BEVERLY KENNEY - Like Yesterday (1960-1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

With Like Yesterday, Beverly Kenney updates a series of pop standards with a formula rooted in the archly modern sound of Eisenhower-era jazz. Experienced decades after the fact, the album boasts a timelessness that renders its basic conceits of time and place moot, especially given that the fierce intelligence of Kenney's phrasing and the sultry depth of her vocals contrast so sharply with the Doris Day stereotypes associated with the period in question. Backed by a small but exemplary supporting cast including guitarist Chuck Wayne and reedist Jerome Richardson, Kenney eschews embellishment and excess in favor of lean, taut arrangements that emphasize emotional context, Her readings of familiar songs like "More Than You Know" and "A Sunday Kind of Love" possess a startling intimacy. by Jason Ankeny
Tracklist:

1 Undecided 2:11

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Piano – Stan Free

Tenor Saxophone – Al Klink

Trombone – Eddie Bert

2 Sentimental Journey 2:05

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Percussion – Johnny Rae

Piano – Stan Free

Vibraphone – Johnny Rae

3 I Had The Craziest Dream 2:21

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Piano – Stan Free

Tenor Saxophone – Al Klink

Trombone – Eddie Bert

4 And The Angels Sing 1:44

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Piano – Stan Free

Trumpet – Stan Free

Woodwind – Jerome Richardson

5 More Than You Know 2:39

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Piano – Stan Free

Woodwind – Jerome Richardson

6 The Dipsy Doodle 1:44

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Piano – Stan Free

Woodwind – Jerome Richardson

7 What A Difference A Day Made 2:17

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Percussion – Johnny Rae

Piano – Stan Free

Vibraphone – Johnny Rae

8 Somebody Else Is Taking My Place 2:01

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Piano – Stan Free

Tenor Saxophone – Al Klink

Trombone – Eddie Bert

9 A Sunday Kind Of Love 2:30

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Piano – Stan Free

Tenor Saxophone – Al Klink

Trombone – Eddie Bert

10 Any Old Time 1:34

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Piano – Stan Free

Woodwind – Jerome Richardson

11 Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe 2:18

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Percussion – Johnny Rae

Piano – Stan Free

Vibraphone – Johnny Rae

12 Tampico 2:00

Bass – Bill Pemberton

Drums – Ed Shaughnessy

Guitar – Chuck Wayne

Percussion – Johnny Rae

Piano – Stan Free

Vibraphone – Johnny Rae

CHRIS CONNOR - This Is Chris (1955-2001) MONO / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

During 1953-1955, singer Chris Connor recorded regularly for Bethlehem. This reissue LP has her final recordings for the label (before moving up to Atlantic) with such fine sidemen as Herbie Mann (doubling on flute and tenor), pianist Ralph Sharon, guitarist Joe Puma, bassist Milt Hinton, and drummer Osie Johnson. The two-trombone team of J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding (which had recently become very popular) is prominent on four of the ten selections. Connor's cool tone, subtle, emotional delivery and haunting voice were perfect for the music of the 1950s. Highlights of this superior set include "The Thrill Is Gone," "Blame It on My Youth," and "I Concentrate on You," but all ten numbers are rewarding. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Blame It on My Youth 2:40
Edward Heyman / Oscar Levant
2 It's All Right With Me 2:29
Cole Porter
3 Someone to Watch over Me 3:12
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4 Trouble Is a Man 2:54
Alec Wilder
5 All This and Heaven Too 3:29
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
6 The Thrill Is Gone 2:48
Lew Brown / Ray Henderson
7 I Concentrate on You 3:31
Cole Porter
8 All Dressed up With a Broken Heart 1:51
Jack Val
9 From This Moment On 2:31
Cole Porter
10 Ridin' High 4:15
Cole Porter
Personnel:
Chris Connor - vocals
JJ Johnson - trombone
Kai Winding - trombone
Herbie Mann - flute
Joe Puma - guitar
Ralph Sharon - piano
Milt Hinton - bass
Osie Johnson - drums

CARMEN McRAE – Book Of Ballads (1959-2008) RM | SHM-CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Book of Ballads in question is the Great American Songbook, and Carmen McRae breathes new life into some of its most dog-eared pages on this wonderful session that heralded the close of her Kapp Records tenure. McRae tackles material like "When I Fall in Love," "Isn't It Romantic?" and "How Long Has This Been Going On?" with uncommon care and intelligence, summoning rich new meaning from the familiar lyrics. In her hands, the songs pulse with energy and life. Arranger Frank Hunter and a supporting trio led by pianist Don Abney also merit commendation for nuanced, evocative backings that afford McRae the necessary space to do her thing. Jason Ankeny
Tracklist:
1 By Myself  3:12
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
2 The Thrill is Gone 3:52
Buddy DeSylva / Ray Henderson
3 How Long Has This Been Going On 4:06
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4 Do You Know Why?  2:52
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
5 My Romance 3:53

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers

6 Isn't It Romantic 3:00
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7 If Love Is Good To Me 3:29
Redd Evans / Fred Spielman
8 When I Fall In Love 3:47
Edward Heyman / Victor Young
9 Please Be Kind 3:14
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
10 He Was Too Good To Me 2:41
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
11 Angel Eyes 2:41
Earl K. Brent / Matt Dennis
12 Something I Dreamed Last Night 3:59
Sammy Fain / Herbert Magidson
Credits:
Carmen McRae - Vocals with
Frank Hunter Orchestra

BLOSSOM DEARIE - Blossom Dearie Sings Comden and Green (1959-2001) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Buoyed by the success of Ella Fitzgerald's songbook series, Verve executive Norman Granz suggested to one of his other artists, Blossom Dearie, that she tackle the canon of lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green. But while Ella's acrobatic voice proved more than a match for any brand of songwriter (especially heavyweights like Gershwin, Porter, and Berlin), Dearie's porcelain vocals and restrained theatrics didn't immediately leap to mind when thinking of Comden and Green's exuberant material. Still, Blossom Dearie Sings Comden and Green is an interesting songbook, a collection of ten standards done Dearie's way, like no other. Usually accompanied just by bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen, she exercises a great deal of restraint for the usually confident "Just in Time." When the same technique is applied to "Dance Only With Me," however, losing just a few steps of the song's waltz tempo proves nearly fatal. Also, Dearie's voice isn't as strong as on her earlier records; perhaps the slight drop in songwriting quality is as much to blame as vocal strain. The date does pick up when Kenny Burrell arrives for the second side (he provides a deft accompaniment to "The Party's Over" and "Lonely Town"), though as darling as Dearie's voice is, the similarity of the material drags down even the sprightliest songbird. by John Bush  
Tracklist:
1 Lucky to Be Me 4:02
Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
2 Just in Time 3:33
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
3 Some Other Time 3:57
Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
4 Dance Only with Me 2:58
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
5 I Like Myself 3:31
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / André Previn
6 The Party's Over 4:22
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
7 How Will He Know 2:54
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
8 It's Love 2:50
Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
9 Hold Me, Hold Me, Hold Me 3:25
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
10 Lonely Town 3:33
Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
Credits:
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Ed Thigpen
Guitar – Kenny Burrell (tracks: 6 to 10)
Lyrics By [All Lyrics By] – Betty Comden And Adolph Green
Producer [Original Recordings Produced By] – Norman Granz
Vocals, Piano – Blossom Dearie