Details

Field of Interest

Jazz

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

33 mins

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Vocal Jazz

Label

Universal Classics & Jazz

Performer

Carmen Mercedes McRae, 1920-1994, Kenny Clarke, 1914-1985, Dick Katz, 1924-, Herbie Mann, 1930-2003, Wendell Marshall, 1920-2002, Mundell Lowe, 1922-, Mat Mathews, 1924-2009, Billy Strayhorn, 1915-1967

UPC (Physical)

00602465456820

Release Date

2006-09-12

Review

Other than a record for Bethlehem and a few scattered selections, this LP (most of which has been reissued on CD) has Carmen McRae's earliest recordings. Although her voice is higher than it would be and her style is not as recognizable, she was already a top-notch singer at this early stage. Some numbers have McRae joined by the Mat Matthews Quintet (featuring Matthews on accordion and the young Herbie Mann on flute), while others have her joined by pianist Dick Katz, guitarist Mundell Lowe, bassist Wendell Marshall, and her ex-husband Kenny Clarke on drums. McRae plays piano on "Suppertime," and Billy Strayhorn sits in on his own "Something to Live For." Among the other songs that McRae uplifts and swings are "Give Me the Simple Life," "Sometimes I'm Happy," "Yardbird Suite," and "This Will Make You Laugh." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Subject

Jazz, Music & Performing Arts, Vocal Jazz, Jazz Vocal

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Jazz Vocal