Introducing the Beautiful + Ceil Clayton (2 LP on 1 CD)

Best Voices Time Forgot

Personnel:
Nikki Price (vcl), Fred Carlin, Joe Say (dir, arr), Ceil Clayton (p, vcl), Dave Mortland (g), Vic Cipponeri (b), Rich O’Donell, Dave Rich (d)

Reference: FSR V149 CD

Bar code: 8427328641494

Info
Tracklist
Album details
Press

The Best Voices Time Forgot
Collectible Albums by Top Female Vocalists

· Collector's Edition
· 2 LPs on 1 CD
· Bonus Tracks
· Original Cover Art
· Original liner Notes
· Stereo / Hi Fi Recordings
· Newly Remastered in 24-Bit

Introducing the Beautiful
Nikki Price came to the attention of legendary producer John Hammond in an unusual way: she simply walked into the Columbia studios with her pianist, Joe Say, sang one song, and was soon invited back to make an audition tape. The result was Nikki, her first and only album, recorded in New York in 1962 with orchestras conducted by Fred Karlin and Joe Say. Already an experienced television and nightclub performer, Price brought to the studio the warmth and intimacy of a supper-club singer, together with a natural understanding of lyrics, moving effortlessly from tender ballads to witty, light-hearted songs.

Ceil Clayton
Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1925, Ceil Clayton began playing piano and singing on local radio while still a child. After studying at the New England Conservatory, she settled in St. Louis in 1946, eventually becoming a featured performer at Mr. D’s in the city’sl ively Gaslight Square. A natural, engaging performer with a smoky voice and an easy swing at the piano, Clayton built her repertoire around standards and seldom-heardsongs. This recording captures the warmth, musicianship and personality that made her a favorite with St.Louis audiences.

Tracklist

01. Would'Ja for a Big Red Apple (Souvaine-Miller-Mercer) 2:50
02. I'm A Stranger to Myself (Lew Spence-Alan Bergman) 2:43
03. If I Were a Bell (Frank Loesser) 3:19
04. A Thousand Blue Bubbles (Carlo A.Rossi–Bart Howard) 2:48
05. Fools Rush In (Bloom-Mercer) 3:53
06. Show Me (Loewe-Lerner) 3:16
07. Peel Me A Grape (Dave Frishberg) 3:09
08. My Love Is a Wanderer (Bart Howard) 2:59
09. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (Cole Porter) 2:58
10. My Man's Gone Now (Gershwin-Heyward) 4:24
11. You Look Like Someone (Charles DeForest) 3:13
12. Sweet Pumpkin (Ronnell Bright) 2:48
13. You Meet the Nicest People in Your Dreams (Hoffman-Goodhart-Kurtz) 1:59
14. Little Girl Blue (Rodgers-Hart) 2:57
15. You Don't Have to Be Baby to Cry (Bob Merrill -Terry Shand) 2:01
16. Never Leave Your Sugar (Standing in The Rain) (Al Lewis-Arthur Berman) 2:27
17. Coney Island Washboard (Durand-Adams-Shugart-Nestor) 2:05
18. That's All (Bob Haymes-Alan Brandt) 2:55
19. I Want a Little Boy (Murray Mencher-Billy Moll) 2:16
20. I Left My Heart in San Francisco (George Cory-Douglass Cross) 2:38
21. A Trout, No Doubt (Phillip Kadison-Thomas B. Howell) 2:23
22. The Alley Cat Song (Jack Harlen-Bent Fabric) 2:38
23. Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home (Hughie Cannon) 2:43
24. Must You Go (Unkown) 2:14

Album details

Sources:
Tracks #1-12, from the Nikki Price album “Introducing the Beautiful” (Epic EPSP 26005)
Tracks #13-24, from the Ceil Clayton album “Ceil Clayton” (Norman NL 300)

Nikki Price, vocals

Accompanied by Orchestras Conducted by Fred Karlin (#1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9),
and Joe Say (#3, 5, 10, 11, 12).
Recorded in New York City, 1962

Ceil Clayton, piano & vocals, with Her Trio:

Vic Cipponeri, bass; Dave Mortland, guitar; Rich O’Donell or Dave Rich, drums.
Recorded in St. Louis, MO, 1960

Original recordings produced by John Hammond (#1-12)
and Norman Wienstroer (#13-24)
Original liner notes by John Hammond & Charles Meneses
This compilation produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
© & ℗ 2026 by Fresh Sound Records

Mono · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas S.L.