Frances Faye (3)

FRANCES FAYE - SINGS FOLK SONGS (1957)

1. Frankie and Johnny    
2. Greensleeves    
3. Skip to My Lou    
4. Lonesome Road    
5. Medley: Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen/Deep River/Goin' Home    
6. Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier    
7. St. James Infirmary
8. Go 'Way from My Window    
9. The Three Ravens    
10. Clementine     Listen
11. Medley: Oif'n Pripitchik/Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish ...)
12. John Henry    
13. Frankie and Johnny [Alternate Take]
14. Lonesome Road [Alternate Take]
15. Go 'Way from My Window [Alternate Take]
16. Clementine [Alternate Take]
17. John Henry [Alternate Take]

Frances Faye was a spirited middle-of-the-road pop/cabaret singer. During 1955-1957 she was one of Bethlehem's few non-jazz artists although being with that label resulted in her interacting with veteran jazz musicians. In 1957 when it looked like folk music was going to be the next big trend (it would be, but not until the early '60s), she recorded a set of traditional melodies while accompanied by brass and string orchestra arranged by Russ Garcia that included West Coast jazz players (including Maynard Ferguson, Don Fagerquist, and Frank Rosolino). Faye was not the most subtle of singers but she sounds quite expressive on such numbers as "Frankie and Johnny," "St. James Infirmary," "John Henry," a variety of ancient folk songs, and even "Clementine." Five previously unreleased alternate takes round out this intriguing program.

FRANCES FAYE - RELAXIN´WITH FRANCES FAYE

Bethlehem, 1956

Love is just around the corner
I'm gonna sit right down
Don't blame me
Ain't misbehavin'
All the things you are,
Darktown strutter's ball
Just you just me
You're my thrill
My baby just cares for me
Well allright
The thrill is gone
Way down yonder in New Orleans

Frances Faye (vcl), Bernie Glow, Nick Travis, Don Leigh (trumpet), Harry Divito, Phil Giacobbe (tb), Leon Cohen (alto sax), Herbie Mann (tenor sax) (fl), Allen Eager (tenor sax), Hy Mandell (bs), Don Trenner (piano), Sal Salvador (guitar), Oscar Pettiford (bass), Shadow Wilson (drum)

FRANCES FAYE - NO RESERVATIONS

Label: Capitol
Orig Year: 1955

1. Drunk With Love
2. Summertime
3. Mad About The Boy
4. Miss Otis Regrets (She's Unable To Lunch Today)
5. Sometimes I'm Happy
6. I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
7. The Man I Love
8. You're Heavenly
9. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
10. A Hundred Years From Today
11. Night And Day
12. Tweet Tweet Tweetheart

Though the nightclub entertainer Frances Faye's act may have seemed racy in her 1950s heyday, nowadays her act would be regarded as pure camp. She was a fine singer and pianist, and her jazzy covers of "Mad About the Boy," "Miss Otis Regrets," and "I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" are fresh-sounding and vibrant. Her conductor Dave Cavanaugh's simple yet effective musical arrangements match her uninhibited vocal style. This reissue also includes a variety of Faye's '50s singles, and a previously unreleased recording of "When Love Comes Knocking."