PEGGY LEE: "Black Coffee"

Original released on LP 10" Decca DL 5482 (US 1953, August 3)

and on LP 12" Decca DL 8358 (US, May 1956)

Peggy Lee left Capitol in 1952 for, among several other reasons, the label's refusal to let her record and release an exotic, tumultuous version of "Lover." Lee was certainly no Mitch Miller songbird, content to loosen her gorgeous pipes on any piece of tripe foisted upon her; she was a superb songwriter with a knowledge of production and arrangement gained from work in big bands and from her husband, Dave Barbour (although the two weren't together at the time). The more open-minded Decca acquiesced to her demand, and watched its investment pay off quickly when the single became her biggest hit in years. "Black Coffee" was Lee's next major project. Encouraged by longtime Decca A&R Milt Gabler, she hired a small group including trumpeter Pete Candoli and pianist Jimmy Rowles (two of her favorite sidemen) to record an after-hours jazz project similar in intent and execution to Lee Wiley's "Manhattan project" of 1950, Night in Manhattan. While the title-track opener of "Black Coffee" soon separated itself from the LP - to be taught forever after during the first period of any Torch Song 101 class - the album doesn't keep to its concept very long; Lee is soon enough in a bouncy mood for "I've Got You Under My Skin" and very affectionate on "Easy Living." (If there's a concept at work here, it's the vagaries of love.) Listeners should look instead to "It Ain't Necessarily So" or "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You?" for more examples of Lee's quintessentially slow-burn sultriness. Aside from occasionally straying off-concept, however, "Black Coffee" is an excellent record, spotlighting Lee's ability to shine with every type of group and in any context. [When originally recorded and released in 1953, "Black Coffee" was an eight-song catalog of 78s. Three years later, Decca commissioned an LP expansion of the record, for which Lee recorded several more songs. The 2004 Verve edition is therefore a reissue of the 1956 12-song LP.] (John Bush in AllMusic)

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JULIE LONDON: "Calendar Girl"

Original released on LP Liberty SL 9002

(US, November 1956)

Jazz critic Will Friedwald has stated that Julie London's records were so popular in the 1950s mainly because she looked so drop-dead gorgeous on the album covers. The marketing hook behind "Calendar Girl" may just be the main example for those critical of London's musical career, since its sleeve has made it a prized collector's item. The famous wraparound cover depicts cheesecake shots of London posed for every month of the year, while original issues of the album included a more-than-suggestive insert photo of the singer stretched out in bed. While Friedwald's correct about London's physical beauty, he's wrong in suggesting that the vocalist didn't have the talent to go along with her looks. Like Chet Baker, Julie London had an extremely limited vocal range but she did the most with what she had, possessing a special knack for torch songs that cast her in the role of a woman constantly being destroyed by love in general and by men in particular. The cover concept of "Calendar Girl" is carried over from the concept album, which features a narrative of romance lost and found for each month of the year before ending with one final tune called "The Thirteenth Month" (which is illustrated by that insert picture of London in bed). Since there aren't quality standards for every month of the year, one of "Calendar Girl"'s pleasures can be found in the numbers written especially for the album, particularly those penned by Bobby Troup, London's husband. The jazz-oriented Troup hit pay dirt with such fine compositions as "Route 66," "Daddy," and "The Meaning of the Blues," but too few of his smart, witty songs have been widely recorded. "Calendar Girl" is a fun, if often bittersweet, ride and a must-have for fans of classic vocal pop and lounge music. (Nick Dedina in AllMusic)

A Lonely Girl

Original released on LP Liberty LRP 3012

(US, June 1956)

Liberty Records was pleasantly surprised when Julie London's debut album was such a big hit. "Julie Is Her Name" did contain the hit single "Cry Me a River," but each featured mellow jazz guitar and bass backing - which was considered commercial suicide in 1955. So, instead of changing direction and recording the follow-up "Lonely Girl" with a full orchestra, Liberty wisely allowed London to strip the accompaniment down even more on the album by dropping the backing down to one instrument. Lone guitarist Al Viola plays gentle Spanish-tinged acoustic behind the hushed vocalist, and it suits London perfectly. While the singer was often chided for her beauty and lack of range, she deftly navigates these ballads without any rhythmic underpinnings to fall back on. London's intense focus on phrasing and lyrics recalls Chet Baker's equally telescopic approach. So while most of the album contains the usual midnight standards, London sings them in her own way. The title track is the one unfamiliar tune here, and it's a real gem, penned by Bobby Troup (he was London's producer, paramour, and future husband). The low-key "Lonely Girl" beat the sophomore slump and initially did almost as well in the charts as "Julie Is Her Name". Instead of stripping away the guitar in order to make London's next release be the first a cappella torch album, Troup crafted "Calendar Girl", a big-budget orchestral affair that was more in keeping with the thematic pop albums released at the time. (Nick Dedina in AllMusic)

BLOSSOM DEARIE '56

Original released on LP Verve MGV 2037

(US, November 1956)

Other than a pair of sessions for the French Barclay label during 1955-1956, this set (which has been reissued on CD) has pianist-vocalist Blossom Dearie's first recordings as a leader. Teamed up with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jo Jones, Dearie is heard in her early prime. Although her voice has always been an acquired taste, its sincerity and sense of swing wins one over after a few songs and Dearie's piano playing is first class. In addition to the 14 original selections (mostly swing-era standards plus a couple of French songs), there are three previously unreleased numbers including "Blossom's Blues," which dates from 1959. This CD is the perfect introduction for listeners to the unique sound of Blossom Dearie. (Scott Yanow in AllMusic)

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RAY CHARLES: "Rhythm & Blues"

Original released on LP Atlantic 8006

(US, 1957)

His first album contains a lot of hit singles from the previous years. At the piano he accompanies himself and plays short, bluesy solos and interludes. He's supported by brass, double bass and drums. His Jewish producer Jerry Wexler was a former journalist who invented the term rhythm 'n' blues to replace Billboard's "race music". Ray Charles' style would lead to the emergence of Southern soul in the next few years. "Sinner's Prayer" is a twelve bar blues, but many songs deviate from this basic schedule and contain chromatic progressions. Some of the songs have gospel elements like female backing vocals and religious content. The lyrics of "Losing Hand" are metaphorical for unrequited love, but they also evoke the atmosphere of smokey bars and illegal gambling joints in Southern cities. The A-side contains sorrowful songs about heartbreak with a midtempo swing, e.g. the deeply emotional "Drown in My Own Tears", which uses the typical double dominant chord. The B-side has a much happier mood, starting with the excited love song "Hallelujah I Love Her So". It's an uptempo swing with a touch of gospel and a sax solo. The next songs are jump blues, a style with jazzy brass that comes close to rock 'n' roll. "I Got a Woman" is his 1955 hit in this style. (in RateYourMusic)

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