During the early '50s, Peggy Lee rode high on the strength of her own taste into stardom - she was a glamorous beacon whose sultry voice gave her performances a shimmering eroticism. Black Coffee may be the greatest album of her genuine "concept albums." Originally recorded in 1953, Lee turned Black Coffee into a jazz project - something no other mainstream pop singer had done up to that point. It was so successful that three years later, Decca asked her to expand it into the newer 12" format. Many years later, she named this album as her own favorite. The songs in this collection reveal Peggy Lee at her most captivating. Here she displays a piano)versatility which matches her wonderful vitality, emphasizing the quality of her voice as well as the music.
Eight tracks from 1953 are recorded with Pete Candoli (trumpet), Jimmy Rowles (piano), Max Wayne (bass), and Ed Shaughnessy (drums). Four other songs, recorded in 1956, feature a whole different accompaniment--Stella Castellucci (harp), Lou Levy (piano), Bill Pitman (guitar), Buddy Clark (bass), and Larry Bunker on vibes, drums, and percussion. Though some listeners may prefer the trumpet-oriented jazz with Candoli to the harp, guitar, and vibes of the 1956 songs, Lee adapts equally well to both approaches, creating an album which has turned my respect for her talent and perfectionism into enthusiastic love for her spirit, imagination, and creativity.
Personnel:
Larry Bunker (drums, percussions, vibes)
Pete Candori (trumpet)
Stella Castelluci (harp)
Buddy Lakr (bass)
Peggy Lee vocals)
Lou Levy (piano)
Bill Pittman (guitar)
Jimmy Rowles (piano)
Max Wayne (bass)
Ed Shaughnessy (drums)
Tracklist:
01. Black Coffee (Webster/Burke) 3.09
02. I´ve Got You Under My Skin (Porter) 2.32
03. Easy Living (Robin/Rainger) 2.47
04. My Heart Belongs To Daddy (Porter) 2.11
05. It Ain´t Necessarily So (G.Gerswhin/I.Gershwin) 3.26
06. Gee Baby Ain´t I Good To You (Redman/Razaf) 3.26
07. A Woman Alone With The Blues (Robinson) 3.16
08. I Don´t Know What Time It Was (Rodgers/Hart) 2.21
09. When The World Was Young (Mercer/Block) 3.21
10. Love Me Or Leave Me (Donaldson/Kahn) 2.10
11. You´re My Thrill (Gorney/Clare) 3.26
12. There´s A Small Hotel (Rodgers/Hart) 2.47
ARMU 1375 (mediafire)
This is a wonderful album. I particularly love the added tracks. "You're My Thrill" and "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You" are two that I play over and over. Thanks for recognizing Stella Castellucci as well. She is a great friend of mine and we are wrtiing her autobiography together. I would highly recommend their minimalist masterpiece Sea Shells.
ReplyDeletelink is dead now... ta
ReplyDelete