Jane Fielding was only 21 when she made these recordings in 1956. Her voice, low and warm, with a fine phrasing, revealed a natural affinity for jazz, something confirmed by the calibre of the stellar West Coast jazzmen she could call on for these rare examples of her fine talent.
They are the only two albums she recorded for Jazz:West, a small, label based in Hollywood. On the first shes backed by a quality quintet led and arranged by pianist Kenny Drew, with two outstanding saxophonists, altoist Joe Maini and tenor Ted Efantis, and a rhythm section including Leroy Vinnegarsharing bass duties with Paul Chambersand drummer Lawrence Marable. Drews beguiling charts blend beautifully with Janes singing.
The second album, made six months earlier, embraces a more intimate mood, and her musical empathy with Lou Levy and Red Mitchell is confirmed by the jazz-trio effect they achieve.
Included as a bonus are two songs she performed on the Stars of Jazz TV show in 1957. She sings so well on these sessionsand with such an innate feel for jazzthat it makes the fact she enjoyed such a brief career on the mid-fifties West Coast scene all the more extraordinary. And disappointing. www.freshsoundrecords.com
Tracklist:
1. Embers Glow 3:52
(Herbert Kimmel)2. Our Waltz 2:30
(Nat Burton- David Rose)
3. Key Largo 3:13
(Suessdorf-Carter-Worth)
4. Along with Me 3:08
(Harold Rome)
5. In Love in Vain 2:45
(Leo Robin-Jerome Kern)
6. Round About Midnight 3:40
(Bernie Hanighen-Thelonious Monk)
7. Too Marvelous for Words 2:32
(Johnny Mercer-Richard Withing)
8. Make the Man Love Me 2:51
(Dorothy Fields-Arthur Schwartz)
9. Right Boy for Me 2:49
(Betty Comden-Johnny Green)
10. All Dressed Up Tonight and No Place to Go 3:20
(Ed Heyman-Oscar Levant)
11. How Long Has This Been Going On 3:31
(George & Ira Gershwin)
12. Long Ago and Far Away 1:54
(Jerome Kern-Ira Gershwin)
13. A Summer Day 3:46
(Rogers-Kimmel)
14. One Song 2:39
(Frank Churchill-Larry Morey)
15. This Heart of Mine 2:05
(Warren-Freed)
16. How Deep Is the Ocean 3:01
(Irving Berlin)
17. Ill Remember April 2:46
(Raye-DePaul-Johnston)
18. Stars Didnt Fall 3:39
(Shorty Rogers-Herb Kimmel)
19. I Wish I Knew 2:06
(Harry Warren-Mack Gordon)
20. Something to Remember You By 2:10
(Arthur Schwartz-Howard Dietz)
- Bonus Tracks -
21. If I Were the Only Girl in the World and You Were the Only Boy 1:51
(Ayer-Gray)
22. Something I Dreamed Last Night 2:37
(Sammy Fain-Herb Magidson)
Total time: 62:46 min.
Sources:
Tracks #1-10, from the album "Embers Glow" (Jazz:West JWLP-5)
Tracks #11-20, from the album "Jazz Trio For Voice, Piano and String Bass" (Jazz:West JWLP-3)
Tracks #21 & 22, form the album "Sessions, Live - Oscar Peterson-Gerald Wiggins (Calliope CAL3001)
Personnel on "Embers Glow":
Jane Fielding (vocals), Joe Maini (alto sax), Ted Efantis (tenor sax), Kenny Drew (piano), Leroy Vinnegar or Paul Chambers (2,4,5,6 & 9) (bass), Lawrence Marable (drums)
Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, February 1956.
Personnel on "Jazz Trio For Voice...":
Jane Fielding (vocals), Lou Levy (piano), Red Mitchell (bass)
Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, August 29, 1955.
Personnel on Bonus Tracks:
Jane Fielding (vocals), Bobby Hammack (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass)
ABC Studios, Hollywood; Live at the Stars of Jazz TV show, March 4, 1957.
