Billy Eckstine (5)

BILLY ECKSTINE - I AM A SINGER (1984)

Shared by my dear friend Simon Morley. Thanks, honey.

01. The Shadow Of Your Smile
02. I Cover The Waterfront
03. Hello
04. Indian Summer
05. As Time Goes By
06. I Had The Craziest Dream
07. I Am A Singer
08. Try A Little Tenderness
09. If I Never Sing Another Song
10. Pretty One

Personnel:
Billy Eckstine - (vocals), Eddie Daniels - (tenor sax), Jay Berliner - (guitar), Phil Bodner - (reeds), Angelo Di Pippo - (synthesizer), "Toots" Thielemans - (harmonica)

The incomparable voice of vocalist Billy Eckstine is featured on a programme of classic jazz standards. He is backed by a stellar group of musicians including Eddie Daniels on tenor sax and Toots Thielemans on harmonica.
Vocalist Billy Eckstine's career stretched from 1938, when he was recruited as vocalist with the Earl hines band, until his death in 1993. He spent most of that period as a soloist fronting his own groups, finding much MOR success but always with a jazz flavour.
This 1980's recording features his incomparable voice with a programme of classic jazz standards. He is backed by a stellar group of musicians including Eddie Daniels on tenor sax, and Toots Thielemans on harmonica.

Vinyl Rip>WAV>CR20>FLAC>MP3@320

BILLY ECKSTINE - THE GOLDEN HITS OF (1963)

By Sablon. Very good album, thanks my friend.

1. Caravan

2. I apologize

3. Somehow

4. Blue moon

5. Prisoner of love

6. My foolish heart

7. Everythng I have is yours

8. My destiny

9. I'm falling in love

10. Coquette

11. No orchids for my lady

12. Bewildered

SARAH VAUGHAN & BILLY ECKSTINE -
                                                                                          The Irving Berlin Songbook (1957)

1. Alexander's Ragtime Band
2. Isn't This a Lovely Day?
3. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
4. All of My Life
5. Cheek to Cheek
6. You're Just in Love
7. Remember
8. Always
9. Easter Parade
10. The Girl That I Marry
11. Now It Can Be Told

Review by Stephen Cook
Sarah Vaughan's heavenly vocalizing and Billy Eckstine's velvety deep tone proved an ideal match during the late '40s and throughout the '50s. This 1957 Irving Berlin collection qualifies as the high point of that collaboration. Sometimes surpassing their splendid solo sides, Vaughan and Eckstine obviously revel in each other's company here, seamlessly blending their voices on most every track. Draped in Hal Mooney's fine and unobtrusive charts, the singers particularly shine on such well-tread Berlin fare as "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" and "Cheek to Cheek"; there are equally splendid readings of the rarely covered "Easter Parade" and "Now It Can Be Told" as well. A highlight from the land of vintage vocal jazz.

Sarah Vaughan- Vocals
Billy Eckstine- Vocals
Harry "Sweets" Edison- Trumpet
Hal Mooney- Arranger, Conductor

BILLY ECKSTINE - STORMY (1971)

A1.Just A Little Loving (Early In The Morning)
A1.What The World Needs Now Is Love
A2.Name Of My Sorrow
A3.Stormy
B1.My Cherie Amour
B2.When You Look In The Mirror (You'Re Looking At The One I Love)
B3.The Luckiest Man In The World
B4.I Wanna Be Your Baby

Arranged By – Dale Warren, Isaac Hayes
Arranged By [Vocals] – Pat Lewis
Backing Band [Rhythm Section] – Bar-Kays
Producer – Isaac Hayes

BILLY ECKSTINE - SINGS WITH BENNY CARTER (1986)

1.You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
2.My Funny Valentine
3.Here's That Rainy Day
4.Summertime
5.A Kiss from You
6.Memories of You
7.I've Got the World on a String
8.Now That I Need You
9.Over the Rainbow
10.September Song
11.Autumn Leaves
12.Didn't We

Billy Eckstine's final recording (although he would live until 1993) finds the 72-year old singer showing his age. Mr. B's famous baritone voice at this late date only hints at his earlier greatness although his phrasing and enthusiasm uplift what could have been a depressing affair. Ironically altoist Benny Carter (who was 79) still sounds in his prime on alto and he takes an effective trumpet solo on "September Song." Singer Helen Merrill opens and closes the set by interacting vocally with Eckstine on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and "Didn't We." Eckstine, backed by a trio headed by his longtime pianist Bobby Tucker, does his best on such
songs as "My Funny Valentine," "Memories of You" and "Autumn Leaves" but his earlier recordings are the ones to get.