Browse Titles - 78 results
I Loves You, Porgy
composed by Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937 and DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940; conducted by Hal Mooney and Horace Ott; performed by Lisle Atkinson, 1940-, Bobby Hamilton, fl. 1960, Al Schackman, fl. 1958, Rudy Stevenson, 1929-2010 and Nina Simone, 1933-2003, Hal Mooney's Orchestra; in After Hours (Universal Classics & Jazz, 1995), 3 mins
Sample
composed by Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937 and DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940; conducted by Hal Mooney and Horace Ott; performed by Lisle Atkinson, 1940-, Bobby Hamilton, fl. 1960, Al Schackman, fl. 1958, Rudy Stevenson, 1929-2010 and Nina Simone, 1933-2003, Hal Mooney's Orchestra; in After Hours (Universal Classics & Jazz, 1995), 3 mins
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Hal Mooney's Orchestra, Lisle Atkinson, 1940-, Bobby Hamilton, fl. 1960, Al Schackman, fl. 1958, Rudy Stevenson, 1929-2010, Nina Simone, 1933-2003
Contributor
Hal Mooney, Horace Ott
Author / Creator
Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937, DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940, Hal Mooney's Orchestra, Lisle Atkinson, 1940-, Bobby Hamilton, fl. 1960, Al Schackman, fl. 1958, Rudy Stevenson, 1929-2010, Nina Simone, 1933-2003
Date Published / Released
1995-04-13
Publisher
Universal Classics & Jazz
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All Or Nothing At All: The Billie Holiday Story Vol.7
performed by Billie Holiday, 1915-1959, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Ben Webster, 1909-1973, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004 and Red Mitchell (Universal Classics & Jazz, 1996), 2 hours 16 mins
Sample
performed by Billie Holiday, 1915-1959, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Ben Webster, 1909-1973, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004 and Red Mitchell (Universal Classics & Jazz, 1996), 2 hours 16 mins
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Billie Holiday, 1915-1959, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Ben Webster, 1909-1973, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Red Mitchell
Author / Creator
Billie Holiday, 1915-1959, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Ben Webster, 1909-1973, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Red Mitchell
Date Published / Released
1996-01-12
Publisher
Universal Classics & Jazz
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The Best Of Ella Fitzgerald And Louis Armstrong On Verve
conducted by Russell Garcia; performed by Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Trummy Young, 1912-1984, Edmond Hall, 1901-1967, Billy Kyle, 1914-1966, Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007, Ray Brown, 1926-2002, Louie Bellson, 1924-2009, Buddy Rich, 1917-1987 and Barrett Deems (Universal Classics & Jazz, 1997), 1 hour 8 mins
Sample
conducted by Russell Garcia; performed by Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Trummy Young, 1912-1984, Edmond Hall, 1901-1967, Billy Kyle, 1914-1966, Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007, Ray Brown, 1926-2002, Louie Bellson, 1924-2009, Buddy Rich, 1917-1987 and Barrett Deems (Universal Classics & Jazz, 1997), 1 hour 8 mins
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Trummy Young, 1912-1984, Edmond Hall, 1901-1967, Billy Kyle, 1914-1966, Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007, Ray Brown, 1926-2002, Louie Bellson, 1924-2009, Buddy Rich, 1917-1987, Barrett Deems
Contributor
Russell Garcia
Author / Creator
Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Trummy Young, 1912-1984, Edmond Hall, 1901-1967, Billy Kyle, 1914-1966, Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007, Ray Brown, 1926-2002, Louie Bellson, 1924-2009, Buddy Rich, 1917-1987, Barrett Deems
Date Published / Released
1997-09-16
Publisher
Universal Classics & Jazz
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I Loves You Porgy
composed by Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937 and DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940; conducted by Horace Ott and Hal Mooney; performed by Bobby Hamilton, fl. 1960, Rudy Stevenson, 1929-2010, Lisle Atkinson, 1940- and Nina Simone, 1933-2003; in The Best Of Nina Simone 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection (Universal Classics & Jazz, 2007), 3 mins
Sample
composed by Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937 and DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940; conducted by Horace Ott and Hal Mooney; performed by Bobby Hamilton, fl. 1960, Rudy Stevenson, 1929-2010, Lisle Atkinson, 1940- and Nina Simone, 1933-2003; in The Best Of Nina Simone 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection (Universal Classics & Jazz, 2007), 3 mins
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Bobby Hamilton, fl. 1960, Rudy Stevenson, 1929-2010, Lisle Atkinson, 1940-, Nina Simone, 1933-2003
Contributor
Horace Ott, Hal Mooney
Author / Creator
Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937, DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940, Bobby Hamilton, fl. 1960, Rudy Stevenson, 1929-2010, Lisle Atkinson, 1940-, Nina Simone, 1933-2003
Date Published / Released
2007-06-12
Publisher
Universal Classics & Jazz
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The Best Of The Song Books
conducted by Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985; performed by Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, John Collins, Al Hendrickson, 1920-2007, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Stuff Smith, 1909-1967, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Jimmy Hamilton, 1917-1994, Buddy DeFranco, 1923-2014, Harry Carney, 1910-1974, Johnny Hodges, 1906-1970, Ted Nash, 1960-, Willie Smith, 1897-1973, Paul Gonsalves, 1920-1974, Ben Webster, 1909-1973, Bob Cooper, 1925-1993, Clark Terry, 1920-2015, Don Fagerquist, 1927-1974, Ray Nance, 1913-1976, Willie Cook, 1923-2000, Cat Anderson, 1916-1981 and Quentin Jackson, 1909-1976, Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and Billy May & His Orchestra (Verve Records, 1993), 1 hour 3 mins
Sample
conducted by Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985; performed by Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, John Collins, Al Hendrickson, 1920-2007, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Stuff Smith, 1909-1967, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Jimmy Hamilton, 1917-1994, Buddy DeFranco, 1923-2014, Harry Carney, 1910-1974, Johnny Hodges, 1906-1970, Ted Nash, 1960-, Willie Smith, 1897-1973, Paul Gonsalves, 1920-1974, Ben Webster, 1909-1973, Bob Cooper, 1925-1993, Clark Terry, 1920-2015, Don Fagerquist, 1927-1974, Ray Nance, 1913-1976, Willie Cook, 1923-2000, Cat Anderson, 1916-1981 and Quentin Jackson, 1909-1976, Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and Billy May & His Orchestra (Verve Records, 1993), 1 hour 3 mins
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, John Collins, Al Hendrickson, 1920-2007, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Stuff Smith, 1909-1967, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Jimmy Hamilton, 1917-1994, Buddy DeFranco, 1923-2014, Harry Carney, 1910-1974, Johnny Hodges, 1906-1970, Ted Na...
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, John Collins, Al Hendrickson, 1920-2007, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Stuff Smith, 1909-1967, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Jimmy Hamilton, 1917-1994, Buddy DeFranco, 1923-2014, Harry Carney, 1910-1974, Johnny Hodges, 1906-1970, Ted Nash, 1960-, Willie Smith, 1897-1973, Paul Gonsalves, 1920-1974, Ben Webster, 1909-1973, Bob Cooper, 1925-1993, Clark Terry, 1920-2015, Don Fagerquist, 1927-1974, Ray Nance, 1913-1976, Willie Cook, 1923-2000, Cat Anderson, 1916-1981, Quentin Jackson, 1909-1976
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Contributor
Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985
Author / Creator
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, John Collins, Al Hendrickson, 1920-2007, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Stuff Smith, 1909-1967, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Jimmy Hamilton, 1917-1994, Buddy DeFranco, 1923-2014, Harry Carney, 1910-1974, Johnny Hodges, 1906-1970, Ted Na...
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, John Collins, Al Hendrickson, 1920-2007, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Stuff Smith, 1909-1967, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Jimmy Hamilton, 1917-1994, Buddy DeFranco, 1923-2014, Harry Carney, 1910-1974, Johnny Hodges, 1906-1970, Ted Nash, 1960-, Willie Smith, 1897-1973, Paul Gonsalves, 1920-1974, Ben Webster, 1909-1973, Bob Cooper, 1925-1993, Clark Terry, 1920-2015, Don Fagerquist, 1927-1974, Ray Nance, 1913-1976, Willie Cook, 1923-2000, Cat Anderson, 1916-1981, Quentin Jackson, 1909-1976
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Date Published / Released
1993-09-21
Publisher
Verve Records
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The Best Of The Song Books: The Ballads
performed by Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Plas Johnson, Jr., 1939-, Shorty Sherock, 1915-1980, Britt Woodman, 1920-2000, Buddy Collette, 1921-2010, Gerald Vinci, 1927-2001, Joe Mondragon, 1920-1987 and Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992, Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra and Buddy Bregman Orchestra (Universal Classics & Jazz, 1994), 1 hour 5 mins
Sample
performed by Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Plas Johnson, Jr., 1939-, Shorty Sherock, 1915-1980, Britt Woodman, 1920-2000, Buddy Collette, 1921-2010, Gerald Vinci, 1927-2001, Joe Mondragon, 1920-1987 and Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992, Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra and Buddy Bregman Orchestra (Universal Classics & Jazz, 1994), 1 hour 5 mins
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Plas Johnson, Jr., 1939-, Shorty Sherock, 1915-1980, Britt Woodman, 1920-2000, Buddy Collette, 1921-2010, Gerald Vinci, 1927-20...
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Plas Johnson, Jr., 1939-, Shorty Sherock, 1915-1980, Britt Woodman, 1920-2000, Buddy Collette, 1921-2010, Gerald Vinci, 1927-2001, Joe Mondragon, 1920-1987, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992
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Author / Creator
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Plas Johnson, Jr., 1939-, Shorty Sherock, 1915-1980, Britt Woodman, 1920-2000, Buddy Collette, 1921-2010, Gerald Vinci, 1927-20...
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Nelson Riddle, 1921-1985, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Herb Ellis, 1921-2010, Russell Procope, 1908-1981, Plas Johnson, Jr., 1939-, Shorty Sherock, 1915-1980, Britt Woodman, 1920-2000, Buddy Collette, 1921-2010, Gerald Vinci, 1927-2001, Joe Mondragon, 1920-1987, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992
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Date Published / Released
1994-08-05
Publisher
Universal Classics & Jazz
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Best Of/20th/Eco
performed by Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996 and Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971, Bob Haggart (Universal Classics & Jazz, 2007), 42 mins
Sample
performed by Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996 and Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971, Bob Haggart (Universal Classics & Jazz, 2007), 42 mins
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Bob Haggart, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971
Author / Creator
Bob Haggart, Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Louis Armstrong, 1901-1971
Date Published / Released
2007-06-12
Publisher
Universal Classics & Jazz
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Billie Holiday For Lovers
performed by Billie Holiday, 1915-1959, Larry Bunker, 1928-2005, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Red Mitchell, Joe Mondragon, 1920-1987, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992 and Ben Webster, 1909-1973 (Universal Classics & Jazz, 2002), 58 mins
Sample
performed by Billie Holiday, 1915-1959, Larry Bunker, 1928-2005, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Red Mitchell, Joe Mondragon, 1920-1987, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992 and Ben Webster, 1909-1973 (Universal Classics & Jazz, 2002), 58 mins
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Billie Holiday, 1915-1959, Larry Bunker, 1928-2005, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Red Mitchell, Joe Mondragon, 1920-1987, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992, Ben Webster, 1909-1973
Author / Creator
Billie Holiday, 1915-1959, Larry Bunker, 1928-2005, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Red Mitchell, Joe Mondragon, 1920-1987, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992, Ben Webster, 1909-1973
Date Published / Released
2002-10-29
Publisher
Universal Classics & Jazz
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Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings
conducted by Buddy Bregman; performed by Bing Crosby, 1903-1977, Milt Bernhart, Pete Candoli, 1923-2008, Bob Cooper, 1925-1993, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Maynard Ferguson, 1928-2006, Herb Geller, 1928-2013, Chuck Gentry, Conrad Gozzo, 1922-1964, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Ted Nash, 1960-, Frank Rosolino, 1926-1978, George Roberts, Paul Smith, 1906-1985, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992 and Bud Shank, 1926-2009, Buddy Bregman Orchestra (Verve Records, 2001), 37 mins
In early 1956, Bing Crosby ended the two long-term company affiliations that had defined his career for more than 20 years, leaving his exclusive associations with Paramount Pictures and Decca Records. Thereafter, he made movies and records on a freelance basis. The immediate results were more felicitous for his f...
Sample
conducted by Buddy Bregman; performed by Bing Crosby, 1903-1977, Milt Bernhart, Pete Candoli, 1923-2008, Bob Cooper, 1925-1993, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Maynard Ferguson, 1928-2006, Herb Geller, 1928-2013, Chuck Gentry, Conrad Gozzo, 1922-1964, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Ted Nash, 1960-, Frank Rosolino, 1926-1978, George Roberts, Paul Smith, 1906-1985, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992 and Bud Shank, 1926-2009, Buddy Bregman Orchestra (Verve Records, 2001), 37 mins
Description
In early 1956, Bing Crosby ended the two long-term company affiliations that had defined his career for more than 20 years, leaving his exclusive associations with Paramount Pictures and Decca Records. Thereafter, he made movies and records on a freelance basis. The immediate results were more felicitous for his film work than his recording, as he went to MGM for the successful movie {#High Society}. As a recording artist, in rapid succession he...
In early 1956, Bing Crosby ended the two long-term company affiliations that had defined his career for more than 20 years, leaving his exclusive associations with Paramount Pictures and Decca Records. Thereafter, he made movies and records on a freelance basis. The immediate results were more felicitous for his film work than his recording, as he went to MGM for the successful movie {#High Society}. As a recording artist, in rapid succession he cut the movie soundtrack for Capitol (January-February); a new album for Decca, Songs I Wish I Had Sung (The First Time Around) (April); and a new album for Verve, Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings (June). The third was the least likely. Twenty-five-year-old Buddy Bregman, a friend of Crosby's son Gary, had recently been appointed an A&R executive at the fledgling Verve. His idea for Crosby was to copy the formula of recent Nelson Riddle-arranged Frank Sinatra successes such as Songs for Swingin' Lovers -- take a collection of inter-war standards and give them punchy big-band arrangements. The approach was well-suited to the aggressive Sinatra, who wasn't shy about editing the arrangements himself, but singularly inappropriate to the affable Crosby, who left everything to his arranger/conductor. The 12 songs, none of which Crosby had released commercially before, were great standards from the likes of Kern, Rodgers and Hart, Berlin, and Gershwin, and Crosby turned in typically witty interpretations. But Bregman's repetitive, overly busy arrangements, full of loud, sudden horn blats and splats, forced the singer to compete for attention and occasionally smothered him completely. Crosby was looking for a way back to commercial appeal with this experiment. But the three albums were all released within a period of weeks in August and September, and only the film soundtrack got a fair hearing and became a hit. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
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Date Written / Recorded
1956-06-11
Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Bing Crosby, 1903-1977, Milt Bernhart, Pete Candoli, 1923-2008, Bob Cooper, 1925-1993, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Maynard Ferguson, 1928-2006, Herb Geller, 1928-2013, Chuck Gentry, Conrad Gozzo, 1922-1964, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Ted Nash, 1960-, Frank Rosolino, 1926-1978, George Roberts, Paul Smith, 1906-1985, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992, Bud Shank, 1926-2009
Contributor
Buddy Bregman
Author / Creator
Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Bing Crosby, 1903-1977, Milt Bernhart, Pete Candoli, 1923-2008, Bob Cooper, 1925-1993, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Maynard Ferguson, 1928-2006, Herb Geller, 1928-2013, Chuck Gentry, Conrad Gozzo, 1922-1964, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Ted Nash, 1960-, Frank Rosolino, 1926-1978, George Roberts, Paul Smith, 1906-1985, Alvin Stoller, 1925-1992, Bud Shank, 1926-2009
Date Published / Released
2001-03-13
Publisher
Verve Records
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It Ain't Necessarily So
composed by Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937 and DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940; performed by Peggy Lee, 1920-2002, Bill Pitman, 1920-, Stella Castellucci, Pete Candoli, 1923-2008, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Louis Levy, 1928-2001, Larry Bunker, 1928-2005, Buddy Clark, 1929-1999 and Ed Shaughnessy, Sy Oliver & His Orchestra; in Black Coffee (Verve Records, 2004), 3 mins
Peggy Lee left Capitol in 1952 for, among several other reasons, the label's refusal to let her record and release an exotic, tumultuous version of "Lover." Lee was certainly no Mitch Miller songbird, content to loosen her gorgeous pipes on any piece of tripe foisted upon her; she was a superb songwriter with a kn...
Sample
composed by Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937 and DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940; performed by Peggy Lee, 1920-2002, Bill Pitman, 1920-, Stella Castellucci, Pete Candoli, 1923-2008, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Louis Levy, 1928-2001, Larry Bunker, 1928-2005, Buddy Clark, 1929-1999 and Ed Shaughnessy, Sy Oliver & His Orchestra; in Black Coffee (Verve Records, 2004), 3 mins
Description
Peggy Lee left Capitol in 1952 for, among several other reasons, the label's refusal to let her record and release an exotic, tumultuous version of "Lover." Lee was certainly no Mitch Miller songbird, content to loosen her gorgeous pipes on any piece of tripe foisted upon her; she was a superb songwriter with a knowledge of production and arrangement gained from work in big bands and from her husband, Dave Barbour (although the two weren't togeth...
Peggy Lee left Capitol in 1952 for, among several other reasons, the label's refusal to let her record and release an exotic, tumultuous version of "Lover." Lee was certainly no Mitch Miller songbird, content to loosen her gorgeous pipes on any piece of tripe foisted upon her; she was a superb songwriter with a knowledge of production and arrangement gained from work in big bands and from her husband, Dave Barbour (although the two weren't together at the time). The more open-minded Decca acquiesced to her demand, and watched its investment pay off quickly when the single became her biggest hit in years. Black Coffee was Lee's next major project. Encouraged by longtime Decca A&R Milt Gabler, she hired a small group including trumpeter Pete Candoli and pianist Jimmy Rowles (two of her favorite sidemen) to record an after-hours jazz project similar in intent and execution to Lee Wiley's "Manhattan project" of 1950, Night in Manhattan. While the title-track opener of Black Coffee soon separated itself from the LP -- to be taught forever after during the first period of any Torch Song 101 class -- the album doesn't keep to its concept very long; Lee is soon enough in a bouncy mood for "I've Got You Under My Skin" and very affectionate on "Easy Living." (If there's a concept at work here, it's the vagaries of love.) Listeners should look instead to "It Ain't Necessarily So" or "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You?" for more examples of Lee's quintessentially slow-burn sultriness. Aside from occasionally straying off-concept, however, Black Coffee is an excellent record, spotlighting Lee's ability to shine with every type of group and in any context. [When originally recorded and released in 1953, Black Coffee was an eight-song catalog of 78s. Three years later, Decca commissioned an LP expansion of the record, for which Lee recorded several more songs. The 2004 Verve edition is therefore a reissue of the 1956 12-song LP.] ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
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Field of Study
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
Sy Oliver & His Orchestra, Peggy Lee, 1920-2002, Bill Pitman, 1920-, Stella Castellucci, Pete Candoli, 1923-2008, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Louis Levy, 1928-2001, Larry Bunker, 1928-2005, Buddy Clark, 1929-1999, Ed Shaughnessy
Author / Creator
Ira Gershwin, 1896-1983, George Gershwin, 1898-1937, DuBose Heyward, 1885-1940, Sy Oliver & His Orchestra, Peggy Lee, 1920-2002, Bill Pitman, 1920-, Stella Castellucci, Pete Candoli, 1923-2008, Jimmy Rowles, 1918-1996, Louis Levy, 1928-2001, Larry Bunker, 1928-2005, Buddy Clark, 1929-1999, Ed Shaughnessy
Date Published / Released
2004-10-26
Publisher
Verve Records
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