Bethlehem -- Vocalists (LPs, CDs, Vinyl Record Albums) -- Dusty Groove is Chicago's Online Record Store
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Vocalists

XSingers we love -- from vintage torch to vocalese, scat, jazz poetry, standards, and more!

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Exact matches: 3
Exact matches1
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorAll About Ronnie – The Bethlehem Recordings 1953 to 1955 ... CD
Bethlehem/Acrobat (UK), Mid 50s. Used ... $2.99
... CD

Exact matches2
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Carmen McRae/Julie London/Chris ConnorBethlehem's Girl Friends ... LP
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
A split album that features 4 tracks by Carmen McRae with the Mat Mathews quartet, plus 4 more obscure numbers by Julie London, recording with the quartet of Tony Scott. The McRae material is some of her best jazz work from the time – cut in that perfect small group vocal mode that was one of Bethlehem's strongest points in the 50s. Titles on those tunes include "Easy To Love", "I'm Lucky", "Last Time For Love", "Misery", and "Too Much In Love To Care". The Julie London material features backing by Scott on clarinet and Dick Katz on piano, which makes for a very different sound than some of her work for Liberty during the same time. Tunes include "A Foggy Day", "Don't Worry 'Bout Me", and "You're Blase". LP, Vinyl record album

Exact matches3
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ VariousYasukuni Terashima Presents Bethlehem ... CD
Bethlehem (Japan), 1950s. Used ... Out Of Stock
Music from Chris Connor, Jimmy Knepper, Frank Rosolino, Charlie Mariano, Herbie Harper, Mel Torme, Terry Morel, Stu Williamson, Red Mitchell, Betty Blake, Bob Hardaway, Joe Derise, Hank D'Amico, and more. (Jazz, Vocalists) CD
 
Close matches: 34
Close matches4
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Chris ConnorAll About Chris ... CD
Bethlehem/Five Four (UK), 1954/1955. Used ... Out Of Stock
Sublime vocal work from the lovely Chris Connor – a collection of her key mid 50s recordings for Bethlehem Records, all tracks that really helped redefine the sound of the voice in jazz at the time! Before working at Bethlehem, Chris was mostly known as the singer in the big bands of Stan Kenton and Claude Thornhill – but on these recordings, the label wisely set her up in small group format – giving Connor a newly sensitive setting that produced tracks that are still some of her greatest ever! Backings are by the Ellis Larkin Trio, The Vinnie Burke Quartet, and the Ralph Sharon Group – and the CD features 21 tracks that include "All About Ronnie", "Lush Life", "Why Shouldn't I", "Ridin High", "All This & Heaven Too", "Fly Me To The Moon", "Trouble Is A Man", "Stella By Starlight", "He's Coming Home", "Goodbye", and "A Cottage For Sale". CD

Close matches5
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorChris ... CD
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Used ... $3.99
An excellent LP that brings together a dozen tracks from some of Chris' lesser-known recordings for the Bethlehem label – originally released as eps and early 10" LPs. Backing on the set is by The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon combo, and Sy Oliver's orchestra – and the set features tracks that include "All About Ronnie", "In Other Words", "A Good Man Is A Seldom Thing", "I Hear Music", "Out Of This World", and "Lush Life". CD
(Out of print.)
Also available Chris ... LP 24.99

Close matches6
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorChris ... LP
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Very Good+ ... $24.99
An excellent LP that brings together a dozen tracks from some of Chris' lesser-known recordings for the Bethlehem label – originally released as eps and early 10" LPs. Backing on the set is by The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon combo, and Sy Oliver's orchestra – and the set features tracks that include "All About Ronnie", "In Other Words", "A Good Man Is A Seldom Thing", "I Hear Music", "Out Of This World", and "Lush Life". LP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing – red label and deep groove! Back cover has discoloration from age.)
Also available Chris ... CD 3.99

Close matches7
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Chris ConnorChris (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD
Bethlehem/JVC (Japan), 1953/1954/1955. Used ... Out Of Stock
An excellent LP that brings together a dozen tracks from some of Chris Connor's lesser-known recordings for the Bethlehem label – originally released as eps and early 10" LPs. Backing on the set is by The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon combo, and Sy Oliver's orchestra – and the set features tracks that include "All About Ronnie", "In Other Words", "A Good Man Is A Seldom Thing", "I Hear Music", "Out Of This World", and "Lush Life". Chris herself is singing in that moody, icy style that we love so much – sounding especially nice on the sparer tunes, which seem to wallow in lost love and distant longing. CD

Close matches8
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Chris ConnorChris (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD
Bethlehem (Japan), Mid 50s. Used ... Out Of Stock
An excellent LP that brings together a dozen tracks from some of Chris' lesser-known recordings for the Bethlehem label – originally released as eps and early 10" LPs. Backing on the set is by The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon combo, and Sy Oliver's orchestra – and the set features tracks that include "All About Ronnie", "In Other Words", "A Good Man Is A Seldom Thing", "I Hear Music", "Out Of This World", and "Lush Life". Chris herself is singing in that moody, icy style that we love so much – sounding especially nice on the sparer tunes, which seem to wallow in lost love and distant longing. CD

Close matches9
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Chris ConnorChris (with bonus tracks) ... CD
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Used ... Out Of Stock
An excellent CD that brings together 24 tracks lifted from some of Chris' lesser-known recordings for the Bethlehem label – including some tunes from eps and early 10" LPs. Backing on the set is by The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon combo, and Sy Oliver's orchestra – and the CD features tracks that include "All about Ronnie", "In Other Words", "A Good Man Is A Seldom Thing", "I Hear Music", "Out Of This World", and "Lush Life" – in both original and alternate versions. CD

Close matches10
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Chris ConnorChris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland ... CD
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Used ... Out Of Stock
A great set of tracks that represents some of Chris Connor's first recordings as a solo act – culled from earlier ep and 10" releases, and issued here on a full LP with a total of 15 tracks. Backing is by three groups – the Ellis Larkin Trio, Vinnie Burke's Quartet, and Sy Oliver's Orchestra – and Chris is in fine fine form, vocalizing with that icy tone we love so much, a bit sad, and a bit mellow, but always heartfelt, without the forced emotion of other singers of her generation. Titles include "Stella By Starlight", "Goodbye", "Spring Is Here", "Ask Me", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Try A Little Tenderness", and "He's Coming Home". CD
Also available Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland ... CD 2.99

Close matches11
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorChris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland ... CD
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Used ... $2.99
A great set of tracks that represents some of Chris Connor's first recordings as a solo act – culled from earlier ep and 10" releases, and issued here on a full LP with a total of 15 tracks. Backing is by three groups – the Ellis Larkin Trio, Vinnie Burke's Quartet, and Sy Oliver's Orchestra – and Chris is in fine fine form, vocalizing with that icy tone we love so much, a bit sad, and a bit mellow, but always heartfelt, without the forced emotion of other singers of her generation. Titles include "Stella By Starlight", "Goodbye", "Spring Is Here", "Ask Me", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Try A Little Tenderness", and "He's Coming Home". CD

Close matches12
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorChris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland (10 inch LP) ... LP
Bethlehem, 1954. Very Good+ ... $48.99
A great set of tracks that represent some of Chris Connor's first recordings as a solo act – a classic album originally issued as a 10" LP by the Bethlehem label! Backing is by the trio of Ellis Larkins – a great pianist with a really moody style that perfectly fits Connor's vocals – and Chris is in fine fine form, singing with that icy tone we love so much – a bit sad, and a bit mellow, but always heartfelt, without the forced emotion of other singers of her generation. Titles include "I Hear Music", "What Is There To Say", "Why Shouldn't I", "All About Ronnie", and "Spring Is Here". LP, Vinyl record album
(Original 10" pressing. Vinyl and cover are nice!)

Close matches13
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorFinest Of Chris Connor ... LP
Bethlehem, Late 50s. Very Good+ 2LP ... $4.99
A tasty little 2LP set – one that collects the excellent late 50s vocal work cut for the Bethlehem label by Chris Connor! At the time, Chris had a sound that she virtually invented – icy vocals backed by small combo jazz, in a very spare and subtle setting – and the sound was, and is, tremendous – filled with sadness, longing, and booze-soaked sorrow. Instrumentation on the set is by the groups of Ellis Larkins, Vinnie Burke, and Ralph Sharon – and titles include "Trouble Is A Man", "Lush Life", "Out Of This World", "I Hear Music", "All About Ronnie", "Lullaby Of Birdland", and "The Thrill Is Gone". LP, Vinyl record album

Close matches14
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorThis Is Chris ... CD
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Used ... $4.99
Beautifully icy vocals from the amazing Chris Connor – the kind of record that set a new standard for vocal jazz back in the 50s! The session's a small group one – with Chris singing intimately alongside backing from Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, Kai Winding and JJ Johnson on trombones, Joe Puma on guitar, and Ralph Sharon on piano – all lightly arranged to allow Connor's vocals prime placement in the record, while shading in the spaces with some nicely modern colors. Titles are mostly familiar, but wonderfully transformed into Connor's own personal statements – and tracks include "Ridin High", "It's All Right With Me", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart", "All This & Heaven Too", "Trouble Is a Man", "Blame It On My Youth", and "The Thrill Is Gone". CD
(Out of print.)
Also available This Is Chris ... LP 3.99

Close matches15
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorThis Is Chris ... LP
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Very Good+ ... $3.99
Beautifully icy vocals from the amazing Chris Connor – the kind of record that set a new standard for vocal jazz back in the 50s! The session's a small group one – with Chris singing intimately alongside backing from Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, Kai Winding and JJ Johnson on trombones, Joe Puma on guitar, and Ralph Sharon on piano – all lightly arranged to allow Connor's vocals prime placement in the record, while shading in the spaces with some nicely modern colors. Titles are mostly familiar, but wonderfully transformed into Connor's own personal statements – and tracks include "Ridin High", "It's All Right With Me", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart", "All This & Heaven Too", "Trouble Is a Man", "Blame It On My Youth", and "The Thrill Is Gone". LP, Vinyl record album
(Mid 80s purple label pressing – but in a vintage cover, with a split spine, splitting on the top & bottom seams, light surface wear.)
Also available This Is Chris ... CD 4.99

Close matches16
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Don ElliottDon Elliott Sings ... LP
Bethlehem, 1955. Very Good ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Don Elliott puts down his mellophone and starts to sing – and the results are a surprisingly strong set that's one of his standouts of the 50s! Don's got a limited range, but more than makes up for it with his sense of personality – a mode that's a bit like Jackie Paris or Matt Dennis at the time, with qualities that are quite far from mainstream male pop vocals of the period! Backing is by a core cool combo that includes Billy Byers on trombone and Hal McKusick on alto and flute – and the tunes have a sweet modern quality that's mighty fresh. Titles include "Ooh Baby It Scares Me", "I Hadn't Anyone Til You", "Every Time", "Let's Fall In Love", "Whatever Happened To You", and "Looking For A Boy". (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album
(Heavy red label pressing with deep groove. Cover has light surface wear & aging, but is nice overall.)

Close matches17
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Frances FayeBad, Bad Frances Faye ... LP
Bethlehem, Mid 50s. Near Mint- ... $6.99
One of Frances Faye's best sessions – thanks to sharp 50s arrangements from Russ Garcia! Titles include "Love For Sale", "He's Funny That Way", "Toreador", "I've Got You Under My Skin", and "Somebody Loves Me". LP, Vinyl record album
(70s pressing. Cover has a cut corner and light wear.)

Close matches18
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Frances FayeRelaxin With Frances Faye ... LP
Bethlehem, 1957. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
One of the coolest, sharpest albums ever recorded by Frances Faye – a set that has the singer working with unusual backing from Frank Hunter, who brings a lot more punch to the grooves than you might expect! The horns are full – with work by Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, Allen Eager on tenor, and both Bernie Glow and Nick Travis on trumpets – and that unique Faye style of singing really fits in well with the lineup – that kind of short-range quality that makes Frances sound so personal at all the right moments. Titles include "Love Is Just Around The Corner", "Just You Just Me", "Darktown Strutter's Ball", "Well All Right", "My Baby Just Cares For Me", and "Don't Blame Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Close matches19
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Johnny HartmanAll Of Me ... CD
Bethlehem, 1956. Used ... Out Of Stock
Although the world always remembers Johnny Hartman best for his Impulse recordings with Coltrane, we've always dug some of his earlier stuff – like this album – because the sound's a bit rawer, and the style's got more of a kick! The magical Hartman voice is presented in two great settings – one a small orchestra directed by Frank Hunter, the other an even cooler group headed by Ernie Wilkins – with great horn work from players who include Anthony Ortega, Howard McGhee, Jerome Richardson, and Lucky Thompson! The tracks are familiar, but done with that dusky Hartman style – and titles include "I Could Make You Care", "The Lamp Is Low", "Stella By Starlight", "All Of Me", and a very haunting rendition of "The End Of A Love Affair". CD

Close matches20
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Johnny HartmanSongs From The Heart ... LP
Bethlehem, 1955. Good ... Out Of Stock
A nice little album from Johnny Hartman – recorded back in the mid 50s for Bethlehem, in the years before he recorded his more famous dates for the Impulse label! The set has Johnny singing nice and mellow – with backing by a group led by pianist Ralph Sharon, one of Tony Bennett's longtime accompanists, with added trumpet by Howard McGhee – which creates some nicely moody interplay in the relatively spare setting of the session. Hartman's vocals are a dream, as always – and tracks include "What Is There To Say", "Moonlight In Vermont", "I'll Remember April", "Down In The Depths", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", and "We'll Be Together Again". LP, Vinyl record album

Close matches21
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Johnny HartmanSongs From The Heart (with bonus tracks) ... CD
Bethlehem, 1955. Used ... Out Of Stock
A nice little album from Johnny Hartman – recorded back in the mid 50s for Bethlehem, in the years before he recorded his more famous dates for the Impulse label! The set has Johnny singing nice and mellow – with backing by a group led by pianist Ralph Sharon, one of Tony Bennett's longtime accompanists, with added trumpet by Howard McGhee – which creates some nicely moody interplay in the relatively spare setting of the session. Hartman's vocals are a dream, as always – and tracks include "What Is There To Say", "Moonlight In Vermont", "I'll Remember April", "Down In The Depths", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", and "We'll Be Together Again". CD features a number of bonus tracks too! CD

Close matches22
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Teal JoyTed Steele Presents Miss Teal Joy (with bonus tracks) ... CD
Bethlehem/Solid (Japan), 1955. Used ... Out Of Stock
A great little album from this overlooked singer – an east coast vocalist from the 50s, working here on one of the few sessions she ever recorded! Teal's got an exotic look on the cover, but the presentation of the music is right up there in the best mainstream jazz modes of the time – and unlike some of the other small combo vocal work on Bethlehem in the 50s, this album has the fuller feel of the sorts of records you might hear on a label like Capitol or Verve at the time. Ted Steele handles the arrangements – and is also credited with discovering Teal in Atlantic City – and the backings are a mix of jazzy flourishes and larger strings – never poppy or overdone. Titles include "Autumn Leaves", "El Cumbanchero", "Deed I Do", "For You My Love", "Who's Sorry Now", "Let's Fall In Love", and "Easy To Remember". CD also features three bonus alternate takes! CD

Close matches23
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Carmen McRaeFinest Of Carmen McRae – You'd Be So Easy To Love (aka Carmen McRae) ... LP
Bethlehem, 1954. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Great early work from Carmen McRae – small combo, jazzy, and a nicely different set than some of her other work of the 50s! Backings are by two groups – one headed by accordionist Mat Mathews, the other by saxophonist Tony Scott – both quartets, and both of them working with a nicely lean sense of swing that seems to bring the same out of Carmen! The album's not as dark or moody as you might expect from these years – and that's a great thing to us, because it illuminates another side of Carmen's talents that don't always get as much exposure. Titles include "Easy To Love", "If I'm Lucky", "Tip Toe Gently", "Old Devil Moon", "Misery", and "Too Much In Love To Care". LP, Vinyl record album
(70s pressing. Cover has a promo stamp and an unglued seam.)

Close matches24
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Pat Moran QuartetPat Moran Quartet/While At Birdland ... CD
Bethlehem, 1956/1957. Used 2 CDs ... Out Of Stock
A 2CD set that features both albums cut for Bethlehem by the Pat Moran Quartet – a groovy little combo that harmonized vocally while they were grooving on their instruments! The group's led by Pat on piano and lead vocals – and singer Bev Kelly is also with the group – and one album features the quartet on their own, and the other includes additional backings by Nat Pierce, with players that include Anthony Ortega and Sam Most. The four part harmony mode is in the Hi-Los mode, but the twist is that it's half-male, half-female – making for a lighter sound that's as groovy as 50s work by Jackie & Roy. There's a total of 27 tracks in all – with titles that include "This Can't Be Love", "Have You Met Miss Jones", "Gone With The Wind", "Sunday Kind Of Love", "Lullaby Of The Leaves", "I'll Be Around", "Jordu", "Have You Met Miss Jones", "Come Rain Or Come Shine", and "Mother Macree". CD

Close matches25
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Audrey MorrisVoice Of Audrey Morris ... LP
Bethlehem, 1956. Near Mint- ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
The voice of Audrey Morris is a great one – sweet, but also sad too – but never in a too-sentimental way, and perfect for the gentler touch of the Bethlehem label! Audrey's working here with backings penned by Marty Paich – who also plays celeste on the album, with a group that features Stu Williamson on trumpet, Bill Pitman on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Irv Cottler or Alvin Stoller on drums. Paich uses a bit of strings on the date – never too much, but just enough to underscore the sadness of the bluer tunes, and create a bit of softness on a few of the ballads – all in a way that's never too dramatic, and which always gives way to Audrey's vocals when they slide into the mix – preserving the intimate quality that always makes for her best sort of setting. The track selection is great – far more unusual than the typical Bethlehem vocal date, with some great late nite numbers that include "If Love Were All", "I Never Mention Your Name", "It's Always You", "What More Can A Woman Do", "Blue Turning Gray Over You", "I Go For That", and "I Wonder What Became Of Me". LP, Vinyl record album
(80s Spanish reissue pressing – on Fresh Sound.)

Close matches26
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Betty RocheTake The A Train ... CD
Bethlehem, 1956. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the few small group sessions from vocalist Betty Roche – a singer who was known for her work with Duke Ellington, but who sounds even better in this setting! Betty's got a style that's warmly raspy – a bit more edge than some of the cooler vocalists on the Bethlehem label at the time, but still backed with a group that's slightly modern – in keeping with other dates on the label. The combo features Eddie Costa on vibes, Donn Trenner on piano, Conte Candoli on trumpet, Whitey Mitchell on bass, and Davey Williams on drums – all grooving gently with Betty on a set of tracks that includes "Take The A Train", "Something To Live For", "All My Life", "All Too Soon", "You Don't Love Me Any More", "Go Away Blues", and "September In The Rain". CD

Close matches27
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Sue & Ralph SharonMr & Mrs Jazz ... LP
Bethlehem, 1956. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
Mr & Mrs Jazz – and their cool cousins too – given that the combo also features some sublime tenor sax from JR Monterose, in addition to vocals from Sue and piano from Ralph! The set's a much harder-edged date than you might guess from the cover – and Sharon's approach to arrangements is a bit more dynamic than later work with Tony Bennett – swinging in a cool Bethlehem way, but given a great punch from the instrumentation – which also includes vibes from Eddie Costa and guitar from Joe Puma! Sue Sharon's a pretty nice singer, and appears on about half the tracks – the others are instrumentals – and titles include "That Goldblatt Magic", "Mynah Lament", "Just You Just Me", "Nothing At All", "Hugette Waltz", "A Nightingale Can Sing The Blues", and "A Trout No Doubt". LP, Vinyl record album
(Great original pressing, with deep groove! Back cover has light aging – front is great.)

Close matches28
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Nina SimoneNina Simone – Jazz As Played In An Exclusive Side Street Club ... LP
Bethlehem, Early 60s. Good ... Out Of Stock
A classic set of early jazz recordings by Nina Simone – one of her first albums ever, but already with an approach that's quite different from other singers of the time! Nina's singing a fair bit of standards here, but she brings a deeply personal approach to the material – inflecting the tunes with gospel-inspired soul, and showing some very slight folksy touches – of the sort that would come in more heavily on later records. Backing is by a small combo, and tracks include "Plain Gold Ring", "Good Bait", "He Needs Me", "Don't Smoke In Bed", and "I Loves You Porgy". LP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo blue label pressing with deep groove. Cover has some staining & aging on the back and split seams held by clear tape.)

Close matches29
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Nina Simone/DJ MaestroLittle Girl Blue Remixed (180 gram green vinyl pressing) ... LP
Bethlehem/Music On Vinyl (Netherlands), 2016. New Copy 2LP (reissue)... Out Of Stock
Nina Simone's legendary first album gets the remix treatment – and at a level that's even more soulful and dynamic than the Verve Remixed handling of her music! DJ Maestro's at the helm here, but the set features a host of different talents all jumping into the fray – some of whom serve up clubjazz-styled takes on the original tunes, others who move into clubbier territory, with more of an emphasis on beats and grooves! Titles include "Plain Gold Ring (Mop Mop rework)", "Little Girl Blue (Maestro rmx)", "Love Me Or Leave Me (Suonho rework)", "African Mailman (Rebel rmx)", "I Loves You Porgy (Mees Dierdorp remix)", "African Mailman (Opolopo rmx)", "He Needs Me (Gamophonedzie rmx)", and "Love Me Or Leave Me" by Gabriel & Castellon & Maestro rmx)". LP, Vinyl record album

Close matches30
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Mel TormeIt's A Blue World ... CD
Bethlehem, 1955. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the most beautiful albums ever from the great Mel Torme – and a set that's a bit different than his other work for the Bethlehem label too! The set features Mel singing to lush backings from arranger Al Pellegrini – who brings in a mode that definitely lives up to the blue tones promised in the title – with enough melancholy moments in the mix to rival the sound of Frank Sinatra's classic Wee Small Hours album. The voice of the Velvet Fog is perfect in such a setting – and Torme's all serious, all classic, all the way through – no gimmicks or tricks or goofy moments at all. Titles include "How Long Has This Been Going On", "It's A Blue World", "Polka Dots & Moonbeams", "I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good", "All This & Heaven Too", "Wonderful One", and "Stay As Sweet As You Are". CD

Close matches31
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Mel TormeLulu's Back In Town (aka Mel Torme & The Marty Paich Dek-Tette) ... CD
Bethlehem/Rhino, 1957. Used ... Out Of Stock
An incredible album from Mel Torme – easily his best set ever, and a record that helped raise the bar for all other singers back in the 50s! A key part of the success of the set is the presence of Marty Paich as an arranger – as Marty swings the whole thing with a fluid groove that's really amazing, and which is a style that hadn't ever been done on record this well before. The group is filled with hip west coast players like Pete Candoli, Jack Montrose, Bob Cooper, and Bud Shank – all of whom really soar together, and elevate Mel's vocals from the older velvet fog mode, into a leaner, hipper style that's really tremendous! Titles include "The Blues", "The Lady Is A Tramp", "Lulu's Back In Town", "The Carioca", "Sing For Your Supper", and "Lullaby Of Birdland". CD
(1999 Avenue Jazz pressing with a punch through the barcode.)

Close matches32
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Mel TormeMel Torme At The Crescendo ... CD
Bethlehem, 1957. Used ... Out Of Stock
A great little live set from Mel Torme – and one that features the same jazzy style as his studio albums for the Bethlehem label from the 50s! The combo behind Mel is a smallish one – Marty Paich on piano and arrangements, Larry Bunker on vibes, Don Fagerquist on trumpet, Max Bennett on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums – and the arrangements here all have that great mix of sensitivity and swing that Paich was first showing at the time – an approach that really helped Torme hit new levels in his music! Tracks include "Love Is Just A Bug", "Just One Of Those Things", "The Tender Trap", "I'm Beginning To See The Light", and "One For My Baby". CD
Also available Mel Torme At The Crescendo ... LP 4.99

Close matches33
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Mel TormeMel Torme At The Crescendo ... LP
Bethlehem, 1957. Near Mint- ... $4.99
A great little live set from Mel Torme – and one that features the same jazzy style as his studio albums for the Bethlehem label from the 50s! The combo behind Mel is a smallish one – Marty Paich on piano and arrangements, Larry Bunker on vibes, Don Fagerquist on trumpet, Max Bennett on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums – and the arrangements here all have that great mix of sensitivity and swing that Paich was first showing at the time – an approach that really helped Torme hit new levels in his music! Tracks include "Love Is Just A Bug", "Just One Of Those Things", "The Tender Trap", "I'm Beginning To See The Light", and "One For My Baby". LP, Vinyl record album
(Early 80s Cayre pressing. Cover has some ring and edge wear, yellowing from age, and small blemish spots in back.)

Close matches34
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Mel TormeSings Fred Astaire ... CD
Bethlehem, 1956. Used ... Out Of Stock
A wonderful little album by Mel Torme – easily one of his best albums of the 50s, despite the tighter focus implied in the title! Although the set's a tribute to Fred Astaire. the album's got a very similar feel to Mel's classic album with Marty Paich's Dek-Tette for Bethlehem – arranged by Paich, and done in a similar style of small-orchestra jazz – with great lines and solos from key west coast players who include Herb Geller on alto, Bob Enevoldsen on trombone, Jack Montrose on tenor, and Don Fagerquist and Pete Candoli on trumpet. There's a smooth, warm brilliance to the album that's undeniable – and although many of the tunes are older ones from Fred Astaire movies from decades back, they're updated beautifully by Marty Paich's arrangements! Titles include "The Piccolino", "Nice Work If You Can Get It", "A Foggy Day", "They All Laughed", and "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off". CD
(Out of print.)

Close matches35
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Mel Torme, Francis Faye, Johnny Hartman, & OthersComplete George Gershwin Porgy & Bess ... LP
Bethlehem, 1956. Very Good 3LP Box Set ... $5.99
One of our favorite recordings ever of George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess – done by Bethlehem Records in the mid 50s, and featuring nearly every one of the label's great talents at the time! The choice of the lead characters is a bit odd – as Mel Torme plays Porgy and Francis Faye plays Bess – but both singers are actually pretty darn great for the set, and really bring a lot out of the tunes. Plus, the other artists on the set really keep things interesting – as the collection features vocal performances by Johnny Hartman, Frank Rosolino, Betty Roche, Bob Dorough, and Sallie Blair. Plus, the whole thing's presented as Gershwin wrote it – complete with narration by Al Jazzbo Collins, and a number of strong instrumental passages. Music is performed by groups led by Russ Garcia, Duke Ellington, Pat Moran, and Stan Levy – and players are an array of the best of both the New York and LA scenes at the time! LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono red label pressing. Includes booklet, but no handkerchief. Cover has some surface and edge wear, and a few split corners on the box top.)

Close matches36
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Bobby TroupDistinctive Style Of Bobby Troup ... LP
Bethlehem, 1955. Near Mint- ... $13.99
One of the straighter sessions ever recorded by vocalist Bobby Troup – an intimate quartet side, with backing by Howard Roberts on guitar, Bob Enevoldsen on bass, and Don Heath on drums. Bobby sings and plays piano – in that warm, laidback LA style that's made him one of our favorite male vocalists of the time – and he's less tongue-in-cheek here than on some of his other recordings, bringing a simple but honest presentation to material that includes "Have You Met Miss Jones", "It Still Suits Me", "Little Girl Blue", "You Are Too Beautiful", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", and "The Boy Next Door". LP, Vinyl record album
(80s Spanish Fresh Sound pressing.)

Close matches37
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Jerri WintersSomebody Loves Me ... CD
Bethlehem/Solid (Japan), 1957. Used ... $18.99
Jerri Winters gets some hip backings here – thanks to help from the Al Belletto Sextet, who almost share the star spotlight on the record as much as Jerri! The combo are perhaps best known for their 50s work on Capitol, but they sound equally great here – stepping out with a tight sound that must have made them a great act to catch live in a club! And in addition to the combo's instrumentation – which includes alto sax, piano, trombone, and trumpet – the group also harmonize a bit behind Jerri's vocals – supporting her with a sound that's sort of a groovy 50s update on the older 40s mode of matching a female lead with a male harmony group. Don't let all this praise of the Belletto group take away from Winters, though – because she steps out strongly too – and really makes the album sparkle with a personal take on some lesser-remembered standards. Titles include "In Other Words", "Crazy In The Night", "Kind Of Moody", "Ridin On The Moon", "Dark Shadows", "Sometimes I'm Happy", and "It's Always You". CD
(Out of print, includes obi.)
 
Possible matches: 28
Possible matches38
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Betty BennettNobody Else But Me (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD
Atlantic (Japan), 1955. Used ... Out Of Stock
An obscure vocal jazz gem from the LA scene of the 50s – recorded for Atlantic, but done in a style that's a fair bit like the best work for Bethlehem or Mode at the time! Betty Bennett sings here with backings from Shorty Rogers on one side, and Andre Previn on the other – often in a mode that's slightly dark, and subdued – gently moving forth with a nice sense of restraint. Betty's vocals burst out nicely at times – showing a nicely illustrative style, especially on some of the more story-based tunes – and there's a nice choice of material here that's a refreshing change from some of the overdone standards on other vocal albums. Tracks include "Sidewalks Of Cuba", "Island In The West Indies", "Tomorrow Mountain", "This Is The Moment", and "Treat Me Rough". CD

Possible matches39
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Joy BryanJoy Bryan Sings ... LP
Mode, 1957. Near Mint- ... $14.99 19.99
A sweet little session of 50s vocal jazz – equally great not just for the singing by Joy Byran, but also for the arrangements by pianist Marty Paich! Paich's captured here at a great early point scoring for singers – and he gives Joy the same fluid jazzy approach that he used on the best Bethlehem albums by Mel Torme – a great thing for the singer, as it really makes the album sparkle a bit more than it might on its own. Joy's a pretty decent singer overall – with a range that's surprisingly deep, and a delivery that's best on the lighter, more sprightly tunes on the session – which are the sort that Paich does his best work with. Players include Bob Enevoldsen, Herb Geller, and Jack Sheldon – and titles include "You're My Everything", "My Shining Hour", "Round Midnight", "My Heart Stood Still", "I Could Write A Book", and "What Is There To Say". LP, Vinyl record album
(80s VSOP pressing. Cover looks great, with just a bit of light wear.)

Possible matches40
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Chris ConnorChris Connor ... CD
Atlantic, 1956. Used ... Just Sold Out!
The first album in a legendary run of vocal jazz classics on Atlantic Records – and a set that really helped Chris Connor move to a new level of expression in her music! The sound here is much richer than Connor's previous recordings for Bethlehem – and the small combo jazz backings have been replaced by fuller orchestrations by Ralph Burns – done in a cool, edgey sort of way that really pushes Chris into newly sophisticated territory! The sound's on a par with the best June Christy/Pete Rugolo collaborations on Capitol – and the group's filled with some great jazz players, including Zoot Sims, John Lewis, Milt Hinton, and Oscar Pettiford. Titles include "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "My April Heart", "He Was Good to Me", "Where Are You", and "Get Out Of Town". CD
(Out of print.)
Also available Chris Connor ... LP 6.99

Possible matches41
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorChris Connor ... LP
Atlantic, 1956. Very Good ... $6.99 11.99
The first album in a legendary run of vocal jazz classics on Atlantic Records – and a set that really helped Chris Connor move to a new level of expression in her music! The sound here is much richer than Connor's previous recordings for Bethlehem – and the small combo jazz backings have been replaced by fuller orchestrations by Ralph Burns – done in a cool, edgey sort of way that really pushes Chris into newly sophisticated territory! The sound's on a par with the best June Christy/Pete Rugolo collaborations on Capitol – and the group's filled with some great jazz players, including Zoot Sims, John Lewis, Milt Hinton, and Oscar Pettiford. Titles include "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "My April Heart", "He Was Good to Me", "Where Are You", and "Get Out Of Town". LP, Vinyl record album
(Black label pressing with deep groove. Cover has splitting on the spine, some surface wear, aging.)

Possible matches42
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorChris Craft ... LP
Atlantic, 1958. Very Good ... $13.99 16.99
Chris' Craft is a great one here – beautifully simple and straightforward jazz vocals, served up at a level that few other singers can match! The album's one of our favorites from Connor's classic years with Atlantic – as it's got a mellow, moody approach that's filled with the darker tones that first caught our ears on Chris' earliest recordings for Bethlehem. Instrumentation here is mostly small combo – arranged by Stan Free, and featuring Free on piano, Bobby Jaspar on flute, Mundell Lowe on guitar, George Duvivier on bass, and Ed Shaughnessy on drums. Titles include "Be A Clown", "Be My All", "Good For Nothin", "Moonlight In Vermont", "The Night We Called It A Day", "Lover Man", and "On The First Warm Day". LP, Vinyl record album
(Black label pressing with deep groove. Cover has clear tape on the bottom seam, light wear along the opening. The back cover has light surface wear, 2 spots of marker. Label has sticker remnant.)

Possible matches43
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✨✧ Chris ConnorChris In Person ... LP
Atlantic, 1959. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
A nice little live set from Chris – recorded at the Village Vanguard with a group that includes Kenny Burrell on guitar, Eddie De Haas on bass, Bill Rubenstein on piano, and Lex Humphries on drums. The setting of the album is similar to some of Chris' work at Bethlehem – very small combo and jazzy, save for the fact that there's a bit more "room" in the recording than on the very close-miked Bethlehem sessions. The approach is a great one to open up another new side of Connor's talents – and the album has a bit tighter feel than Chris' other live album from the same period. Titles include "Round Midnight", "All About Ronnie", "Fine & Dandy", "Misty", "Senor Blues", and "Angel Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

Possible matches44
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Chris ConnorChris In Person (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD
Atlantic (Japan), 1959. Used ... Out Of Stock
A nice little live set from Chris – recorded at the Village Vanguard with a group that includes Kenny Burrell on guitar, Eddie De Haas on bass, Bill Rubenstein on piano, and Lex Humphries on drums. The setting of the album is similar to some of Chris' work at Bethlehem – very small combo and jazzy, save for the fact that there's a bit more "room" in the recording than on the very close-miked Bethlehem sessions. The approach is a great one to open up another new side of Connor's talents – and the album has a bit tighter feel than Chris' other live album from the same period. Titles include "Round Midnight", "All About Ronnie", "Fine & Dandy", "Misty", "Senor Blues", and "Angel Eyes". CD

Possible matches45
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorWitchcraft ... LP
Atlantic, 1959. Very Good ... $4.99
A lovely side by Chris Connor for Atlantic, recorded not too long after her stint at Bethlehem – where she'd perfected an icy cool style of singing that's still to be matched to this day! The album features larger arrangements by Richard Wess – but still has a light jazzy feel, intimate in approach, despite the larger musical backings. Chris' voice is at once personal and removed – a razor's edge of emotion, repressing some impulses, and opening up surprisingly at other moments. Titles include "Skyscraper Blues", "The Lady Sings The Blues", "Come Rain Or Come Shine", "When Sunny Gets Blue", "Just In Time", "Baltimore Oriole", and "How Little We Know". LP, Vinyl record album
(Early 60s blue & green label stereo pressing with deep groove. Cover has light wear and aging, mostly in back.)
Also available Witchcraft (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD 18.99

Possible matches46
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chris ConnorWitchcraft (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD
Atlantic (Japan), 1959. Used ... $18.99
A lovely side by Chris Connor for Atlantic, recorded not too long after her stint at Bethlehem – where she'd perfected an icy cool style of singing that's still to be matched to this day! The album features larger arrangements by Richard Wess – but still has a light jazzy feel, intimate in approach, despite the larger musical backings. Chris' voice is at once personal and removed – a razor's edge of emotion, repressing some impulses, and opening up surprisingly at other moments. Titles include "Skyscraper Blues", "The Lady Sings The Blues", "Come Rain Or Come Shine", "When Sunny Gets Blue", "Just In Time", "Baltimore Oriole", and "How Little We Know". CD
(Out of print – and includes obi!)
Also available Witchcraft ... LP 4.99

Possible matches47
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✨✧ Jane Fielding with The Kenny Drew QuintetEmbers Glow ... LP
Jazz West, 1956. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Quite a rare vocal jazz session – recorded for the short lived Jazz West label, which was one of the hippest LA imprints of the 50s! Jane Fielding's a pretty decent singer – with kind of a Chris Connor-ish style about her – but the real charm is from Kenny Drew's work as a pianist and arranger, both of which push the session past the usual sleepiness of a Bethlehem or Mode vocal jazz album from the time. Kenny's group features Joe Maini on alto, Ted Efantis on tenor, Lawrence Marable on drums, and either Leroy Vinnegar or Paul Chambers on bass. Titles include "Embers Glow", "Our Waltz", "Right Boy For Me", "Key Largo", "Make The Man Love Me", and "Round Midnight". LP, Vinyl record album
(Great Japanese pressing – with obi! TOJJ 5815)

Possible matches48
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✨✧ Johnny HolidayHoliday For Lovers ... CD
Mode/VSOP, 1957. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the rarest records on the Mode label, and one of the few we've ever seen from this obscure west coast vocalist! The record features Johnny singing with some great LA jazz backing – an octet that features Herb Geller, Marty Paich, Jack Sheldon, Ronnie Lang, Mel Lewis, and Bob Enevoldsen. In fact, the group's so great that Johnny's vocals sometimes have trouble keeping up with the perfection – but that's also part of the charm of the set, which feels like some of the more obscure vocal material recorded for Bethlehem at the same time: nice and honest, with the kind of intimate club feel you'd get from some local vocal hero in a small city nightclub. Titles include "Nobody Else But me", "I Love You", "Love Me Now", "Boys & Girls Like You & Me", and "Star Eyes". CD

Possible matches49
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✨✧ Bev KellyLove Locked Out ... CD
Riverside/OJC, 1959. Used ... Out Of Stock
The first Riverside album by Bev Kelly – an obscure ice-blond singer from the late 50s, with a sound that's much more in keeping with some of the vocalists on the Bethlehem label, than the few singers who cut sides for Riverside. Bev's got the great fortune to be working here with Jimmy Jones, who's done some great work for Sarah Vaughn over the years – and the small group backing on the album includes strong players like Kenny Burrell, Jerome Richardson, Milt Hinton, Roy Haynes, and Jones himself. Titles include "My Ship", "Lonelyville", "Lost April", "Love Look Away", "Thursday's Child", "Love Locked Out", and "Gloomy Sunday". A nice sad one – in case you couldn't guess by the titles! CD
(1992 OJC pressing.)

Possible matches50
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✨✧ Peggy LeeBlack Coffee ... CD
Decca/Verve, 1953/1956. Used ... Out Of Stock
A pivotal album in the career of Peggy Lee, and one that marked her turning from a singer of pop and swing material, to a sensitive interpreter of jazz material. The album's one of the best-ever by Peggy, and features the kind of material that's not easy to find amidst the bulk of her pop-oriented work – a moving set of ballads and torchy numbers, recorded in small-combo fashion, in a style that's similar to some of Chris Connor's later Bethlehem work. The combo includes Cootie Chesterfield on trumpet, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Max Wayne on bass, and Ed Shaughnessy on drums. A real treasure – with titles like "A Woman Alone With The Blues", "Love Me Or Leave Me", "Easy Living", and "Black Coffee". This reissue features all 12 tracks from the full-length LP. CD
(2004 Verve Master Edition – in a three panel digipack.)
Also available Black Coffee With Peggy Lee ... LP 29.99

Possible matches51
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✨✧ Peggy LeeBlack Coffee And Other Delights – Decca Anthology (2CD set) ... CD
Decca, Mid 50s. Used 2 CDs ... Out Of Stock
Brilliant work by Peggy Lee – very different than most of her later more pop-oriented recordings! Peggy signed to Decca as a solo act right after working with bigger bands in the 40s, and her recordings for the label are wonderful – featuring many ballads and torchy numbers, recorded in small-combo fashion, in a style that's similar to some of Chris Connor's later Bethlehem work, plus some larger arrangements that push her even further, and which move into a wealth of interesting styles that show her to be an incredibly talented vocalist. The package features a total of 46 tracks in all – and tracks include "Black Coffee", "Lover", "You Go To My Head", "Let Me Go Lover", "Joey Joey Joey", "My Old Flame", "Street Of Dreams", "Where Flamingos Fly", "Johnny Guitar", "Sisters", "Bouquet Of Blues", "Love Letters", and "Sans Souci". CD
(Out of print.)

Possible matches52
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Peggy LeeBlack Coffee With Peggy Lee ... LP
Decca, 1953. Near Mint- ... $29.99
Wonderfully spare early jazz sides by Peggy, and the kind of material that's not easy to find amidst the bulk of her pop-oriented work. The album's a moving set of ballads and torchy numbers, recorded in small-combo fashion, in a style that's similar to some of Chris Connor's later Bethlehem work. The combo includes Cootie Chesterfield on trumpet, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Max Wayne on bass, and Ed Shaughnessy on drums. A real treasure – with titles like "A Woman Alone With The Blues", "Love Me Or Leave Me", "Easy Living", and "Black Coffee". LP, Vinyl record album
(60s color bar label pressing – in great shape!)

Possible matches53
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✨✧ Helen MerrillNearness Of You ... LP
EmArcy, 1957. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Icy brilliance from a young Helen Merrill – a record that's easily the Mercury equivalent of June Christy's classic work on Capitol or Chris Connor's classics for Bethlehem! Helen's working here with small combo backings on all tracks – carved out with players who include Bobby Jaspar, Bill Evans, Oscar Pettiford, and George Russell – all swinging gently alongside the vocals, but also taking care to shade things in with some of the darker, bluer colors that always worked best for Merrill – and which made her voice echo with a depth that few other singers could match! Titles include "When The Sun Comes Out", "I Remember You", "Summertime", "Let Me Love You", and "All Of You". LP, Vinyl record album

Possible matches54
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✨✧ Helen MerrillNearness Of You/You've Got A Date With The Blues ... CD
Lonehill, 1957/1958/1959. Used ... Out Of Stock
Icy brilliance from a young Helen Merrill – The Nearness Of You – a record that's easily the Mercury equivalent of June Christy's classic work on Capitol or Chris Connor's classics for Bethlehem! Helen's working here with small combo backings on all tracks – carved out with players who include Bobby Jaspar, Bill Evans, Oscar Pettiford, and George Russell – all swinging gently alongside the vocals, but also taking care to shade things in with some of the darker, bluer colors that always worked best for Merrill – and which made her voice echo with a depth that few other singers could match! Titles include "When The Sun Comes Out", "I Remember You", "Summertime", "Let Me Love You", and "All Of You". You've Got A Date With The Blues – maybe our favorite album ever from Merrill – certainly from the early days – and a unique outing cut for MGM's excellent Metrojazz label! The set's got a more laidback sound than Merrill's previous records – and a definite bluesy undercurrent too – one that comes through strongly in the piano and arrangements of Jimmy Jones, and in the tremendous tenor work from Frank Wess – whose playing on the record gives the set a soulful quality we're not used to hearing with Helen! Tunes all follow the theme of the title – but are done in really inventive ways, especially when Wess gets a chance to solo – and titles include "Blues In My Heart", "The Blues", "The Thrill Is Gone", "You've Got A Date With The Blues", "The Meaning Of The Blues", and "Vous M'Ebloussez". CD

Possible matches55
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✨✧ Nina SimoneGreat Women Of Song – Nina Simone ... LP
Philips/Verve, Mid 60s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A collection of classic material from the Philips Records years of Nina Simone – a key 60s moment when she was moving way past her roots as a jazz singer, to embrace all sorts of righteous new styles – and set a tone for singers that's held strong for decades! The music here is bubbling over with a new sense of pride and power for the 60s – a style that certainly ruffled some feathers at the time, but which really came to be that which established the legacy of Nina Simone after earlier periods recording for the Bethlehem and Colpix labels. The choice of cuts is great – and titles include "Four Women", "See Line Woman", "Wild Is The Wind", "Take Care Of Business", "Tell Me More & More & Then Some", "Ne Me Quitte Pas", "Feeling Good", "I Put A Spell On You", and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" – plus live versions of "Mississippi Goddam" and "I Loves You Porgy". LP, Vinyl record album

Possible matches56
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✨✧ Frank SinatraChristmas Songs By Sinatra ... CD
Columbia, Late 40s. Used ... Out Of Stock
Frank Sinatra's first run of Christmas work – material recorded for Columbia Records in the late 40s, but quite similar to his better-known Holiday sides for Capitol in the 50s! As with that work, the style here is quite respectful of the spirit of the season – more reverent than playful, although always with an undercurrent of sadness that makes the tunes especially nice – that Christmas longing that would show up in the best Holiday records, which Sinatra always seemed to get. Heck, even the version of "Jingle Bells" sounds a bit melancholy – and pretty darn nice, too – next to tunes that include "Christmas Dreaming", "Winter Wonderland", "Let It Snow", "Santa Claus Is Comin To Town", and "White Christmas" – plus a medley of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem/Joy To The World/White Christmas", which begins with a cool spoken introduction. (Holiday Music, Vocalists) CD

Possible matches57
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✨✧ Frank SinatraChristmas Songs By Sinatra ... CD
Columbia, Late 40s. Used ... Out Of Stock
Frank Sinatra's first run of Christmas work – material recorded for Columbia Records in the late 40s, but quite similar to his better-known Holiday sides for Capitol in the 50s! As with that work, the style here is quite respectful of the spirit of the season – more reverent than playful, although always with an undercurrent of sadness that makes the tunes especially nice – that Christmas longing that would show up in the best Holiday records, which Sinatra always seemed to get. Heck, even the version of "Jingle Bells" sounds a bit melancholy – and pretty darn nice, too – next to tunes that include "Christmas Dreaming", "Winter Wonderland", "Let It Snow", "Santa Claus Is Comin To Town", and "White Christmas" – plus a medley of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem/Joy To The World/White Christmas", which begins with a cool spoken introduction. (Holiday Music, Vocalists) CD

Possible matches58
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✨✧ Mel TormeMel Torme Swings Shubert Alley ... CD
Verve, 1960. Used ... Out Of Stock
Mel Torme takes on the sound of Broadway at the start of the 60s – but he does so in a very groovy way, thanks to hip backings from the amazing Marty Paich! The style here is as swinging and jazzy as the work that Mel and Marty cut together on the Bethlehem label in the late 50s – and the tracks have a nice sort of groove, and an overall lean feel – a sound that takes the music far from its Broadway roots! Players include Art Pepper on alto, Stu Williamson on trumpet, Bill Perkins on tenor, and Frank Rosolino on trombone – all bringing a nice sense of themselves to the set. Titles include "Lonely Town", "Whatever Lola Wants", "Old Devil Moon", "Hello Young Lovers", "Too Close For Comfort", and "Just In Time". CD

Possible matches59
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Mel TormeMel Torme Swings Shubert Alley ... LP
Verve, 1960. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Mel Torme takes on the sound of Broadway at the start of the 60s – but he does so in a very groovy way, thanks to hip backings from the amazing Marty Paich! The style here is as swinging and jazzy as the work that Mel and Marty cut together on the Bethlehem label in the late 50s – and the tracks have a nice sort of groove, and an overall lean feel – a sound that takes the music far from its Broadway roots! Players include Art Pepper on alto, Stu Williamson on trumpet, Bill Perkins on tenor, and Frank Rosolino on trombone – all bringing a nice sense of themselves to the set. Titles include "Lonely Town", "Whatever Lola Wants", "Old Devil Moon", "Hello Young Lovers", "Too Close For Comfort", and "Just In Time". LP, Vinyl record album
(Early 80s Japanese Polygram pressing – UMV 2521 – with obi and insert.)

Possible matches60
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✨✧ Mel TormePrelude To A Kiss ... CD
Tops/Fresh Sound (Spain), 1957. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the best-ever Mel Torme jazz vocal albums – right up there with his best Bethlehem recordings! The set was recorded with Marty Paich's Dek-tette, who set the tone perfectly for the warmly perfect style of The Velvet Fog – and who, like Mel, manage to be totally polished, yet also still swing with a fair bit of emotion. The result is a swinging batch of standards that lets Mel shine at his best – including titles like "I've Got The World On A String", "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You", "Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea", and "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart". CD

Possible matches61
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✨✧ Mel TormeRecorded At The Crescendo December 15, 1954 ... LP
Coral, 1954. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Great live work from Mel Torme – a 14 track set that's done with spare backings from the Al Pellegrini Trio – possibly the most stripped-down Torme recording from these early years, delivered with an intimacy that's quite different than some of Mel's work on Bethlehem! Pellegrini plays mostly piano, but also a bit of clarinet too – given that Torme also handles a bit of piano – and the backings are always somewhat light, so that Mel's voice really dominates the proceedings. Titles include "County Fair", "Goody Goody", "You're Driving Me Crazy", "Jeepers Creepers", "Get Happy", "Get Out Of Town", and "From This Moment On". LP, Vinyl record album

Possible matches62
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✨✧ Mel TormeSongs Of New York ... CD
Atlantic, Early 60s. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of Mel's best non-Bethlehem albums, and a record that's as much a loving tribute to New York as any you'll ever buy! Kind of funny, too, because in Mel's California Suite, there's all this stuff about how lousy New York is – but by the time of this early 60s recording, Mel's clearly repented, and he's doing a wonderful job with material like "Let Me Off Uptown", "Autumn In New York", "New York, New York", "Manhattan", and one of the greatest versions of "Sunday In New York" you'll ever hear! Great arrangements, too – with a nice touch of jazz! CD
(1983 pressing.)

Possible matches63
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Mel TormeSunday In New York & Other Songs About New York ... LP
Atlantic, 1963. Very Good ... $9.99
One of our favorite-ever albums from Mel Torme – a set that sparkles with the same smooth swing as his best late 50s dates for Bethlehem records! Like those sets, this one features Torme's voice really taking off over some tight jazzy charts – arranged by Johnny Williams, Shorty Rogers, and Dick Hazard – all in styles close to those used previously by Marty Paich. But almost even better is the New York theme of the record – surprising, given the anti-NYC vibe of Torme's classic "California Suite" – but perfect, too, as it really ties the whole thing together wonderfully – creating this beautiful picture of the Big Apple in the postwar years. Titles include the greatest version of "Sunday In New York" you'll ever hear – plus "Let Me Off Uptown", "Autumn In New York", "New York New York", "Manhattan", and "My Time Of Day". LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono red & purple label pressing.)

Possible matches64
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Mel TormeTorme ... LP
Verve, 1958. Near Mint- ... $9.99 14.99
An overlooked gem from Mel Torme – a great early album for Verve, one that's every bit as nice as his stellar work for the Bethlehem label! The set's got Mel singing with the Marty Paich orchestra – a good thing, too – as Marty's always been the best arranger for Mel's unique way of putting over a jazz vocal. Tunes are all pretty nicely swinging, and at times expand the sound a bit past Mel's earlier work – with titles that include "House Is Haunted By The Echo Of Your Last Goodbye", "Gloomy Sunday", "That Old Feeling", "I'm Gonna Laugh You Out Of My Life", "Nobody's Heart", "How Did She Look", and "Where Can I Go Without You". LP, Vinyl record album
(French reissue. Cover has faint ring wear.)

Possible matches65
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✨✧ Mel TormeTouch Of Your Lips (aka Prelude To A Kiss) ... LP
Venise, 1957. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
One of the best-ever Mel Torme jazz vocal albums – right up there with his best Bethlehem recordings! The set was recorded with Marty Paich's Dek-tette, who set the tone perfectly for the warmly perfect style of The Velvet Fog – and who, like Mel, manage to be totally polished, yet also still swing with a fair bit of emotion. The result is a swinging batch of standards that lets Mel shine at his best – including titles like "I've Got The World On A String", "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You", "Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea", and "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart". LP, Vinyl record album
 
 
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