Capitol Collectors Series, Vol. 1 - The Early Years: Peggy Lee

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In her early days as a big-band vocalist (wonderfully represented in this sampler), Peggy Lee's sound that was generally brighter and bouncier than the sultry sizzle she'd later bring to hits like "Fever" and "Black Coffee." Those two aren't on this album, but you can hear 'em coming in songs like "Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)," "Don't Smoke in Bed," and "Baby, Don't Be Mad at Me." Traces of Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday come through in some songs, while several Latin numbers have a playful Carmen Miranda flavor. Miss Lee herself co-wrote "Mañana (Is Good Enough For Me)," a number one hit in 1948. --Jim Emerson

Tracks:

Waiting For the Train To Come In
I'm Glad I Waited For You
I Don't Know Enough About You
Linger In My Arms A Little Longer, Baby
It's All Over Now
It's A Good Day
Everthing's Movin' Too Fast
Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go To Sleep)
Sugar (That Sugar Baby O' Mine)
Golden Earrings
I'll Dance At Your Wedding
Manana (Is Soon Enough For Me)
All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart
Talkin' To Myself About You
Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)
'Deed I Do
Don't Smoke In Bed
Caramba! It's The Samba
Them There Eyes
Baby, Don't Be Mad At Me
Bali Ha'i
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair
Ghost Riders In The Sky (A Cowboy Legend)
The Old Master Painter (With Mel Torme And The...)
Show Me The Way To Get Out Of This World ('Cause..

Customer Reviews:

Peggy steps out of the shadows.......2004-01-10

Peggy first made an impact as a singer with Benny Goodman's band (where she replaced the excellent but largely forgotten Helen Forrest) before committing herself to a solo career. This collection covers Peggy's early solo recordings from 1945 to 1950 and it shows that Peggy was a brilliant ballad singer but that she could also swing to good effect - there are some fantastic up-tempo songs here. As with all collections titled Capitol collectors series, this comes with copious liner notes including recording dates and American chart information.

Then, as in any era, the biggest hits are not always the songs that stand the test of time best. The only number one hit here is Manana, an upbeat, fun song of a type that was popular in those days but is generally dismissed now as a novelty song. Caramba it's the Samba (a top twenty hit) is another song of a similar type. In their way, they are great songs that I really enjoy, but I can understand why a lot of people don't like them. If necessary, you can skip them - there are 25 songs here in total and most of them are classy songs from the finest songwriters available.

Apart from Manana, the biggest hits here are Golden earrings (a ballad typical of Peggy) and Ghost riders in the sky (a western song that is not typical of Peggy, but which she does brilliantly). Both of those peaked at number two. Waiting for the train to come in, I don't know enough about you, It's all over now, Chi-baba and The old master painter (a duet with Mel Torme) all made the top ten and every one is a masterpiece. Some of Peggy's finest songs of the period didn't make the top ten. I particularly like I'll dance at your wedding, It's a good day and Don't smoke in bed.

There is a bewildering selection of compilations of Peggy's music, some covering particular periods and others spanning her whole career. Despite that, there aren't many that confine themselves to her early years. If you just want a single CD of Peggy's forties music, this is the one to buy. It has all her big hits from the period.

Refreshing, Poppy, and Crystal Clear.......2001-12-28

It's hard to "sing like Peggy Lee", and hard to find a better album to exemplify such an understated style and phrasing, yet with such vocal punch. Detractors from Miss Lee's work often cite vocal greatness to be found in the form of the "shrieker" such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Maria Muldaur, dated and tired examples of excessively loud, out of control, have to belt and trill or they can't sing it artists. What she doesn't say is as important as what she does. Peggy shows that she knew how to make great music before the Tramp came along.

A triumph of beauty over talent.......2001-04-18

This carefully selected Capitol compilation brings the first chapter of Peggy Lee's long career (her earlier work with Benny Goodman can be percieved as a preface),her first succes as a solo singer.Although her fans would find this compilation exciting,it has more points from a historic perspective than as a real music gem - novelty songs as "Caramba!Its the Samba!" are VERY dated today althought they must have sound cute then - and its interesting to hear how her style eventually grow with these songs.Lee had a easy-listening purr,a whisper that was appealing to a mass audience and her popularity can be explained as result of uninvolving humming,nice music background that did not offend anybody.I still haven't found anything that she recorded really breathtaking and I always found her overrated - so many listeners are awed by her glamour,clothes,style and looks that for them that's enough.Any suggestions of some above average listening from Lee would be welcome,as I haven't discovered it yet.

Capitol Collectors Series, Vol. 1 - The Early Years: Peggy Lee

Average customer rating:

Peggy Lee really swings

Capitol Collectors Series, Vol. 1 - The Early Years: Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Manufacturer: Indent Series
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005JMW
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

Waiting for the Train to Come In
I'm Glad I Waited for You
I Don't Know Enough About You
Linger in My Arms a Little Longer, Baby
It's All over Now
It's a Good Day
Everything's Movin' Too Fast
Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep)
Sugar
Golden Earrings
I'll Dance at Your Wedding
Ma (Is Soon Enough for Me)
All Dressed up With a Broken Heart
Talkin' to Myself About You - Dave Barbour & the Brazilians, Peggy Lee
Why Don't You Do Right?
'Deed I Do
Don't Smoke in Bed
Caramba! It's the Samba
Them There Eyes
Baby Don't Be Mad at Me
Bali Ha'i
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)
Old Master Painter - Dave Barbour & His Orchestra, Peggy Lee,
Show Me the Way to Get Out of This World ('Cause That's Where ...) - Dave Barbour & His Orchestra, Peggy Lee,

Amazon.com

In her early days as a big-band vocalist (wonderfully represented in this sampler), Peggy Lee's sound that was generally brighter and bouncier than the sultry sizzle she'd later bring to hits like "Fever" and "Black Coffee." Those two aren't on this album, but you can hear 'em coming in songs like "Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)," "Don't Smoke in Bed," and "Baby, Don't Be Mad at Me." Traces of Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday come through in some songs, while several Latin numbers have a playful Carmen Miranda flavor. Miss Lee herself co-wrote "Mañana (Is Good Enough For Me)," a number one hit in 1948. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

Peggy Lee really swings.......2003-03-07

This album is fantastic! Great collection of swinging' tunes
from Miss Lee. Why Don't You Do Right, as well as 'Deed I Do are terrific!!...

Music:

Music

Music