CARMEN McRAE - Here to Stay (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of several CDs that reissue singer Carmen McRae's early Decca recordings, this release draws its material from the 1955 small group album By Special Request and a 1959 record with the Ernie Wilkins Orchestra (Something to Swing About). McRae excels in both settings. While tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, trumpeter Richard Williams and pianist Dick Katz get some solo space on the latter album, the former one showcases McRae either with Dick Katz's quartet, accordion player Mat Mathews' quintet (with flutist Herbie Mann) or (on "Something to Live For") with its composer Billy Strayhorn on piano. During an emotional rendition of "Supper Time," McRae herself plays piano. Throughout the 20 selections, the singer is heard in her early prime, hitting high notes that she would not even think of attempting in her later years. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Just One of Those Things 2'38
Cole Porter
2     Something to Live For 3'11
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
3     Sometimes I'm Happy 2'31
Irving Caesar / Clifford Grey / Vincent Youmans
4     This Will Make You Laugh 3'21
Irene Higginbotham
5     Love Is Here to Stay 2'38
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
6     I Can't Get Started 3'16
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin
7     Supper Time 2'59
Irving Berlin
8     My One and Only Love 3'08
Robert Mellin / Guy Wood
9     I'll Remember April 2'36
Gene DePaul / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
10     Yardbird Suite 1'56
Charlie Parker
11     A Sleepin' Bee 2'25
Harold Arlen / Truman Capote
12     Three Little Words 1'50
Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby
13     Comes Love 2'42
Lew Brown / Sam H. Stept / Charles Tobias
14     I See Your Face Before Me 2'20
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
15     It's Love 2'54
Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
16     (How Little It Matters) How Little We Know 2'26
Carolyn Leigh / Philip Springer
17     You Leave Me Breathless 2'35
Ralph Freed / Frederick Hollander
18     That's for Me 2'45
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
19     Falling in Love With Love 2'12
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
20     Love Is a Simple Thing 2'03
June Carroll / Arthur Siegel
 Recording Date | June 14, 1955 - November 12, 1959
All Credits