JUNE CHRISTY — Something Cool (The Complete Mono & Stereo Versions) (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 

 June Christy's Something Cool, originally released as a 10" LP in 1954, single-handedly inaugurated the cool jazz vocal movement. Christy had been a star vocalist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the late '40s, enjoying major hits with "Tampico" and "Shoo Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy." Soon after she left the band, she began working with key Kenton arranger Pete Rugolo and a slew of top West Coast studio musicians (including her husband, tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper) on her first solo album for Capitol Records. The result was Something Cool, which is both a winning showcase for Christy's wistful style and a landmark of cool jazz modernism. From the start, Christy established herself as an artist who strove for the very best in song selection, arrangements, and notably intelligent interpretation. There were perhaps other vocalists with greater vocal equipment, but few could match June Christy's artistic integrity. The celebrated title track is the soliloquy of a female barfly of a certain age, reminiscing (and fantasizing) about better days to a fellow male patron who just might buy her another drink. It immediately became Christy's signature performance, and remained so throughout her career. Other highlights include a swinging "It Could Happen to You," "Midnight Sun," and an ambitious arrangement of Kurt Weill's "Lonely House." Richard Mortifoglio  
Tracklist :
1 Something Cool 4:17
Bass – Joe Confort 
Drums – Frank Carlson
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Gus Bivona
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Geoff Clarkson 
Trumpet – Jimmy Zito 
Written-By – Bill Barnes 
2 It Could Happen To You 1:55
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke 
3 Lonely House 3:56
Written-By – K. Weill, L. Hughes
4 This Time The Dream's On Me 1:29
Written-By – H. Arlen-J. Mercer 
5 The Night We Called It A Day 4:48
Written-By – M. Dennis*, T. Adair 
6 Midnight Sun 3:13
Alto Saxophone – Skeets Herfurt, Willie Schwartz 
Bass Trombone – Dick Noel  
Drums – Alvin Stoller
Guitar – Tony Rizzi
Piano – Paul Smith  
Tenor Saxophone – Fred Fallensby
Trombone – Dick Reynolds, Nick DiMaio
Trumpet – Ray Linn, Ray Triscari, Uan Rasey
Written-By – Mercer, Hampton, Burke 
7 I'll Take Romance 2:19
Written-By – B. Oakland, O. Hammerstein 
8 A Stranger Called The Blues 3:56
Written-By – M. Torme, R. Wells 
9 I Should Care 2:08
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Cahn
10 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:13
Piano – Claude Williamson
Trombone – Bob Fitzpatrick
Written-By – O. Hammerstein, S. Romberg
11 I'm Thrilled 2:39
Written-By – S. Lippman, S. Dee
12 Something Cool 4:57
Written-By – Bill Barnes
13 It Could Happen To You 2:00
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke
14 Lonely House 4:03
Written-By – K. Weill, L. Hughes
15 This Time The Dream's On Me 1:36
Written-By – H. Arlen-J. Mercer
16 The Night We Called It A Day 4:53
Written-By – M. Dennis T. Adair
17 Midnight Sun 3:31
Written-By – Mercer, Hampton, Burke
18 I'll Take Romance 2:20
Written-By – B. Oakland, O. Hammerstein
19 A Stranger Called The Blues 4:19
Written-By – M. Torme, R. Wells
20 I Should Care 2:11
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Cahn
21 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:14
Written-By – O. Hammerstein, S. Romberg
22 I'm Thrilled 2:47
Written-By – S. Lippman, S. Dee
Credits:
Alto Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Harry Klee (tracks: 4, 5, 11)
Alto Saxophone [Soloist] – Bud Shank
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 22), Harry Klee (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 12, 14 to 17, 20, 21)
Arranged By, Conductor – Pete Rugolo
Baritone Saxophone – Bob Gordon (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 11), Chuck Gentry (tracks: 1, 6 to 8), Johnny Rotella (tracks: 2, 3, 9)
Bass – Harry Babasin (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Joe Mondragon (tracks: 2, 3, 6 to 10, 12 to 22)
Bass Trombone – George Roberts (tracks: 1, 12 to 22)
Drums – Larry Bunker (tracks: 12 to 22), Shelly Manne (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 11)
Flute – Ted Nash (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 9)
French Horn – John Graas (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9), Vincent DeRosa (tracks: 4, 5, 11, 13 to 16, 18 to 20, 22)
Guitar – Howard Roberts (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 11), Jack Marshall (tracks: 12 to 22)
Piano – Claude Williamson (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Joe Castro (tracks: 12 to 22), Russ Freeman (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9)
Reeds – Buddy Collette (tracks: 13, 18, 19, 22), Chuck Gentry (tracks: 12 to 22)
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Giuffre (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 11), Ted Nash (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Bob Cooper (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 10, 12 to 22), Paul Horn (tracks: 12 to 22)
Trombone – Frank Rosolino (tracks: 4, 5, 11 to 22), Harry Betts (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 12, 17, 21), Herbie Harper (tracks: 1, 10), Milt Bernhart (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 22), Tommy Pederson (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Trumpet – Conrad Gozzo, Conte Candoli (tracks: 10, 12 to 22), Frank Beach (tracks: 6, 12 to 22), Maynard Ferguson (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9, 11), Ollie Mitchell (tracks: 12, 17, 21), Shorty Rogers (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 11)
Tuba – Paul Sarmento (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11), Phil Stephens (tracks: 13 to 16, 18 to 20, 22)
Vocals – June Christy

PEGGY LEE & JUNE CHRISTY - The Complete Peggy Lee & June Christy Capitol Transcription Sessions (1998) 5CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mosaic, the Rolls-Royce of record companies, has produced another of its limited-edition gems (5,000 copies and no more). This five-CD boxed set highlights the early work of two of the more famous vocal graduates of the swing era -- Peggy Lee and June Christy. Recently signed by Capitol, they were the company's attempt to break into the transcription business. Transcriptions were records provided to radio stations to fill a constant need for music that regular commercial releases were unable to meet. Most of the songs on this album, cuts from 1945 through 1949, were never before or since recorded by Lee and Christy, so they are a nice addition to their respective discographies. Of the two, Peggy Lee's style is clearly the most advanced. She had a successful tenure with Benny Goodman in the early '40s. After completing a hiatus as a homemaker for her husband, Dave Barbour, who accompanies her on several of these cuts, she started recording with Capitol in 1946. Her languid, laid-back approach that was to characterize her singing for the next 50-plus years was pretty well-developed by this time. In contrast, June Christy, who had just joined the Stan Kenton band, was still searching for her singing personality. The early cuts reveal she was still very much bound to Billie Holiday's style. But, by the time of the 1946 sessions on this album, the voice that was to become one of the most recognized by popular song fans, with Kenton and, later, with Pete Rugolo, Lou Levy, and others began to unfold. One surprise on the Christy sides is the valve-trombone work by Gene Roland. Noted more for his arranging skills than his soloing, his trombone work glistens on such cuts as "How High the Moon." Like all Mosaic releases, this album comes with complete annotations and an informative booklet. by Dave Nathan  
CD1
June Christy And The Kentones    
1    June Christy And The Kentones–    Make Love To Me    3:58
2    June Christy And The Kentones–    How High The Moon    2:42
3    June Christy And The Kentones–    Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams    2:09
4    June Christy And The Kentones–    Can't Help Loving That Man    3:07
5    June Christy And The Kentones–    Sweet Lorraine    2:31
6    June Christy And The Kentones–    Don't Worry 'Bout Me    1:56
7    June Christy And The Kentones–    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me    1:35
8    June Christy And The Kentones–    June's Blues    2:40
9    June Christy And The Kentones–    Mean To Me    1:55
10    June Christy And The Kentones–    September In The Rain    3:41
11    June Christy And The Kentones–    You Took Advantage Of Me    2:28
12    June Christy And The Kentones–    Stompin' At The Savoy    2:41
13    June Christy And The Kentones–    I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance    4:22
14    June Christy And The Kentones–    The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else    2:54
15    June Christy And The Kentones–    Moonglow    2:58
16    June Christy And The Kentones–    Get Happy    2:51
17    June Christy And The Kentones–    I Got A Guy    3:23
18    June Christy And The Kentones–    Lover Man    3:26
CD2
1    June Christy And The Kentones–    Lullaby In Rhythm    2:32
2    June Christy And The Kentones–    This Is Romance    3:14
3    June Christy And The Kentones–    Supper Time    3:32
4    June Christy And The Kentones–    I'm Thrilled    3:05
5    June Christy And The Kentones–    I Can't Give You Anything But Love    1:56
6    June Christy And The Kentones–    How Long Has This Been Going On    3:04
7    June Christy And The Kentones–    You're Blase    2:58
8    June Christy And The Kentones–    Prelude To A Kiss    2:57
9    June Christy And The Kentones–    What's New    3:08

Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra    
10    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    Wherever There's Me There's You    2:12
11    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    All The Cats Join In    2:15
12    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    A Nightingale Can Sing The Blues    3:10
13    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    Come Rain Or Come Shine    3:15
14    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    The Best Man    2:21
15    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    If You Were The Only Boy    2:12
16    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    Love Doesn't Grow On Trees    2:25
17    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    I Guess I'll Get The Papers And Go Home    2:09
18    Peggy Lee With The Frank DeVol Orchestra–    My Sugar Is So Refined    3:02

CD3
Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind    
1    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me    1:43
2    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Lonesome Road    4:03
3    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Them There Eyes    2:25
4    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me    2:53
5    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    The Glory Of Love    2:16
6    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Melancholy Lullaby    3:04
7    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Taking A Chance On Love    2:15
8    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    A Cottage For Sale    3:24
9    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Fools Rush In    3:06
10    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Sometimes I'm Happy    2:21
11    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    The Way You Look Tonight    4:34
12    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Love Is Just Around The Corner    2:01
13    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Porgy    3:24
14    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Blue Skies    2:04
15    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    I've Had My Moments    3:48
16    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Blue Moon    2:28
17    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Don't Be So Mean To Baby ("Cause Baby's So Good To You)    3:56
18    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Can't Help Lovin' That Man    3:22
19    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Mean To Me    2:05
20    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    I'm Confessin'    3:20
21    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Summertime    3:29
CD4
1    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    I Can't Give You Anything But Love    2:05
2    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Georgia On My Mind    2:53
3    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Rockin' Chair    2:05
4    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Swing Low Sweet Chariot    2:09
5    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Just Like A Gypsy    2:18
6    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Somebody Loves Me    2:04
7    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Lullaby Of Broadway    2:44
8    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    In My Solitude    2:32
9    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    I Get A Kick Out Of You    3:08
10    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Lover, Come Back To Me!    3:41
11    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    I Don't Know Enough About You    3:04
12    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Oh, Look At Me Now    1:52
13    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    I Got It Band (And That Ain't Good)    3:41
14    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Someday, Sweetheart    1:57
15    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight    1:56
16    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Dancing With Tears In My Eyes    2:27
17    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone    2:31
18    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Birth Of The Blues    1:52
19    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Careless    2:03
20    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Then I'll Be Happy    2:13
21    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    I Only Have Eyes For You    3:05
22    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    Back In Your Own Backyard    2:18
23    Peggy Lee With The Four Of A Kind–    How Long Has This Been Going On    3:43

CD5
Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet    
1    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart    2:53
2    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    As Long As I'm Dreaming    2:07
3    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Swingin' On A Star    2:44
4    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Aren't You Glad You're You    2:07
5    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Trav'lin' Light    2:58
6    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Save Your Sorrow For Tomorrow    1:49
7    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Oh! You Crazy Moon    2:14
8    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    'S Wonderful    2:30
9    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Imagination    2:33
10    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    This Can't Be Love    2:17
11    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    You're Driving Me Crazy    2:18
12    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Goody Goody    2:22
13    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    I Ain't Got Nobody    2:13
14    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Molly Malone    3:31
15    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    This Little Piggie    2:33
16    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    But Beautiful    2:33
17    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    Fine And Dandy    2:11
18    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    'T Ain't So, Honey, 'T Ain't So    2:24
19    Peggy Lee With The Dave Barbour Quartet–    When A Woman Loves A Man    2:11
All Credits

JUNE CHRISTY - This Time of Year (1961-2005) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 
June Christy was always an exceptional vocalist steeped in cool jazz who had a knack for unearthing interesting songs and fostering under-recorded songwriters. With the unjustly neglected This Time of Year Christy decided to address the fact that every single Christmas album seems to feature the same few seasonal songs. This Time of Year is that rarest of things -- a winter concept album of all new material that can be listened to even when the holidays are over. While Christy had a sunny image, listeners sometimes confuse her upbeat blonde looks with her actual music; here she continues her propensity to explore the darker end of the emotional spectrum on what is basically the Only the Lonely of Christmas albums. The fact that the title track finds Christy singing, "I feel like a Christmas Cinderella/Trading in her fellah and her dreams" immediately clues you into the fact that this isn't exactly the kind of yuletide cheer that Andy Williams spreads. But the album isn't only a refreshing change of pace -- it succeeds on musical merits alone and master arranger Pete Rugolo (who was to June Christy what Nelson Riddle was to Frank Sinatra) contributes deceptively complex charts that support Christy beautifully. Of course, things get better for the lovelorn protagonist through the course of the album, but not before Christy reminds you that the forced joviality of Christmas can sometimes make you feel less, not more, connected to your fellow man. This Time of Year remains the Christmas album of choice for those who feel a little out of step with the holidays. by Nick Dedina  
Tracklist:
1 Christmas Heart 2:58
2 Ring A Merry Bell 3:00
3 Hang Them On The Tree 2:16
4 The Little Star 3:06
5 The Merriest 2:06
6 This Time Of Year 3:34
7 Seven Shades Of Snow 3:29
8 Sorry To See You Go 2:24
9 The Magic Gift 3:24
10 Winter's Got Spring Up Its Sleeve 2:36
Credits:
Conductor – Pete Rugolo
Written-By – Arnold Miller, Connie Pearce