JOEY DeFRANCESCO - Singin' And Swingin' (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Joey DeFrancesco the jazz organist meets Joey DeFrancesco the Sinatra-style crooner on this, his first vocal outing. The album is rich in contrasts: eight of the 13 cuts feature a big band, with the likes of bassist Ray Brown, tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, and more; the rest are trio pieces featuring the leader, Paul Bollenback, on guitar and Byron Landham on drums. Vocally, DeFrancesco pours it on with beaucoup reverb (producer John Burk and engineer Bernie Kirsh could have backed off a bit), handling swingers like "Mack the Knife" and ballads like "They Say It's Wonderful" with equal poise and conviction. His organ is present on many of the vocal tracks, but it moves to the fore on the three instrumental originals: "Mr. Dennis Houlihan," a fast rhythm changes tune; "Did You Hear Him Holler," a tongue-in-cheek Cajun groove; and "The Sidewalk Is Wild," a sly big band shuffle that features the leader briefly on trumpet. DeFrancesco also gives his voice a rest on the swing classic "One Mint Julep," the penultimate "Danny Boy," done as a powerful trio ballad, and the closing standard, "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You." DeFrancesco's vocal affect is quite similar to Sinatra's, especially on songs closely associated with him, like "In the Wee Small Hours," one of the all-around best selections. Some won't be able to get past the hammy aspect of the album, but the fact is that DeFrancesco really can sing, and "if you've got it, flaunt it" is a worthy credo for any performer. You've got to applaud him for taking the plunge. by David R. Adler  
Tracklist :
1     You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To 3'43
Cole Porter
2     Mr. Dennis Houlihan 3'52
Joey DeFrancesco
3     They Say It's Wonderful 4'35
Irving Berlin
4     Did You Hear Him Holler? 4'41
Joey DeFrancesco
5     Mack the Knife 3'29
Marc Blitzstein / Bertolt Brecht / Kurt Weill
6     One Mint Julep 5'12
Rudy Toombs
7     In the Wee Small Hours 5'28
Bob Hilliard / David Mann
8     I Thought About You 3'38
James Van Heusen / Johnny Mercer
9     The Sidewalk Is Wild 6'03
Joey DeFrancesco
10     Let Me Love You Tonight 3'30
Mitchell Parish / René Touzet
11     Kansas City 3'43
Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller
12     Danny Boy 6'17
Frederick Edward Weatherly
13     I'm Getting Sentimental over You 627
George Bassman / Ned Washington
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Don Shelton (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11), Sal Lozano (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11)
Arranged By [Big Band] – Horace Ott
Arranged By [Trio] – Joey DeFrancesco
Baritone Saxophone – Jack Nimitz (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11)
Bass – Ray Brown (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11)
Cello – Armen Ksajikian (pistas: 1, 3), Vage Ayrikyan (pistas: 1, 3)
Contractor – Frank Capp
Drums – Byron "Wookie" Landham
Guitar – Paul "Dukie" Bollenback
Organ [Hammond B-3], Vocals, Trumpet – Joey DeFrancesco
Tenor Saxophone – Peter Christlieb (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11), Rickey D. Woodard (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11)
Trombone – Andy Martin (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11), Bob McChesney (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11), George Bohanon (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11), Mike Millar (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11)
Trumpet – Carl Saunders (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11), Conte Candoli (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11), Frank Szabo (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11), Wayne J. Bergeron (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 11)
Viola – Harry H. Shirinian (pistas: 1, 3), Jorge Moraga (pistas: 1, 3)
Violin – Darius Campo (pistas: 1, 3), Debbie Price (pistas: 1, 3), Gil Romero (pistas: 1, 3), Horia Moroaica (pistas: 1, 3), Patricia Johnson (pistas: 1, 3), Rachel Purkin (pistas: 1, 3), Russ Cantor (pistas: 1, 3)
Violin, Concertmaster – Bruce Dukov (pistas: 1, 3)

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." by 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 CONNELLY - Hollywood Sessions (2018) RM / FLAC (tracks), lossless

By the time she was 15, Peggy Connelly (1931-2007) had a lovely voice that won her jobs singing with competitive big bands in her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. At 18, she went in search of work as a model and singer, and after a difficult start, she moved to Hollywood. Once there, she landed two significant opportunities.
The first involved her appearance in motion pictures and TV shows. The second and more important opportunity was the start of her career as a single recording artist. When she sang, Connelly put to good use her beautiful, round tone and commendable lack of artifice to project the intent of any song with lucidity.
She was Frank Sinatra’s girlfriend for over two years, and their relationship opened many doors for her with musicians and the Hollywood studios. Even though Connelly had few significant opportunities in her career to show off her talent as a singer, the times she did resulted in these magnificent recordings. Sinatra, not very fond of praising his colleagues, had no qualms about praising Connelly. When he first heard her sing Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye, he said: “Hi, beautiful lady, you are wonderful.” freshsoundrecords.
Tracklist:
1. You Make Me Feel So Young (Mirow-Gordon) 3:02
2. Trouble Is a Man (Joe Pasternack) 2:41
3. Where Did the Gentlemen Go? (Bobby Troup) 3:07
4. I Have Said Goodbye to Spring (Victor Young) 2:25
5. What Is There to Say? (Harburg-Burke) 2:54
6. Trav'lin' Light (Mercer-Mundy-Young) 2:29
7. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye (Cole Porter) 3:18
8. Alone Together (Schwartz-Dietz) 3:16
9. I Got Plenty 'o Nuttin’ (G.& I. Gershwin) 2:40
10. Fools Rush In (Mercer-Bloom) 2:24
11. Ev'ry Time (Martin-Blane) 2:10
12. Gentleman Friend (Horwitt-Lezzine) 2:46
13. It Never Entered My Mind (Rodgers-Hart) 4:26
14. Why Shouldn't I? (Cole Porter) 2:59
15. That Old Black Magic (Arlen-Mercer) 3:14
16. He Was Too Good to Me (Rodgers-Hart) 2:44
Total time: 46:55 min.
Credits:
Tracks #1-4, from the album “Peggy Connelly Sings” (Nocturne NLP-11/FSR-607)
Tracks #5-16, from the album “Peggy Connelly” (Bethlehem BCP-53)
Also entitled "That Old Black Magic"
Peggy Connelly, sings in all tracks
Personnel on #1-4: Marty Paich’s Orchestra
Jimmy Rowles, piano; Harry Babasin, bass; Roy Harte, drums; Stella Castellucci, harp; Edgar Lustgarten, Kurt Reher, Nat Shapiro, Karl Gottlieb, cellos.
Recorded at Western Recorders Studio, Hollywood, December 15, 1954
Personnel on #5-16: Russell Garcia’s Wigville Band
Conte Candoli, Pete Candoli, Stu Williamson, trumpets; Russ Cheever, soprano sax; Charlie Mariano, alto sax; Bill Holman, tenor sax; Jimmy Giuffre, baritone sax; Al Hendrickson, guitar; Max Bennett, bass; Stan Levey, drums. Featured percussion on #9 & 15: Jack Costanzo, bongos, Ramón Rivera, congas; Willy Gallardo, timbales.
Recorded at Radio Recorders Studio, Hollywood, January 16, 17 & 18, 1956

RUTH PRICE - Ruth Price with Shelly Manne & His Menn at the Manne-Hole (1961-1991) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Singer Ruth Price on this early set falls somewhere between swinging jazz, middle-of-the-road pop, and cabaret. She does not improvise much, but her strong and very appealing voice uplifts the diverse material that she interprets (including "Dearly Beloved," "Shadrack," "Crazy He Calls Me," and "Look for the Silver Lining"), and she brings great sincerity to Leonard Bernstein's "Who Am I." Backed by Shelly Manne's quintet (with plenty heard from pianist Russ Freeman, but just guest spots by Richie Kamuca on tenor and one lone appearance by trumpeter Conte Candoli), Price is in fine form for her debut recording as a leader, which has been reissued on CD in the OJC series. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 I Love You 2:47
2 They Say It's Spring 3:35
3 Listen Little Girl 4:41
Fran Landesman / Tommy Wolf
4 Dearly Beloved 2:38
Jerome Kern / Johnny Mercer
5 I Know Why 3:57
6 Shadrack 3:31
7 Crazy He Calls Me 4:29
Bob Russell / Carl Sigman
8 Nobody Else But Me 2:55
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
9 Nobody's Heart 4:32
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
10 All I Do Is Dream of You 2:06
Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed
11 Who Am I 4:19
 12 Till the Clouds Roll By/Look for the Silver Lining 3:30
Buddy DeSylva / Jerome Kern / P.G. Wodehouse
Credits
Bass – Chuck Berghofer
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca (tracks: 1 to 4, 10, 12)
Trumpet – Conte Candoli (tracks: 7)
Vocals – Ruth Price