Dee Bell

DEE BELL WITH STAN GETZ & EDDIE DURAN - LET THERE BE LOVE (1982)

By Simon Morley. Thank you very much.

1 There's a Lull in My Life (Gordon, Revel)     4:43
2 Let There Be Love (Grant, Rand)     3:30
3 This Life We've Led (Algren, Landesman, Wolf) 3:31
4 Waltz for Debby (Evans, Lees) 3:54
5 You Must Believe in Spring (Bergman, Bergman, Demy, Legrand) 4:37
6 Give Me One More Chance (Duran) 4:22
7 Reminiscing in Tempo (Ellington) 4:48
8 Living Inside My Mind     (Duran)    4:13
9 Just Because We're Kids (Hollander, Suess ) 4:10

Vinyl Rip from Concord Jazz CJ-206

This is one of two albums on which Stan Getz drops by to record with songstress Dee Bell and superb San Francisco guitarist Eddie Duran, who was to become Bell's husband. Getz apparently enjoyed working with singers, often willing to give up top billing, such as in his backing of Diane Schuur and Abbey Lincoln on their albums. Bell, Duran, and Getz are joined by a group of solid West Coast players who contribute to this pleasing to listen to session.
Duran did all arranging for this set. His Brazilian orchestration of the ballad "There's a Lull in My Life" is especially noteworthy. But all in all the instrumentation is uncomplicated making this a fairly straightforward recording. Bell gives a tip of the vocal hat to the late singer Irene Kral with "This Life We've Led." Bell has a very pleasant voice. Nothing unique nor sensational, but stamped with good diction, fair range and knowledgeable phrasing. Although it wouldn't be a calamity if it didn't happen, this LP is worthy to be considered for reissue as a CD. Dave Nathan

Dee Bell (v), Charlie McCarthy, Jr. (as), Stan Getz (ts), Jim Dukey (bar), Cal Lewiston (t), Chuck Bennett (tb), Eddie Duran (g), Al Planck (p), Rob Fisher, James Leary, Dean Reilly (b), Vince Lateano (d), Willie Colon (cga),