Anita Kerr (2)

ANITA KERR - And Now... The Anita Kerr Orchestra (1966)

1. Spanish Harlem
2. Sweetie Baby
3. Sermonette
4. This Land Is Your Land
5. I Almost Lost My Mind
6. Susie
7. Over The Rainbow
8. That's Life
9. Conte Sulla Spiaggia
10. Firefly

In the 1950s and early '60s, arranger Anita Kerr and her aggregate of backing vocalists helped to define "the Nashville Sound" -- having supported the likes of Eddy Arnold, Perry Como, Floyd Cramer, Red Foley, Jim Reeves, Hank Snow, and Roy Orbison. Along with the Anita Kerr Singers, she re-scored and re-recorded a number of concurrent crossover country and pop singles. Released in 1966, And Now...The Anita Kerr Orchestra! was the first of five long-players that would bear her name during a brief but prolific run on Warner Bros. Records. It was likewise the only one to credit the Anita Kerr Orchestra, as opposed to the usual Anita Kerr Singers moniker. Her previous tenure in the music business gave her great insight into selecting and recasting the better-known tunes. Rather than a large and pompous display, she gives a refreshing lightness to the update of "Spanish Harlem," which absorbs just enough Latin influence to be effective

ANITA KERR - MUSIC IS HER NAME (1972)

1. Lullaby of Birdland
2. Makin' Whoopee
3. How Deep Is the Ocean?
4. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
5. I'm Getting Sentimental over You
6. Take the "A" Train
7. Blues in the Night
8. Begin the Beguine
9. Sentimental Journey
10. 'Round Midnight
11. String of Pearls
12. I'll Never Smile Again
13. Early Autumn
14. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
15. I Get Along Without You Very Well
16. It's All Right with Me
17. I'm Glad There Is You
18. Party's Over

Music Is Her Name is a compilation of two 1972 albums The Anita Kerr Singers originally recorded for Phillips Records. The 18 tracks account for all but three songs from the album Sentimental Journey and all but one song from the album 'Round Midnight. Kerr's albums are often thematic, as is the case with both Sentimental Journey and 'Round Midnight. She recorded both albums in London around the same time with a similar selection of classic pop and jazz numbers, so the recordings blend together as one on this collection. Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, and Irving Berlin provide classic songbook selections such as "Begin the Beguine," "I Get Along Without You Very Well," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," and "How Deep Is the Ocean." Kerr's mixed chorus engages in some wordless vocalizing similar to the Swingle Singers on "String of Pearls," while Kerr sings "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" and "'Round Midnight" mostly solo. Aside from Kerr's vocal showcases, the singers' hermetically-sealed harmonies are in evidence throughout, particularly on a flawless performance of "Blues in the Night." Some of the instrumental arrangements swing with a horn section, but most are conducted as '70s-style soft pop instead of the jazz or traditional pop styles usually associated with this material. The packaging gives no indication as to the origin or vintage of the material, and might have proven more appealing to prospective buyers if it had. ~ Greg Adams, All Music Guide