DINAH WASHINGTON - Back to the Blues (1963-1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Prior to her 1959 hit "What a Difference a Day Makes," nearly every Dinah Washington recording (no matter what the style) was of interest to jazz listeners. However, after her unexpected success on the pop charts, most of Washington's sessions for Mercury and Roulette during the last four years of her life were quite commercial, with string arrangements better suited to country singers and Washington nearly parodying herself with exaggerated gestures. Fortunately, this 1963 LP is an exception, a blues-oriented collection that features Washington returning to her roots, backed by a jazz-oriented big band (with occasional strings and background voices). Eddie Chamblee and Illinois Jacquet have some tenor solos, guitarist Billy Butler is heard from, and the trumpet soloist is probably Joe Newman. In general, this is a more successful date than Washington's earlier investigation of Bessie Smith material, since the backup band is more sympathetic and the talented singer is heard in prime form. Dinah Washington clearly had a real feeling for this bluesy material. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     The Blues Ain't Nothin' But a Woman Cryin' for Her Man 3:46
J. Mayo Williams
2     Romance in the Dark 2:12
Lillian "Lil" Green
3     You've Been a Good Old Wagon 3:50
Perry Bradford
4     Let Me Be the First to Know 2:39
Leroy Kirkland / Dinah Washington / Pearl Woods    
5     How Long, How Long Blues 4:58
Leroy Carr
6     Don't Come Running Back to Me 2:23
Dinah Washington
7     It's a Mean Old Man's World 3:10
Leroy Kirkland / Dinah Washington
8     Key to the Highway 2:39
Big Bill Broonzy / Charles Segar    
9     If I Never Get to Heaven 3:44
Dinah Washington
10     Duck Before You Drown 2:11
Dinah Washington    
11     No Hard Feelings 2:33
Al Jacobs
12     Nobody Knows the Way I Feel This Morning 8:40
Pearl Delaney / Tom Delaney
- BONUS TRACKS -
13    Don't Say Nothing At All    2:34
14    No One Man    2:05
15    Me And My Gin    4:15
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor – Fred Norman
Vocals – Dinah Washington