Thursday, October 19, 2023

Jeri Southern - Jeri's Velvet Voice

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:22
Size: 99,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:41) 1. Kiss and Run
(2:08) 2. Run
(2:35) 3. Bells Are Ringing
(2:37) 4. Speak Softly to Me
(2:57) 5. Candlelight Conversation
(2:51) 6. Forgive and Forget
(2:32) 7. We're Not Children
(3:03) 8. Autumn in My Heart
(2:36) 9. I Waited So Long
(3:00) 10. You Better Go Now
(2:44) 11. The Touch of Love
(3:11) 12. The Ruby and the Pearl
(3:08) 13. The Man That Got Away
(3:11) 14. Don't Explain
(3:02) 15. Nothing at All

A converted piano player and vocal coach, Jeri Southern became one of the most underrated jazz vocal interpreters of the 1950s despite a voice regarded as subpar. Transforming a potential failing into her prime strength, Southern was devastatingly effective at delivering songs charting the downhill romantic life of world-weary everywoman characters. After recording for Decca, Roulette, Capitol and Jasmine during the 1950s though, she abruptly retired after growing tired of the music industry.

Born in rural Nebraska, Jeri Southern played piano by ear at the age of three and began formal lessons three years later. She studied classical piano and voice at a school in Omaha, but after an introduction to jazz at a local nightclub, Southern quickly changed her focus. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and began making appearances at clubs during the late '40s, occasionally supporting Anita O'Day. Convinced to begin singing as well, Southern abandoned her classical training and began singing in a voice just several steps removed from her speaking voice.

After signing to Decca in 1951, her first hit, "You Better Go Now," established her style lyrically focused, somewhat desultory, and definitely lovesick, the style of singing often called (for better or worse) torch songs. Her decidedly unflashy voice lent additional weight to the lyrical concerns of other Southern favorites like "I Don't Know Where to Turn," "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "If I Had You." She also had a moderate hit in 1954 with "Joey" and toured with the Birdland Jazz Stars of 1957. Southern's LPs of the '50s for Decca utilized mostly small groups in an era of large orchestras, including top-flight jazz-pop names like Ralph Burns, Dave Barbour and Marty Paich.

After Southern recorded two LPs for Roulette during 1958, she moved to Capitol for her most celebrated album, 1959's Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter, arranged by Billy May. She recorded only one additional LP for Capitol (live at the Crescendo) before retiring in 1961, disgusted at the state of traditional pop. She married several times, raised a family and worked as a piano/vocal coach in Hollywood until her death (from double pneumonia) in 1991. She was booked for her first studio time in years at the time of her death.by John Bush
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jeri-southern-mn0000324819/biography

Jeri's Velvet Voice

Mundell Lowe - Blues for a Stripper

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2021
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:18
Size: 73,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:30) 1. Blues for a Stripper
(3:25) 2. From Mundy On
(2:15) 3. Montage
(3:33) 4. Coffee, Coffee
(3:41) 5. The Lost and the Lonely
(2:28) 6. Pattern of Evil
(3:30) 7. Satan in High Heels
(2:54) 8. East Side Drive
(3:33) 9. Lake in the Woods
(2:25) 10. The Long Knife

The music on this big-band date led by guitarist Mundell Lowe has a somewhat confusing history, since it was initially released as the soundtrack to the low-budget film Satan in High Heels and later reissued as Blues for a Stripper. The ten originals are written, arranged, and conducted by Lowe, with a formidable all-star big band that includes Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Jimmy Cleveland, Joe Newman, Al Cohn, Oliver Nelson, and Eddie Costa.

His brief sketches are enjoyable, running the gamut of bop, hard bop, cool, and swing, though none of them makes a lasting impression. Sadly, none of the soloists is identified and the solos are too brief to make it obvious who is playing, though Costa takes several excellent solos on vibes. This LP, issued on the Charlie Parker label, is a bit of an obscurity that is worth searching for. By Ken Dryden
https://www.allmusic.com/album/blues-for-a-stripper-mw0000350724

Personnel: Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods; Baritone Saxophone – Gene Allen, Sol Schlinger; Bass – George Duvivier; Drums – Ed Shaughnessy; Guitar – Mundell Lowe; Piano, Vibraphone – Eddie Costa; Saxophone – Al Cohn, Al Klink, Ray Beckenstein, Walter Levinsky; Saxophone, Flute – Walter Levinsky; Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Oliver Nelson; Trombone – George "Buster" Cooper*, Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green; Trumpet – Bernie Glow, Clark Terry, Carl Severinsen*, Ernie Royal, Joe Newman

Blues for a Stripper

Garrison Fewell - Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:11
Size: 122,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:02)  1. Are You Afraid Of The Dark
(6:27)  2. X-Ray Vision
(4:32)  3. Song Of Her
(8:58  4. Journey To The East 1. The Silk Road 2. Statue
(1:51)  5. The 34 Suite Homage À Ravel
(5:12)  6. The 34 Suite Crossing The Border
(5:43)  7. Ten Directions
(7:17)  8. Alto Blues
(6:06)  9. The Tower Of Kazimierz

One of guitarist Garrison Fewell's main teachers was Pat Martino and one can certainly hear a bit of Martino's searching style on this release, Fewell's second for Accurate. In addition, Fewell's world travels (including lengthy trips to the Middle East and Asia) and his interest in folk music from other countries is sometimes hinted at but in general the program (all but two of the nine selections are his originals) is straightahead modern jazz. Joined by the talented pianist Laslo Gardony, the great veteran bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Matt Wilson, Garrison Fewell performs a well-rounded set of high-quality and consistently swinging music, alternating romps with ballads.By Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/are-you-afraid-of-the-dark-mw0000174493

Personnel: Garrison Fewell (guitar); Laszlo Gardony (piano); Cecil McBee (bass); Matt Wilson (drums).

Are You Afraid Of The Dark?