CARMEN McRAE - Fine and Mellow + Fine and Mellow 'Live at Birdland West' (1988-2000) 3CD | SACD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist 1 :
1     I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance 3'45
Bing Crosby / Ned Washington / Victor Young
2     More Than You Know 4'37
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
3     Gentleman Friend 4'14
Arnold B. Horwitt / Richard Lewine
4     Too Late Now 5'06
Burton Lane / Alan Jay Lerner
5     You're All I Need 3'18
Walter Jurmann / Bronislaw Kaper
6     What Is There to Say 4'49
Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
7     Cloudy Morning 2'59
Marvin Fisher / Joseph McCarthy
8     I'm an Errand Girl for Rhythm 3'31
Nat King Cole
9     Beautiful Moons Ago 3'10
Nat King Cole / Oscar Moore
10     The Frim Fram Sauce 3'57
Redd Evans / Joe Ricardel
11     How Does It Feel? 4'02
Roy Alfred / Marvin Fisher
12     I Can't See for Lookin' 3'28
Nadine Robinson / Arnold Stanford
13     Your're Lookin' at Me 4'10
Bobby Troup
14     Just You, Just Me 3'59
Jesse Greer / Raymond Klages
15     Come in out of the Rain 3'10
Bob Russell / Carl Sigman
Tracklist 2 :
1     Heat Wave 3'06
Irving Berlin
2     All in Love Is Fair 4'24
Stevie Wonder
3     Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me 3'10
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
4     Love 3'05
Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin
5     Speak Low 4'49
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill
6     Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing 3'43
Stevie Wonder
7     What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry 5'33
Walter Donaldson / Abe Lyman
8     Fine and Mellow 9'36
Billie Holiday
9     These Foolish Things 5'25
Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey
10     Black and Blue 7'38
Harry Brooks / Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
11     Until the Real Thing Comes Along 5'04
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin / Mann Holiner / Albert
12     One More Chance 4'15

 

Although Carmen McRae is the obvious star of her live record (which has been reissued on CD), she gives plenty of solo space to her notable all-star band (Red Holloway on tenor and alto, organist Jack McDuff, guitarist Phil Upchurch, bassist John Clayton, and drummer Paul Humphrey). McRae did not record in this context with an organ group very often. All seven songs (which range in length from four minutes to the nine-and-a-half-minute title track) are swing-era standards except for Eubie Blake's "My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More," which dates back to the early '20s, but McRae updates them a bit and makes them sound relevant and swinging. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     What Is This Thing Called Love? 6'46
Cole Porter
2     What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry 5'07
Walter Donaldson / Abe Lyman
3     Fine and Mellow 9'31
Billie Holiday
4     These Foolish Things 5'20
Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey
5     Black and Blue 7'37
Harry Brooks / Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
6     One More Chance 4'06         
Carolyn A. Gillman
7     Untill the Real Thing Comes Along 5'00
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin / L.E. Freeman / Mann Holiner
8     My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More 6'44
Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf
Credits :
Bass – John Clayton
Drums – Paul Humphrey
Guitar – Phil Upchurch
Organ – Jack McDuff
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Red Holloway
Vocals – Carmen McRae

CARMEN McRAE - For Lady Day, Vol. 1 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Carmen McRae always considered Billie Holiday to be the most important influence not only on her singing but on her life. Six years before she recorded her monumental tributes to Thelonious Monk and Sarah Vaughan, McRae performed a Billie Holiday set at New York's Blue Note Club that was broadcast over the radio; on the first of two volumes, McRae, who talks movingly about Lady Day at the beginning of the set and accompanies herself on piano on "I'm Pulling Through," is heard in prime form, combining the power and range of her earlier years with the emotional depth and behind-the-beat phrasing of her last period. Accompanied by her rhythm section of the time (pianist Marshall Otwell, bassist John Leftwich, and drummer Donald Bailey) and occasionally the tenor of Zoot Sims, McRae really digs into the material, interpreting the songs in her own style but with a knowing nod toward Holiday. This wonderful set is far superior to most of the Billie Holiday tribute albums and reminds one how much Carmen McRae is missed. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Intro 3'31
Carmen McRae feat: Diana Hamilton
2     Miss Brown to You 3'34
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin / Richard A. Whiting
3     Good Morning Heartache 4'22
Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher / Irene Higginbotham
4     I'm Gonna Lock My Heart (And Throw Away the Key) 4'24
Jim Eaton / Terry Shand
5     Fine and Mellow 6'24
Billie Holiday
6     Them There Eyes 1'26
Maceo Pinkard / Doris Tauber / William Tracey
7     Lover Man 6'19
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
8     I Cried for You 2'19
Gus Arnheim / Arthur Freed / Abe Lyman
9     God Bless the Child 6'42
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
10     I Hear Music 2'58
Burton Lane / Frank Loesser
11     I'm Pulling Through 3'17
Arthur Herzog, Jr. / Irene Wilson
12     Don't Explain 4'06
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
13     What a Little Moonlight Can Do 2'50
Harry Woods
Credits :
Bass – John Leftwich
Drums – Donald Bailey
Piano – Carmen McRae (pistas: 11), Marshall Otwell (pistas: 1 to 10)
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 5, 7 to 10)
Vocals – Carmen McRae

CARMEN McRAE - For Lady Day, Vol. 2 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second volume of Carmen McRae's heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday, like the first, comes from a broadcast taped by WBGO-FM at the Blue Note in New York City on New Year's Eve, 1983. McRae takes a few minutes to explain the evolution of her tribute and she hardly attempts to sing Holiday's material in the same way, but utilizing her own powerful, emotional approach, often lagging behind the beat. McRae also delves into songs that Holiday performed but are not as readily associated with her, such as "Laughing at Life" and "You Ain't Gonna Bother Me No More." Her rhythm section, including pianist Marshall Otwell, bassist John Leftwich, and drummer Donald Bailey, provides strong support, with the occasional appearance of tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims (especially on "My Old Flame" and "Mean to Me") providing an added bonus. Like the first volume, this Novus CD was not released until after McRae's death, while this outstanding set makes jazz fans wonder why record labels don't mine public radio live broadcasts for similar performances more often. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Intro 3'27
2     Laughing at Life 2'06
3     You Ain't Gonna Bother Me No More 3'48
4     Easy Livin' 2'53
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
5     Yesterdays 4'41
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
6     My Old Flame 6'18
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston
7     Nice Work If You Can Get It 2'50
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
8     Billie's Blues 4'48
Billie Holiday
9     Travelin' Light 3'26
Jimmy Mundy / James Young
10     If You Were Mine 5'46
11     It's Like Reaching for the Moon 5'46
Al Sherman
12     I'm Painting the Town Red 1'36
Charles Newman / Charles Tobias
13     You've Changed 5'31
14     Mean to Me 3'19
Credits :
Bass – John Leftwich
Drums – Donald Bailey
Music Director [Series Director] – Brian Bacchus
Piano – Marshall Otwell
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Vocals – Carmen McRae

CARMEN McRAE - Live In Tokyo (1986-1999) Mp320k

Tracklist :
1    That Old Black Magic
2    I Get Along Without You Very Well
3    Love Came On Stealthy Fingers
4    Getting Some Fun Out Of Life
5    Thou Swell
6    My Old Flame
7    Yesterdays
8    Listen Here
9    If I Were A Bell
10    But Not For Me
11    What A Little Moonlight Can Do
12    That Old Devil Called Love
13    As Long As I Live
14    No More Blues
15    Love Theme / A Star Is Born (Evergreen)
16    With One More Look At You
Credits :
Bass – Bob Bowman
Drums – Mark Pulice
Piano – Pat Coil
Vocals – Carmen McRae

CARMEN McRAE | JOE WILLIAMS and CAT ANDERSON with THE THAD JONES BAND - Riviera Summit (1979-2001) Mp320k

Riviera Summit captures a live performance by Thad Jones, Cat Anderson, and Claude Bolling as a trio -- the former two on trumpet, the latter on piano. The performance originally took place at the Midem Jazz Gala in Cannes, France, in January 1979. The trio performs a total of 11 songs, some originals, some not. If you enjoy the music of the featured musicians or other Thad Jones Band performances, there's a good chance you'll enjoy this performance, even if there's nothing particularly special or novel about it. Jason Birchmeier
Tracklist :
1     Work Song 3'03
Nat Adderley / Oscar Brown, Jr.
2     Blue in My Heart 3'17
Benny Carter / Irving Mills
3     Just the Way You Are 6'54
Billy Joel
4     It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 3'30
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
5     Them There Eyes 4'03
Maceo Pinkard / Doris Tauber / William Tracey
6     Body and Soul 6'03
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
7     'Tis Autumn 4'32
Harry Fox / Henry Nemo
8     Bye Bye Blackbird 2'32
Mort Dixon / Ray Henderson
9     The End of a Beautiful Friendship 3'02
Donald Kahn / Stanley Styne
10     Jungle Trap 5'20
Claude Bolling
11     For Jammers Only 1'28
Claude Bolling 

CARMEN McRAE - Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz (2002) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Carmen McRae was a guest on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz in 1985 and ended up being one of the most memorable singers to appear on the series. While she was known to have a been a better-than-average pianist, she rarely recorded accompanying herself, though McPartland, an old friend, succeeded in encouraging her to sing and play solo on several numbers, including infrequently heard ballads such as Teddy Wilson's "It's the Little Things Which Mean a Lot," Irene Kitchings' (Teddy Wilson's first wife) "I'm Pulling Through," and Duke Ellington's "I Never Felt This Way Before." McRae explains to McPartland how hard it is to play piano and sing simultaneously following her solo take of "I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You" and jokes during the song, "I wonder why I picked this song?," adding the humorous closing tag line, "I'm gonna get out of this real quick." The two piano duets, "As Time Goes By" and the improvised "Carmen's Blues," are a little bit tentative simply because McRae was not used to playing piano with a partner, but the two musicians clearly enjoy themselves so it doesn't distract from either track. McPartland, of course, is a consummate accompanist for McRae's vocals during a moving "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears out to Dry" (with the pianist sitting out the opening verse) and a delightful romp through "Old Devil Moon." McRae is also very moved by McPartland's lovely, improvised "Theme for Carmen" and her delicate interpretation of "Embraceable You." The interview segments are every bit as lively and entertaining as the music, so this is a CD that fans of Carmen McRae should purchase without hesitation. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1    Carmen McRae–    It's The Little Things That Mean So Much    0:53
2    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    4:06
3    Carmen McRae–    I'm Pulling Through    2:19
4    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    0:52
5    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Sweet Lorraine    3:52
6    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    2:01
7    Carmen McRae–    I Never Felt This Way Before    3:09
8    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    0:48
9    Marian McPartland–    Theme For Carmen    5:01
10    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    0:52
11    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    As Time Goes By    3:55
12    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    0:33
13    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Carmen's Blues    1:33
14    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    1:26
15    Carmen McRae–    As Long As I Live    3:40
16    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    1:30
17    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry    5:15
18    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    1:11
19    Carmen McRae–    I Hadn't Anyone Till You    2:00
20    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    3:07
21    Marian McPartland–    Embraceable You    3:52
22    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Conversation    1:37
23    Carmen McRae, Marian McPartland–    Old Devil Moon    3:49

CARMEN McRAE - Carmen McRae Sings Great American Songwriters (1993) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Instead of reissuing all of singer Carmen McRae's early records for Decca in chronological order, the GRP program has hedged its bets a bit by coming up with highlights from each of her sessions although, with the various CDs on a whole, nearly everything has being reissued anyway. The 20 numbers on this CD are taken from ten different sessions and find McRae joined by the Mat Mathews Quintet (featuring flutist Herbie Mann), the Ray Bryant Trio, and several large orchestras. The repertoire is taken from the songbooks of some of the classic American composers (including Gershwin, Porter, Kern, Rodgers & Hart and Arlen); McRae's interpretations are both respectful and swinging. It is particularly interesting to hear how high her voice could go in the early days. This CD is easily recommended to her fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
 1     You Took Advantage of Me 2'36
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2     Yesterdays 2'34
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
3     Last Night When We Were Young 2'36
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
4     I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket 2'21
Irving Berlin
5     Blue Moon 2'33
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6     I Was Doing All Right 2'47
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7     My Foolish Heart 3'10
Ned Washington / Victor Young
8     My Funny Valentine 4'20
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
9     Nice Work If You Can Get It 2'28
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
10     Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 2'25
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
11     All the Things You Are 2'23
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
12     I Get a Kick Out of You 2'12
Cole Porter
13     My Man's Gone Now 4'13
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
14     Summertime 2'55
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
15     He Was Too Good to Me 2'40
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
16     How Long Has This Been Going On? 4'04
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
17     When I Fall in Love 3'46
Edward Heyman / Victor Young
18     My Romance 3'51
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
19     I Concentrate on You 3'30
Cole Porter
20     Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 3'02
Cole Porter

CARMEN McRAE WITH DAVE BRUBECK - Take Five Live (1961-2009) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Around the time that she was participating in Dave Brubeck's Real Ambassadors, singer Carmen McRae appeared at Basin Street East with the backing of Brubeck's trio (no Paul Desmond on this set). The resulting live album finds McRae mostly interpreting the lyrics of Iola Brubeck; all dozen songs except Desmond's "Take Five" are Dave Brubeck originals. This interesting set finds McRae's voice in prime form, and her vocal versions of such songs as "In Your Own Sweet Way," "Ode to a Cowboy," "It's a Raggy Waltz" And "Travellin' Blues" are definitive. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     When I Was Young 2'55
Dave Brubeck / Iola Brubeck
2     In Your Own Sweet Way 3'03
Dave Brubeck / Iola Brubeck
3     Too Young for Growing Old 3'03
Dave Brubeck / Iola Brubeck
4     Ode to a Cowboy 3'05
Dave Brubeck / Iola Brubeck
5     There'll Be No Tomorrow 4'41
Dave Brubeck / Iola Brubeck
6     Melanctha 4'45
Dave Brubeck
7     It's a Raggy Waltz
Dave Brubeck
8     Oh So Blue 2'37
Dave Brubeck
9     Lord, Lord 5'30
Dave Brubeck / Iola Brubeck
10     Travellin' Blues 2'59
Dave Brubeck / Iola Brubeck
11     Take Five 2'21
Iola Brubeck / Paul Desmond
12     Easy as You Go 1'43
Dave Brubeck / Iola Brubeck
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Paul Desmond
Bass – Eugene Wright
Drums – Joe Morello
Piano, Liner Notes – Dave Brubeck
Vocals – Carmen McRae

CARMEN McRAE — The Great American Songbook (1972) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On this popular two-LP set, singer Carmen McRae interprets songs by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Michel Legrand, Warren & Dubin, Henry Mancini, and Jimmy Van Heusen, among others, but it is her rendition of a humorous Jimmy Rowles novelty ("The Ballad of Thelonious Monk") that is best remembered. Joined by pianist Rowles, guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Chuck Domanico, and drummer Chuck Flores, McRae had what was at the time a rare opportunity to record a live, spontaneous, jazz-oriented set. She sounds quite enthusiastic about both her accompaniment and the strong repertoire, which includes "At Long Last Love," "I Only Have Eyes for You," "Sunday," "I Cried for You," and "I Thought About You." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Satin Doll 4'34
Duke Ellington / Johnny Mercer / Billy Strayhorn
2     At Long Last Love 2'27
Cole Porter
3     If the Moon Turns Green 4'22
Paul Coates / Bernie Hanighen
4     Day by Day 2'22
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
5     What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? 4'14
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Michel Legrand
6     I Only Have Eyes for You 4'12
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
7     Medley: Easy Living/The Days of Wine and Roses/It's Impossible 9'14
Henry Mancini / Armando Manzanero / Johnny Mercer / Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin / Sid Wayne
8     Sunday 4'10
Chester Conn / Benny Krueger / Ned Miller / Jule Styne
9     A Song for You 4'46
Leon Russell
10     I Cried for You 2'21
Gus Arnheim / Arthur Freed / Abe Lyman
11     Behind the Face 2'44
Jimmy Rowles
12     The Ballad of Thelonious Monk 3'29
Jimmy Rowles
13     There's No Such Thing as Love 5'00
Ian Fraser / Anthony Newley
14     (They Long to Be) Close to You 4'37
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
15     Three Little Words 1'58
Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby
16     Mr. Ugly 4'00
Norman Mapp
17     It's Like Reaching for the Moon 2'53
Al Lewis / Gerald Marqusee / Al Sherman
18     I Thought About You 3'54
James Van Heusen / Johnny Mercer
Credits :
Bass – Chuck Domanico
Drums – Chuck Flores
Guitar – Joe Pass
Piano – Jimmy Rowles

BETTY CARTER | CARMEN McRAE - The Carmen McRae - Betty Carter Duets (1996) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter - What's New? 4'20
Johnny Burke / Bob Haggart
2     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter - Stolen Moments 3'36
Oliver Nelson
3     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter But Beautiful 5'55
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
4     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter - Am I Blue 6'45
Harry Akst / Grant Clarke
5     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter -  Glad to Be Unhappy/Where or When 5'33
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter - Sometimes I'm Happy 7'54
Irving Caesar / Clifford Grey / Vincent Youmans
7     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter - Isn't It Romantic? 2'57
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
8     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter - Sophisticated Lady 3'34
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Mitchell Parish
9     Carmen McRae, Betty Carter - It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 6'10
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
10     Carmen McRae - I Hear Music 2'52
Burton Lane / Frank Loesser
11     Carmen McRae - Love Dance 8'09
Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins / Paul Williams
12     Carmen McRae - That Old Devil Moon 3'48
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Burton Lane
Credits :
Jim Hughart - Bass
Eric Gunnison - Piano
Winard Harper - Drums
Carmen McRae, Betty Carter - Vocals 

CARMEN McRAE - Carmen McRae & Friends (1979-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since the cover of this album displays the words "Carmen McRae & Friends" with the words "Thad Jones, Cat Anderson" in smaller print beneath them, one might assume that the "friends" referred to are Jones and Anderson. Actually, this no-frills album is a condensation of the Personal Choice Records release Jazz Gala '79 (PC-51001), recorded at the European MIDEM convention in January 1979 featuring various artists, among them McRae, Jones's orchestra, and Anderson. In fact, despite the headlining status she is accorded here, McRae is only heard on half of the ten tracks. (Joe Williams, uncredited, duets with her on "Them There Eyes.") There is some spirited singing and playing, but the truth-in-packing problems make this a dubious purchase. William Ruhlmann
Tracklist :
1     Body and Soul 5'56
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
2     Bowling Green 4'50
Terry Callier / Holmes Daley
3     Rock Rhythm 4'55
Duke Ellington
4     Bye Bye Blackbird 2'25
Mort Dixon / Ray Henderson
5     The End of a Beautiful Friendship 3'01
Donald Kahn / Stanley Styne
6     'Tis Autumn 4'34
Harry Fox / Henry Nemo
7     Suivez the Chef 3'11
Claude Bolling
8     Back Bone 7'02
Thad Jones
9     Them There Eyes 5'12
Maceo Pinkard / Doris Tauber / William Tracey
10     For Jammers Only 1'22
Claude Bolling

CARMEN McRAE - By Special Request (1956-1992) MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Give Me the Simple Life 2'20
Rube Bloom / Harry Ruby
2     Sometimes I'm Happy 2'30
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
3     Love Is Here to Stay 2'38
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4     Something to Live For 3'11
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
5     I Can't Get Started 3'16
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin
6     Yardbird Suite 1'56
Charlie Parker
7     Just One of Those Things 2'38
Cole Porter
8     This Will Make You Laugh 3'21
Irene Higginbotham
9     My One and Only Love 3'08
Robert Mellin / Guy Wood
10     I'll Remember April 2'36
Gene DePaul / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
11     Supper Time 2'57
Irving Berlin
12     You Took Advantage of Me 2'34
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
- Bonus Tracks -    
13    They All Laughed
14    Keep Me In Mind
15    Ooh (What Cha Doin' To Me)
16    If I'm Lucky (I'll Be The One)
17    Georgia Rose
Credits :
Accordion – Mat Mathews (pistas: 9, 6, 1, 10, 12)
Bass – Wendell Marshall
Drums – Kenny Clarke (pistas: 9, 6, 1, 10, 12)
Flute – Herbie Mann (pistas: 9, 6, 1, 10, 12)
Guitar – Mundell Lowe
Piano – Billy Strayhorn (pistas: 4), Carmen McRae (pistas: 11), Dick Katz (pistas: 2, 3, 4, 5)
Vocals – Carmen McRae

CARMEN McRAE - Woman Talk (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This album captures the best of Carmen McRae's performances at a monthlong appearance at New York's Village Gate jazz club in November 1965. At the top of her form and employing her usual laid-back manner with lots of well-placed space between words and phrases, McRae delivers on a set of those songs that have a touch of irony she seemed to favor as her career and voice matured, with tunes by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley getting the heaviest play. On "Don't Explain," the irony is so powerful that her voice takes on a wounded quality. McRae made this song part of her program as often as she could to honor her mentor, Billie Holiday. Her ability to work behind the beat and her unique wordless vocalizing punctuate this album, being especially effective on "Sometimes I'm Happy," which she turns into a torch song. One of the album's high points is the a cappella opening to "Feeling Good," before the band drifts in with a Latin beat and Ray Beckenstein's flute carrying the instrumental load. Subtlety is not one of the qualities McRae will be especially remembered for. When she wanted to belt, she belted -- and she does with "I Wish I Were in Love Again." All in all, a very satisfying set from a singer who may not be quite up to the level of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan, but who is certainly close enough to be numbered among the vocal jazz elite. Dave Nathan  
Tracklist :
1    Sometimes I'm Happy    3:25
Irving Caesar / Clifford Grey / Vincent Youmans
2    Don't Explain    4:14
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
3    Woman Talk    3:48
Sherl Brady / John Scott
4    Kick Off Your Shoes    2:16
Cy Coleman / Murray Grand
5    The Shadow Of Your Smile    3:54
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster
6    The Sweetest Sounds    2:04
Richard Rodgers
7    Where Would You Be Without Me    2:35
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley
8    Feelin' Good    4:33
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley
9    Run, Run, Run    2:30
Russ Freeman
10    No More    3:16
Tutti Camarata / Bob Russell
11    Look At That Face    5:05
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley
12    I Wish I Were In Love Again    1:34
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
13    You Better Go Now    2:48
14    Love For Sale    7:07
15    If I Could Be With You One Hour    4:28
Credits :
Bass – Paul Breslin
Bongos – Jose Mangual
Drums – Frank Severino
Flute – Ray Beckenstein
Guitar – Joe Puma
Piano – Norman Simmons

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 

CARMEN McRAE - It Takes a Whole Lot of Human Feelings (1973-1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This album captures the best of Carmen McRae's performances at a monthlong appearance at New York's Village Gate jazz club in November 1965. At the top of her form and employing her usual laid-back manner with lots of well-placed space between words and phrases, McRae delivers on a set of those songs that have a touch of irony she seemed to favor as her career and voice matured, with tunes by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley getting the heaviest play. On "Don't Explain," the irony is so powerful that her voice takes on a wounded quality. McRae made this song part of her program as often as she could to honor her mentor, Billie Holiday. Her ability to work behind the beat and her unique wordless vocalizing punctuate this album, being especially effective on "Sometimes I'm Happy," which she turns into a torch song. One of the album's high points is the a cappella opening to "Feeling Good," before the band drifts in with a Latin beat and Ray Beckenstein's flute carrying the instrumental load. Subtlety is not one of the qualities McRae will be especially remembered for. When she wanted to belt, she belted -- and she does with "I Wish I Were in Love Again." All in all, a very satisfying set from a singer who may not be quite up to the level of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan, but who is certainly close enough to be numbered among the vocal jazz elite. Dave Nathan  
Tracklist :
1     It Takes a Whole Lot of Human Feeling 3'48
Mark Grant
2     I Fall in Love Too Easily 3'47
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
3     Hey John 3'23
Jim Council
4     Where Are the Words 3'17
Frank Severino
5     Nice Work If You Can Get It 2'50
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
6     Straighten up and Fly Right 2'47
Nat King Cole / Irving Mills
7     Inside a Silent Tear 5'49
Blossom Dearie / A. King
8     Imagination 4'22
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
9     The Right to Love 4'14
Gene Lees / Lalo Schifrin
10     All the Things You Are 3'59
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Frank Severino
Guitar – Joe Pass
Piano – Dick Shreeve
Vibraphone – Larry Bunker

GEORGE SHEARING | CARMEN McRAE - Two for the Road (1980) APE (image+.cue), lossless

There are far too few recordings of top-notch jazz singers backed solely by equally talented pianists, so this onetime meeting of George Shearing and Carmen McRae proves to be magical. Shearing recorded solo piano sessions a number of times during his long career, though he rarely played unaccompanied for a vocalist, with the exception of his meetings with Mel Tormé. McRae also had a prolific career and is still in great voice interpreting this standard-heavy collection. Shearing's inventive chord substitutions in "Too Late Now" are a treat, with the singer making a delayed entrance. Shearing is rollicking in "Gentleman Friend" (the album's only uptempo track), which also features McRae doing a bit of scatting. The lesser-known "Cloudy Morning" finds the pianist in a bit of an impressionist mood and also sharing the vocals, while McRae's powerful interpretation of "More Than You Know" is another gem. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You 3'42
Bing Crosby / Ned Washington / Victor Young
2     You're All I Need 3'16
Walter Jurmann / Gus Kahn / Bronislaw Kaper
3     Gentleman Friend 4'11
Arnold B. Horwitt / Richard Lewine
4     More Than You Know 4'35
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
5     Cloudy Morning 2'56
Marvin Fisher / Joseph McCarthy
6     Too Late Now 5'04
Burton Lane / Alan Jay Lerner
7     If I Should Lose You 2'18
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
8     Ghost of Yesterday 4'53
Arthur Herzog, Jr. / Irene Kitchings
9     What Is There to Say? 4'47
Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
10     Two for the Road 3'30
Leslie Bricusse / Henry Mancini
Credits :
Piano – George Shearing
Vocals – Carmen McRae

CARMEN McRAE - As Time Goes By : Live at the Dug (1973-1986) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

It may have made Bogart and Bergman immortal, but the song "As Time Goes By" curiously never became one of the many jazz standards of the day. So, to find it here in the company of other perennial songs from the jazz catalog is quite a treat. And even more impressive is the fact Carmen McRae is the one at the microphone. Recorded in 1973 at Tokyo's Dug jazz club, As Time Goes By finds McRae accompanying herself on piano. And if one wasn't quite sure whether to put Miss McRae in the same company as a Sarah Vaughan or Dinah Washington, then this collection of numbers should definitely tip the scales. Here is one of jazz's most underrated chanteuses spelling it all out. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1     As Time Goes By 5'49
Herman Hupfeld
2     I Could Have Told You So 4'21
3     More Than You Know 5'27
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
4     I Can't Escape from You 3'50
5     Try a Little Tenderness 4'00
Jimmy Campbell / Reginald Connelly / Harry Woods
6     The Last Time for Love 6'26
Carmen McRae
7     Supper Time 3'33
Irving Berlin
8     Do You Know Why? 4'51
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
9     But Not for Me 6'01
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
10     Please Be Kind 6'21
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
Credits :
Vocals, Piano – Carmen McRae

JOE WILLIAMS | CARMEN McRAE & FRIENDS - Blues in My Heart (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Suivez le Chef 3'07
Claude Bolling
2     Work Song 2'58
Nat Adderley / Oscar Brown, Jr.
3     Blues in My Heart 3'10
Benny Carter / Irving Mills
4     Just the Way You Are 6'41
Billy Joel
5     Rock Rhythm 4'52
Duke Ellington
6     It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 3'21
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
7     Them There Eyes 3'54
Maceo Pinkard / Doris Tauber / William Tracey
8     Body and Soul 5'50
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
9     Bowling Green 4'48
Terry Callier / Holmes Daley
10     'Tis Autumn 4'32
Harry Fox / Henry Nemo
11     Bye Bye Blackbird 2'20
Mort Dixon / Ray Henderson
12     Jungle Trap 5'22
Claude Bolling
13     The End of a Beautiful Friendship 2'54
Donald Kahn / Stanley Styne
14     Back Bone 7'01
Thad Jones
15     For Jammers Only 1'17
Claude Bolling

CAL TJADER | CARMEN McRAE - Heat Wave (1982) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Vibraphonist Cal Tjader's final album (he passed away four months later) found his band mostly accompanying singer Carmen McRae. The potentially exciting combination does not really come off that well. The musicians (Tjader, a rhythm section, two percussionists including Poncho Sanchez, and a pair of trombonists) had little to do. McRae sounds OK in the Latin setting, but does not uplift the diverse material (which includes "Besame Mucho," "Evil Ways," "Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me," "Speak Low" and two Stevie Wonder songs), and the effort overall is somewhat forgettable and disappointing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Heat Wave
Irving Berlin
2     All in Love Is Fair
Stevie Wonder
3     Besame Mucho
Sunny Skylar / Consuelo Velázquez
4     Evil Ways
Sonny Henry
5     Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
6     Love
Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin
7     Upside Down
Djavan / Djavan Caetano Viana / Regina Werneck
8     Visit
Ivan Lins / Victor Manoel N. Martins
9     Speak Low
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill
10     Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
Stevie Wonder
Credits :
Bass – Rob Fisher
Drums – Vince Lateano
Percussion, Congas – Poncho Sanchez
Percussion, Timbales – Ramon Banda
Piano – Mark Levine (pistas: 1, 4, 6, 10), Marshall Otwell (pistas: 2, 3, 5, 7 to 9)
Trombone – Al Bent, Mike Heathman
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Cal Tjader
Vocals – Carmen McRae

CARMEN McRAE - The Sound of Silence + Portrait of Carmen (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In , 2001 released Sound of Silence/Portrait of Carmen, which contained two albums -- Sound of Silence (, originally released 1968) and Portrait of Carmen (, originally released 1967) -- by Collectables on one compact disc.
The Sound Of Silence (1968)
1     The Sound of Silence 3'01
Paul Simon
2     I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 3'27
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster
3     MacArthur Park 4'01
Jimmy Webb
4     Watch What Happens 2'35
Norman Gimbel / Michel Legrand
5     Stardust 4'05
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
6     Don't Go Away 2'16
Margo Guryan
7     Gloomy Sunday 4'05
László Jávor / Sam M. Lewis / Rezsö Seress
8     I Sold My Heart to the Junkman 3'43
Otis Rene / Leon René
9     Poor Butterfly 2'19
John Golden / Raymond Hubbell
10     My Heart Reminds Me 2'30
Camillo Bargoni / Al Stillman
11     The Folks Who Live on the Hill 4'27
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
12     Can You Tell 2'14
Margo Guryan
Portrait Of Carmen (1967)
13     I'm Always Drunk in San Francisco 3'04
Tommy Wolf
14     Elusive Butterfly 3'02
Bob Lind
15     Day by Day 2'28
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
16     When You Get Around to Me 2'57
Fred E. Ahlert
17     Walking Happy 2'40
Sammy Cahn / James Van Heusen
18     My Very Own Person 2'58
Carmen McRae          
19     Ask Any Woman 3'00
Gerard Langley / J. Stewart
20     Boy, Do I Have a Suprise for You 3'25
Denise Di Novi
21     Loads of Love 3'58
Richard Rodgers
22     I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do 4'33
Lee Pockriss / Paul Vance
23     Wonder Why 2'13
Nicholas Brodszky / Sammy Cahn