June Christy (4)

JUNE CHRISTY & STAN KENTON - TAMPICO (1998)

1. Tampico    
2. It's Been a Long, Long Time    
3. Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'    
4. Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy    
5. I Been Down in Texas    
6. Easy Street
7. On the Sunny Side of the Street    
8. Rika Jika Jack    
9. I Got the Sun in the Morning    
10. He's Funny That Way    
11. Come Rain or Come Shine    
12. Ain't No Misery in Me    
13. Willow Weep for Me
14. Four Months, Three Weeks, Two Days, One Hour Blues
15. It's a Pity to Say Goodnight    
16. His Feet's Too Big for de Bed    
17. Don't Want That Man Around    
18. Across the Alley from the Alamo    
19. The Spider and the Fly    
20. Please Be Kind    
21. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)    
22. Soothe Me    
23. Curiosity    
24. I Told Ya I Love Ya, Now Get Out
25. He Was a Good Man as Good Men Go

June Christy has long been one of our customers’ favorite female singers, so we thought we’d offer a selection of live and studio performances from a momentous period in her career, her first year (1945) with Stan Kenton’s band (in fact, on the first track here, you can hear the announcer introduce Stan’s new vocalist, June Christy)!

BOB CROSBY ORCHESTRA WITH GUESTS: JUNE CHRISTY & POLLY BERGEN (1990)

1. It Had To Be You
2. Lover Jack Teagarden
3. Ostrich Walk
4. My Baby Just Cares For Me
5. Over The Waves
6. Love Is Just Around The Corner
7. Song Of The Islands
8. Exactly Like You
9. Skater's Waltz
10. Willow Weep For Me
11. Aunt Haggar's Blues
12. Let's Fall In Love
13. She's Funny That Way
14. Tales From Hoffman
15. Wolverine Blues
16. Fidgety Feet

This 1990 CD has previously unreleased performances from two versions of the Bob Crosby Orchestra in the 1950's. Although not "the most popular orchestra of the 1950s" (as claimed on its back cover), the Crosby ensemble was still pretty strong, although no longer a full-time big band. The 16 performances often sound as if the applause was added later on. The leader has four OK vocals; Polly Bergen guests on a slow rendition of "Let's Fall in Love," and June Christy sings "Love Is Just Around the Corner" and "Willow Weep for Me." More important, though, are the many soloists, who include tenor saxophonist Eddie Miller, clarinetist Matty Matlock (who may be responsible for some of the arrangements), trumpeters Charlie Teagarden and Dick Catchart, and (on the earlier dates) trombonist Jack Teagarden, who has "Lover" as his showcase. Among the other selections recorded by the spirited Dixieland-oriented big band are "Ostrich Walk," "Over the Waves," "Wolverine Blues" and "Skater's Waltz." A rarity that Bob Crosby fans will want. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

JUNE CHRISTY - RECALLS THOSE KENTON DAYS (1959)

1. Just A Sittin´ And A Rockin´
2. Hundred Years From Today
3. Lonesome Road
4. She´s Funny That Way
5. It´s A Pity To Say Goodbye
6. Willow Weep For Me
7. Easy Street
8. Across The Alley From Alamo
9. Come Rain Or Come Shine
10. How High The Moon

During a near-decade-long run, June Christy's soaring and bright vocals proved to be ideal for the Stan Kenton band's modern and idiosyncratic jazz charts. Thanks to Pete Rugolo and Bob Cooper's increasingly tailor-made arrangements, Christy soon became the star attraction of the group and eventually cashed in on her own with a string of fine solo LPs. Released after her classic Something Cool and The Misty Miss Christy albums, this ten-song solo collection is comprised of updated Christy-Kenton favorites like "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin," "Across the Alley from the Alamo," and "The Lonesome Road." Nearly matching his stellar work on many earlier Christy albums, Rugolo handles the charts and conducts a large group of Kenton veterans like Cooper, drummer Shelly Manne, and trombonists Milt Bernhardt and Frank Rosolino. Other jazz luminaries such as guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Red Callender, trumpeter Russ Freeman, and saxophonist Paul Horn round out the band. June Christy Recalls Those Kenton Days might not rate with Something Cool or The Misty Miss Christy as a first-disc choice, but it is still a must for serious June Christy fans. Stephen Cook, All Music Guide

JUNE CHRISTY - SOMETHING COOL (1953)

1.Something Cool See All
2.It Could Happen To You            
3.Lonely House     
4.This Time The Dream's On Me         
5.The Night We Called It A Day        
6.Midnight Sun        
7.I'll Take Romance
8.A Stranger Called the Blues    
9.I Should Care            
10.Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise            
11.I'm Thrilled S

June Christy (November 20, 1925 – June 21, 1990), born Shirley Luster, was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a solo career from 1954 and is best known for her debut album Something Cool. After her death, she was hailed as "one of the finest and most neglected singers of her time.