CARMEN McRAE - Bittersweet (1964-2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Carmen McRae made many worthwhile albums during her long career, but this session of mostly melancholy ballads never received the exposure it deserved, possibly because it was done for Mort Fega's small independent label, Focus. But the singer, who is in top form throughout the date, responds beautifully to pianist Norman Simmons' well-crafted charts; the rest of the cast includes drummer Curtis Boyd; bassist Victor Sproles; and a last minute but valuable substitute, guitarist Mundell Lowe. Her dramatic lagging behind the beat in "The Meaning of the Blues" adds to its appeal. "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" is the only extended piece and was already a regular part of her repertoire by the time of this recording, so her effortless take is no surprise. McRae was an excellent pianist and accompanies herself on the defiant "I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life." Duke Ellington's meditative "Come Sunday" provides a ray of hope among the otherwise bittersweet songs on this CD. Fortunately, Koch had the wisdom to reissue this lost treasure, and it easily ranks among Carmen McRae's best recordings. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     When Sunny Gets Blue 3'50
Marvin Fisher / Jack Segal
2     How Did He Look? 3'08
Gladys Shelley / Abner Silver
3     Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry 3'36
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
4     The Meaning of the Blues 2'49
Bobby Troup / Leah Worth
5     If You Could Love Me 2'08
Norman Simmons
6     Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most 6'21
Fran Landesman / Tommy Wolf
7    Second Chance 3'37
Dory Langdon / André Previn
8    If You Could See Me Now 2'52
Tadd Dameron / Carl Sigman
9     Here's That Rainy Day 2'44
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
10     I'm Gonna Laugh You Right out of My Life 3'23
Cy Coleman / Joseph McCarthy
11     Ghost of Yesterday 3'09
Arthur Herzog, Jr. / Irene Kitchings
12     I'm Lost 2'53
Otis Rene
13     Come Sunday 2'40
Duke Ellington
Credits :
Bass – Victor Sproles
Drums – Curtis Boyd
Guitar – Mundell Lowe
Vocals, Piano (10) – Carmen McRae
Piano, Arranged By – Norman Simmons