunky because it was a spunky number to begin with. "It Ain't Like That" is an upbeat bounce, loosely garnished with "hep-talk" lyrics. "So Long, Shorty" is addressed to a soldier who is headed for Tokyo. After the end of the notoriously inconvenient and historically frustrating recording ban that began in 1942, Una Mae Carlisle found herself eliminated from the roster of Bluebird recording artists. Securing work with the tiny Joe Davis label, she went back to singing from the piano. The material seems stronger than what she'd been trying to pull off with Bluebird. "'Tain't Yours" is based in a solid groove, and swings accordingly. Ray Nance shines and Budd Johnson blows his tenor sax lustily. Both men spruce up "I'm A Good, Good Woman" with notably expressive solos. Even the slow numbers from 1944 are substantial, more soulful and less flimsy than before. Una sounds healthier and more mature. Operating the piano obviously kept her in touch with the band's collective thought processes. "Take Your Time" works well, "Best Little Yankee" fulfills a wartime thematic obligation, and "I Speak So Much" holds its own largely because of the amazing trumpet and sax solos. This volume of the chronological Carlisle closes with a session from the end of August 1944. The band is said to be comprised of Bob Crosby bandmembers, which is another way of saying that Una fell in with the Eddie Condon Mob. From here her career led to radio and television appearances, in addition to further phonograph recordings. These may be heard on the final volume of Carlisle 's recordings (Classics 1265), covering the years 1944 through 1950. ~ arwulf arwulf, Rovi

UNA MAE CARLISLE - CLASSICS (1938-1941)

1. Don't try your jive on me

2.I would do anything for you

3.Hangover blues

4.Love wakled in

5.Mean to me

6.I'm crazy 'bout my baby

7.I can't give you anything but love, baby

8.Now I lay me down to dream

9.Papa's in bed with his britches on

10.If I had you

11.You made me love you

12.Walkin' by the river

13.I met you then, I know you now

14.Blitzkrieg baby

15.Beautiful eyes

16.There'll be some changes made

17.It's sad but true

18.I see a million people

19.Oh I'm evil

20.You mean so much to me

21.The booglie wooglie piggy