The history of jazz and blues is full of talented artists who were obscure but didn't deserve to be. One example is Claire Austin, an expressive jazz/blues vocalist who was as proficient with intimate, introspective torch singing as she was with more extroverted classic blues. Claire Austin Sings When Your Lover Has Gone was recorded for Contemporary in 1955 and 1956, and finds Austin favoring vulnerable, relaxed, subtle torch singing (her phrasing could be described as an appealing combination of Mildred Bailey, Peggy Lee, and Billie Holiday). As a torch singer, she embraces the songbooks of great pop composers like Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, and the Gershwin Brothers. by Alex Henderson
Tracklist:
1 When Your Lover Has Gone 4:29
Einar A. Swan
2 Can't We Talk It Over 3:40
Ned Washington / Victor Young
3 My Melancholy Baby 3:52
Ernie Burnett / George Norton
4 I'll Never Be the Same 4:38
Gus Kahn / Matty Malneck / Frank Signorelli
5 Lover, Come Back to Me 4:06
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
6 The House Is Haunted (By the Echo of Your Last Goodbye) 3:59
Basil Adlam / Billy Rose
7 I'm Thru With Love 4:11
Gus Kahn / Fud Livingston / Matty Malneck
8 Someone to Watch over Me 4:23
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9 Come Rain or Come Shine 4:10
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
10 What Is This Thing Called Love? 4:09
Cole Porter
- Bonus Tracks -
11 The World's Jazz Crazy 2:46
12 Down Hearted Blues 3:05
13 See See Rider 3:52
14 Good Time Flat Blues 2:55
15 Careless Love 3:13
16 Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out 3:10
17 Mecca Flat Blues 3:12
18 'Fore Day Creep 3:34
Credits:
Bass – Ed Garland (tracks: 11-18), Morty Corb (tracks: 1-10)
Drums – Minor Hall (tracks: 11-18), Shelly Manne (tracks: 1-10)
Guitar – Barney Kessel (tracks: 1-10)
Piano – Don Ewell (tracks: 11-18), Stan Wrightsman (tracks: 1-10)
Trombone – Kid Ory (tracks: 11-18)
Trumpet – Bob Scobey (tracks: 1-10)
Vocals – Claire Austin
#1-4, 6-10: Recorded in Los Angeles, CA; April 13, 1955.
#5: Recorded in Los Angeles, CA; February 16, 1956.
Originally released on Contemporary (C 5002).
#11-18: Recorded in Losa Angeles, CA; April 2, 1954.
Originally released as the 10-inch LP "Claire Austin Sings The Blues With Kid Ory" (Good Time Jazz L-24).
