MARGARET WHITING - Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook [1960]

Given Margaret Whiting's limitations as a stylist, you certainly wouldn't expect an album of Jerome Kern-penned Broadway standards to rank among her jazziest, most lively LPs, but the great arranger Russ Garcia truly outdoes himself, masterminding a delightfully energetic session that's undeniably appealing. While Garcia and sidemen including altoist Bud Shank contribute much of the album's sense of swing, Whiting proves herself a far more fluid and rhythmic singer than her critics care to admit -- her clarion vocals achieve a nice balance between the theatricality of Kern's music and the pizzazz of Garcia's treatments. A pointed reminder that "wholesome" doesn't necessarily equate with "square." by Jason Ankeny

Tracklist

1. Why Was I Born? 3:22

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

2. Remind Me 2:55

Dorothy Fields / Jerome Kern

3. The Song Is You 3:32

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

4. I Won't Dance 2:25

Dorothy Fields / Otto Harbach / Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern / Jimmy McHugh

5. Don't Ever Leave Me 3:19

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern / Traditional

6. I'm Old Fashioned 2:44

Jerome Kern / Johnny Mercer

7. All in Fun 3:06

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

8. Why Do I Love You? 2:34

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

9. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man 3:57

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

 

10. A Fine Romance 3:39 

Dorothy Fields / Jerome Kern

11. Look for the Silver Lining 2:56 

Buddy DeSylva / Jerome Kern

12. All the Things You Are 3:49 

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

13. Poor Pierrot 3:23

Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern

14. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 3:57  

Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern

15. Let's Begin 2:15

Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern

16. D'Ye Love Me? 3:24  

Otto Harbach / Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

17. Dearly Beloved 2:52

Jerome Kern / Johnny Mercer

18. Long Ago (And Far Away) 4:17

Ira Gershwin / Jerome Kern

19. The Way You Look Tonight 3:33 

Dorothy Fields / Jerome Kern

20 You Couldn't Be Cuter 2:05

Dorothy Fields / Jerome Kern

21. Yesterdays 3:08

Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern

22. Bill 4:03

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern / P.G. Wodehouse

23. She Didn't Say Yes 2:25

Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern

24. The Touch of Your Hand 3:42

Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern

MARGARET WHITING

Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook

Verve / 1960 / 2002

CBR 320 / scans

'round to midnight ...