Anita O'Day had many fine groups to back her ever since she began lining out jazz, and this collection, recorded at the peak of her career, is a fine example of this statement, considering she's accompanied by orchestras arranged and conducted by such talented bandleaders as Bill Holman, and Russ Garcia.
In every setting, she sings with superb phrasing, and unique inflections. She exhibits her characteristic comprehension of the lyrics, as well as the melody, without becoming a slave to either. She has an uncanny ability to bend and mold a syllable or word into a meaningful musical experience, capriciously individualizing each tune by altering introduction, tempo, or mood.
The albums you are holding are, without a doubt, two of Anita's best.
Tracklist
Total time: 80:05 min.
01. It Could Happen to You (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:34
02. Blue Champagne (Watts-Ryerson) 2:34
03. Avalon (Ross-Jolson-DeSylva) 2:11
04. Old Devil Moon (Lane-Harburg) 3:00
05. The Party's Over (Styne-Green-Comden) 3:10
06. Why Shouldn't I? (Cole Porter) 3:06
07. Easy Living (Robin-Rainger) 3:16
08. Can't We Be Friends (Swift-Warburg) 2:15
09. Slaughter on the 10th Avenue (Rodgers-Hart) 5:48
10. If I Love Again (Oakland-Murray) 2:47
11. Speak Low (Weil-Nash) 3:02
12. Indian Summer (Herbert-Dubin) 3:15
13. Yesterdays (Kern-Harbach) 5:10
14. Mad About the Boy (Noel Coward) 3:25
15. That Old Feeling (Brown-Fain) 2:26
16. Waiter, Make Mine Blues (Biondi-O'Day) 3:20
17. When Sunny Gets Blue (Fischer-Segal) 3:04
18. Angel Eyes (Dennis-Brent) 3:38
19. Whatever Happened to You? (Cohn-Garlock-Wasserman) 4:41
20. A Blues Serenade (Grande-Lytell-Signorelli-Parish) 3:00
21. The Thrill Is Gone (Brown-Henderson) 2:12
22. Detour Ahead (Ellis-Frigo-Carter) 4:22
23. Goodbye (Gordon Jenkins) 3:38
24. Stella by Starlight (Young-Washington) 2:49
Album details
Sources:
Tracks #1-12, originally issued on the album "Incomparable!" (Verve V 8572 and V6-8572)
Tracks #13-24 originally issued on the album "Waiter, Make Mine Blues" (Verve MGV 2145 and V6-2145)
Anita O'Day, sings vocals in all tracks
Personnel on "Incomparable!":
Orchestra arranged and conducted by Bill Holman
Al Porcino, Ray Triscari, Conte Candoli, Lee Katzman, Stu Williamson (tp), Bob Edmondson, Lew McCreary, Frank Rosolino (tb), Kenny Shroyer (b-tb), Joe Maini, Charlie Kennedy (as), Bill Perkins, Richie Kamuca (ts), Jack Nimitz (bs), Lou Levy (p), Al Hendrickson (g), Joe Mondragon (b), Mel Lewis (d).
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, August, 16 (#1-3), August 18 (#4-6), August, 23 (#7-12), 1960
Personnel on "Waiter, Make Mine Blues":
Orchestra arranged and conducted by Russ Garcia
Tracks #13-16 & 21-24: Harry Betts, Dick Nash, Frank Rosolino, Dave Wells (tb), Kenny Shroyer (b-tb), Bud Shank (as, fl), Geoff Clarkson (p), Howard Roberts (g), Al McKibbon (b), Mel Lewis (d).
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, August 1 (#13-16), October 7 (#21-24), 1960
Tracks #17-20: String orchestra arranged and conducted by Russ Garcia, featuring Bud Shank (as, fl), Barney Kessel (g).
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, October 4, 1960
All sessions originally produced by Norman Granz
Reissue produced by Jordi Pujol and 'Beethoven' Jean-Michel Reisser
This compilation © & ℗ 2011 by Fresh Sound Records
Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas S.L.
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