Smooth Operator [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Early in her career, Dorothy Dandridge was a genuine Renaissance woman, able to perform exceedingly well as a dancer, actress, and singer. She executed each performance with a theatricality that hinted at vast talents, and her acceptance into the annals of the beautiful and luxurious in the 1940s and '50s was hailed by major media players. Her cream-colored skin made Dandridge one of the most highly touted "sepia" stars (like the great Lena Horne) in a commercial culture hell-bent on an extremely tight line between the races. This set of recordings matched Dandridge the nightclub singer with pianist Oscar Peterson and his group--which was sleek enough to highlight the singer's coarse overtones that recall late Billie Holiday recordings--and with an unnamed large orchestra that pushes the vocalist to shine brilliantly on the collection's title tune. Dandridge had all the tragic dynamics that would make her voice deservedly--and artfully--rough at the edges. Her daughter was born brain-damaged, and her persistent insecurities likely led her to both drug addiction and a fatal overdose in 1965. She had built a fledgling, promise-filled film career (garnering an Oscar nomination for Carmen Jones) and, as this collection shows, a very promising career as a nightclub jazz singer. Her magnetism is palpable, and hearing the bulk of these tracks for the first time in 1999, it's clear they should've hit the airwaves decades ago. --Andrew Bartlett

Tracks:

It's Easy To Remember
What Is There To Say?
That Old Feeling
The Touch Of Your Lips
When Your Lover Has Gone
The Nearness Of You
(In This World) I'm Glad There Is You
I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face
Body And Soul
How Long Has This Been Going On?
I've Got A Crush On You
I Didn't Know What Time It Was
Somebody
Stay With It
It's A Beautiful Evening
Smooth Operator

Amazon.com

Early in her career, Dorothy Dandridge was a genuine Renaissance woman, able to perform exceedingly well as a dancer, actress, and singer. She executed each performance with a theatricality that hinted at vast talents, and her acceptance into the annals of the beautiful and luxurious in the 1940s and '50s was hailed by major media players. Her cream-colored skin made Dandridge one of the most highly touted "sepia" stars (like the great Lena Horne) in a commercial culture hell-bent on an extremely tight line between the races. This set of recordings matched Dandridge the nightclub singer with pianist Oscar Peterson and his group--which was sleek enough to highlight the singer's coarse overtones that recall late Billie Holiday recordings--and with an unnamed large orchestra that pushes the vocalist to shine brilliantly on the collection's title tune. Dandridge had all the tragic dynamics that would make her voice deservedly--and artfully--rough at the edges. Her daughter was born brain-damaged, and her persistent insecurities likely led her to both drug addiction and a fatal overdose in 1965. She had built a fledgling, promise-filled film career (garnering an Oscar nomination for Carmen Jones) and, as this collection shows, a very promising career as a nightclub jazz singer. Her magnetism is palpable, and hearing the bulk of these tracks for the first time in 1999, it's clear they should've hit the airwaves decades ago. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Dorothy the Diva.......2007-02-03

This lady was talented in more ways than one. She had beauty, style, acting ability and YES, she had singing chops, as evidenced in this compilation of standards performed in night clubs around Hollywood early on in her career. Quite frankly, I always knew Dorothy could act and sing but I never knew how much of a true Diva she was until I gave this CD a listen. It showcases "Dotty" in her element--Jazz!

I couldn't help but notice that her phrasing is eerily reminiscent of the style made famous by the great Billie Holiday. She sings purposefully, enunciating every syllable, lagging behind the beat just a hair. Listen and you will hear it on the opening songs, It's Easy to Remember, What Is There To Say, and That Old Feeling, on which she is quite kittenish.

In the title song, Smooth Operator, I imagine Dorothy working the room, and turning heads with her killer body, swaying her hips as she seductively sang.

The sound quality is excellent.

Simply Dazzling..........2003-06-02

I am an avid follower of Miss Dandridge and her work. I loved her in every film and enjoyed seeing her life story. So, to be introduced to her musically and vocally, is a honor and she was so multi-talented. Beautiful, head strong, intelligent, and a hard wroker she's what we need today. I find her vocal stylings to be calming, and electric, in other words she's simply dazzling.

A smooth lala bye.......2003-04-13

elegant to ones ear.I just love dorothy,so much class and beauty.I will always look up to dorothy as a positive black role model.I love you dorothy dandridge.your number one fan.kim t. from columbus oh.

Good but could have included more.......2003-01-04

The two songs that show Dandridge's potential on this cd are "Smooth Operator" and "Stay with It." The songs are catchy and she showed that she had a voice, shouldn't have been dubbed in Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess, that Otto Preminger! Up tempo numbers were what she was most memorable with. Perhaps her producers didn't realize this. I think a few of the slow numbers should be included but my main criticism is that there is nothing of her early non solo career.
I'm interested to hear the Dandridge Sisters. It included not only Dorothy and her sister Vivian but also a young Etta Jones. I know there are singles out there of them. Someone should release them.

Wow!.......2002-09-03

Long before she was an actress Dorothy Dandrige had a sparkling career as a lounge singer. I always thought it was a pity that no-one ever had the sense to record her. Luckily, someone did. If only this album had been released during her life! Miss Dandrige's voice is smokey,sensual and just made for nightclubs. She sounds a little like Billie Holiday and a little bit like Pearl Bailey. Turn the lights out, sit back let this album take you back...

Average customer rating:

The String Quartet Tribute to Sade

Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Sweetest Taboo
Smooth Operator
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No Ordinary Love
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Product Description

1. Sweetest taboo
2. Smooth operator 3. Jezebel
4. Your love is king
5. Why can’t we live together?
6. No ordinary love
7. King of sorrow
8. Cherish the day
9. Pearls
10. Dreamer’s path

Format: CD

Average customer rating:
Smooth Operator

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
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