Carmen McRae's Finest Hour

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Carmen McRae was simply one of the giants of jazz singing, with a distinctive sound and phrasing, superb intonation, and rare harmonic imagination. She also had a unique gift for presenting a lyric, whether conveying depths of feeling or sheer playfulness. This CD is drawn from McRae's first sustained period of recording, her Decca work from 1955 to 1959. It demonstrates her emotional range, from the ebullient high spirits of "Namely You" and "Love Is a Simple Thing" to the lightly bittersweet balladry of "Do You Know Why?" and the passion of "Mad About the Boy." The accompaniments here include several big bands and string sections, and McRae is well served by a collection of arrangers highlighted by Tadd Dameron, Ernie Wilkins, and Ralph Burns. More-intimate small groups include superb contributions from pianist Ray Bryant and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, while "Something to Live For" has the composer, Billy Strayhorn, at the piano. --Stuart Broomer

Carmen McRae's Finest Hour, Music, Carmen McRae, Jazz, Jazz Music, Jazz Vocals, Pop, Traditional Pop, Vocal Jazz
Carmen McRae's Finest Hour
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Glad I got this CD.
 Carmen McRae's Finest Hour
Carmen McRae
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Jazz GeneralTraditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music
Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Traditional PopTraditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Carmen McRae Sings Great American Songwriters
  2. 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Carmen McRae
  3. Anita O'Day's Finest Hour

ASIN: B00004WIP6
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

  1. I Was Doing All Right
  2. How Long Has This Been Going On?
  3. Namely You
  4. Dream Of Life
  5. The Eagle And Me?
  6. Do You Know Why?
  7. Whatever Lola Wants
  8. When You Lover Has Gone
  9. Weak For The Man
  10. mad About THe Boy
  11. Love Is A Simple Thing
  12. I Wants To Stay Here
  13. Baltimore Oriole
  14. Incitation
  15. Something To Live For
  16. Midnight Sun
  17. Georgia Rose
  18. Love Is Here To Stay
  19. Perdido

Amazon.com

Carmen McRae was simply one of the giants of jazz singing, with a distinctive sound and phrasing, superb intonation, and rare harmonic imagination. She also had a unique gift for presenting a lyric, whether conveying depths of feeling or sheer playfulness. This CD is drawn from McRae's first sustained period of recording, her Decca work from 1955 to 1959. It demonstrates her emotional range, from the ebullient high spirits of "Namely You" and "Love Is a Simple Thing" to the lightly bittersweet balladry of "Do You Know Why?" and the passion of "Mad About the Boy." The accompaniments here include several big bands and string sections, and McRae is well served by a collection of arrangers highlighted by Tadd Dameron, Ernie Wilkins, and Ralph Burns. More-intimate small groups include superb contributions from pianist Ray Bryant and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, while "Something to Live For" has the composer, Billy Strayhorn, at the piano. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Glad I got this CD........2000-12-14

I already have CD's of Ms. McRae's early work, and of her later outings. This is the first recording I've picked up of her singing from the mid to late 1950's. What impresses me most is how she sings with great security and an exceptional awareness of the meaning of the lyrics. She is accompanied by backup musicians who are talented enough to be supportive, but not intrusive. The best compliment I can pay is to say that this is one production to which I want to give repeated listening. While a fine restoration job has been done, the overall sound quality falls short of contemporary standards. For Carmen McRae fans this is a truly worthwhile disc. Casual listeners might not be so taken with it.
Carmen McRae's Finest Hour
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Carmen McRae's Finest Hour
    Carmen McRae
    Manufacturer: Universal/Verve
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Traditional Jazz GeneralTraditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
    Traditional PopTraditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
    VerveVerve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
    ASIN: B00005S75V
    Release Date: 2001-12-21

    Tracks:

    1. I Was Doing All Right - Tadd Dameron & His Orchestra, Carmen McRae
    2. How Long Has This Been Going On? - Carmen McRae
    3. Namely You - Carmen McRae, Jack Pleis & His Orchestra
    4. Dream of Life - Carmen McRae
    5. Eagle and Me - Ralph Burns, Carmen McRae
    6. Do You Know Why? - Carmen McRae
    7. Whatever Lola Wants - Carmen McRae, Jack Pleis & His Orchestra
    8. When Your Lover Has Gone - Luther Henderson & His Orchestra, Carmen McRae
    9. Weak for the Man - Carmen McRae, Jack Pleis & His Orchestra
    10. Mad About the Boy - Carmen McRae, Jack Pleis & His Orchestra
    11. Love Is a Simple Thing - Ernie Wilkins Orchestra
    12. I Wants to Stay Here - Carmen McRae
    13. Baltimore Oriole - Carmen McRae
    14. Invitatio - Carmen McRae, Jack Pleis & His Orchestra
    15. Something to Live For - Carmen McRae
    16. Midnight Sun - Ralph Burns Orchestra, Carmen McRae
    17. Georgia Rose - Carmen McRae
    18. Love Is Here to Stay - Carmen McRae
    19. Perdido - Carmen McRae

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