Vocalists — Recently Added LPs, CDs, Vinyl Record Albums -- Dusty Groove is Chicago's Online Record Store
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Vocalists — Recently Added

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


Capitol, Late 60s. Very Good+
The shrill goofy vocalist lays down a second album of groovy camp tunes that'll make your dog cover his ears! There's a few lame tracks on here, but there's also some great ones, like her versions of "Girl From Ipanema" and "Monday, Monday". Mod arrangements by Fred Bock and ... LP, Vinyl record album
Commentary, 1957. Very Good+
Fantastic stuff – and a key example of the penetration of psychoanalysis in the US during the postwar years! The tunes here are all vocal parodies of familiar themes from Freud – sung by Katie Lee in a way that's a bit jazz, but possibly a bit folksy too – very playful at times, ... LP, Vinyl record album
Capitol, Mid 60s. Near Mint-
Who can ever figure this chick out? Mrs Miller was a strange denizen of the bottom level of the music industry food chain – and her stock-in-trade was performing 60s pop tunes with a shrill fuddy-duddy style that was instantly recognizable, and forever annoying! This record is less of a ... LP, Vinyl record album

Oscar Brown Jr.

Between Heaven & Hell
Columbia, 1962. Very Good+
Great early work from Oscar Brown Jr – a hip mix of jazz and soul, working in Brown's unique sense of showmanship, and his almost beat-like flair with a lyric! Ralph Burns and Quincy Jones handled the arrangements – and the album's filled with great original tracks by Brown, including ... LP, Vinyl record album

Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood

Nancy & Lee
Reprise, Late 60s. Very Good-
One of the weirdest, wildest pop albums of the 60s – maybe the crowning achievement of both Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood – two artists who'd worked together before, but never with an intensity this great! The record is overflowing with all the great touches you'd expect from Lee ... LP, Vinyl record album

Oscar Brown Jr.

Tells It Like It Is
Columbia, 1963. Very Good+
A great early album by Oscar – one that focuses on his own compositions, and a few other hip tunes written by other jazz players, with new vocals added by Oscar! These kind of tracks are the stuff that made him a legend instantly – strongly voiced vocal tunes, handled with a flair that ... LP, Vinyl record album

Jackie & Roy

Sing Baby Sing
Storyville, Mid 50s. Near Mint-
Sublime work from the duo of Jackie & Roy – a guy/gal vocal team, but one with a sound that's unlike anyone else we can think of! Both Jackie Cain and Roy Kral sing – and Roy also plays a mean piano, and writes a fair bit of the tunes too – really lively numbers that show off ... LP, Vinyl record album
Flying Dutchman, 1969. Very Good+ Gatefold
Wonderful work from Leon Thomas – easily one of his greatest albums ever, and a set that was recorded at the same time he was working with Pharoah Sanders! Thomas really rose to fame on Sanders' classic "The Creator Has A Master Plan" – and this set really takes off from that ... LP, Vinyl record album

Julie London

Make Love to Me
Liberty, 1957. Very Good-
Hard to imagine that Julie London would ever have to ask anyone to make love to her – at least not when she looks as sexy as this on the cover! The album's a key early classic for Liberty – still very fragile, personal, and up-close enough to make you think you might just be able to ... LP, Vinyl record album

Nancy Ames

Spiced With Brasil
Epic, Mid 60s. Very Good+
Bossa with a great American twist! Nancy Ames was an American pop singer of the 60s – one who did mostly folksy tunes with a light California feel, and who here is coming up with some great bossa nova numbers, set to arrangements by Stu Phillips! The package has all the sunniness of a ... LP, Vinyl record album

Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan

At Newport '63
RCA, 1963. Near Mint-
The Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross tradition lives on – in a smoking live set that features Indian singer Yolanda Bavan joining the group in place of recently-departed Ross! Bavan's ability to groove and improvise is every bit as great as that of Annie Ross – and she fits in nicely ... LP, Vinyl record album

Eddie Jefferson

Body & Soul
Prestige, 1968. Very Good+
Seminal work from one of the hippest jazz singers ever – a session that showed the world that Eddie Jefferson was firmly back in business during the 60s! The set's got a really rollicking feel, and a bit more influence from soul than the bop of Eddie's roots – with elements of gospel ... LP, Vinyl record album

King Pleasure/Annie Ross

King Pleasure Sings/Annie Ross Sings
Prestige, Early 50s. Near Mint-
LP...$9.99 11.99
A record that revolutionized the concept of jazz vocals in the 50s – thanks to famous performances by Annie Ross and King Pleasure! The tracks on the LP include Ross' early interpretations of Wardell Gray's classics "Twisted" and "Farmer's Market", and the King Pleasure ... LP, Vinyl record album

Billie Holiday

Lady Sings the Blues
Verve, 1956. Near Mint-
Possibly one of the most essential Billie Holiday albums for Verve – a set that carries the same title as her famous autobiography, and which also features many key numbers from her songbook at the time! The feel here is quite easygoing and relaxed – with small group backing behind ... LP, Vinyl record album
Whippet, 1957. Very Good-
Obscure swinging male/femal vocal group that both plays and sings, in the style of the Pat Moran group or other jazz vocal groups from the time. As far as we know, this is their only LP, and it's a hip batch of tracks like "Julie Is Her Name", "Bernies Tune", "Free ... LP, Vinyl record album
Roulette, Early 60s. Very Good
An overlooked gem from jazz singer Etta Jones – an effort cut around the same time as her better-known records for Prestige, but one that's maybe done with an even hipper sound overall! Etta's nicely laidback, and hits that soulful, singing mood that makes her so great right from the start ... LP, Vinyl record album

Lorez Alexandria

Alexandria The Great
Impulse, 1964. Very Good+ Gatefold
A beautiful album from Lorez Alexanderia – one of her two excellent sessions for Impulse! The record was cut after Lorez recorded some great sides for the Argo label – and it works off the strength of those sides, taking her unique vocal approach, forged in R&B, but smoothed by ... LP, Vinyl record album

Joe Lee Wilson & Bond Street

Shout For Trane
Why Not/Trio (Japan), 1976. Near Mint-
Maybe the best Joe Lee Wilson album you can ever get! Joe Lee Wilson's got a spiritual jazz vocal style that's in the vein of Leon Thomas, but which often falls short of Thomas' greatness on other recordings – yet here, though, he's totally great – hitting a beautifully soulful vein ... LP, Vinyl record album

Dinah Washington

Dinah Jams
EmArcy, 1955. Very Good-
One of the best jazz-based sessions recorded by Dinah Washington in the 50s – appropriately titled Dinah Jams, which is a pretty good reference to the feeling of the set! The sessions were recorded in a relatively relaxed, intimate feel – not necessarily as unbridled as a true jam ... LP, Vinyl record album
Decca, Late 50s. Near Mint-
A rare Decca album lead by the smoky vocals of Beverly Kenney – a really unique late 50s/early 60s jazz girl who once worked for the Dorsey brothers, the Count Basie Orchestra and others, and only ever cut a handful of albums under her own name! Sings for Playboys is an intimate, sultry ... LP, Vinyl record album

Nina Simone

At The Village Gate
Colpix, 1961. Very Good
An album recorded relatively early in the career of singer Nina Simone – but a set that already shows the very unique approach that would make her a legend by the time the 60s moved on! Even the very first tune is a stunner – a haunting reworking of the favorite "Just In Time" ... LP, Vinyl record album
Columbia, Late 50s. Very Good+
Jimmy Rushing reprises a nice batch of blues classics from the 20s, all of which were sung by early recording artists like Bessie or Clara Smith. The group that backs him is a nice one, and features Buck Clayton on trumpet, Buster Bailey on clarinet, and Coleman Hawkins on tenor. As with many of ... LP, Vinyl record album

Mary Ann McCall

Melancholy Baby
Coral, 1959. Very Good
An oft-overlooked jazz vocal session by Mary Ann McCall, with superb arrangements by Johnny Richards, and a nice batch of tracks that have a surprisingly dark quality to them. Titles inlcude "Blue (and Broken Hearted)", "Lover Is Blue", "Melancholy Nights", "Am I ... LP, Vinyl record album

Dakota Staton

I've Been There
Capitol, Late 60s. Near Mint-
A cool album of tracks that has Dakota singing with a bit tighter arrangement than usual, in sort of a pop soul jazz bag, like some of the other Capitol singers at the time who were working with HB Barnum and David Axelrod. The album includes Dakota's groovy track "Young Generation" ... LP, Vinyl record album

Jackie & Roy

Wilder Alias
CTI, 1974. Near Mint- Gatefold
Jackie & Roy are definitely getting bit wilder here – hitting an electric early 70s CTI mode, and really growing a lot in the process! The session has the vocal pair working with CTI players who include Hubert Laws on flute, Joe Farrell on saxes, Roy Pennington on vibes, and Steve Gadd ... LP, Vinyl record album

Joe Williams

Joe Williams Live
Fantasy, 1973. Very Good+
One of the nice records made by Joe during his funky comeback of the late 60s/early 70s. He's singing here in a setting that's decidedly hipper than on earlier albums – with the early 70s Nat/Cannonball Adderley collective that includes George Duke on piano, Carol Kaye on bass, and ... LP, Vinyl record album

Nina Simone

Amazing Nina Simone
Colpix, 1959. Very Good+
Amazing is right – as Nina Simone is really taking off here – showing the world that she's way more than just another jazz singer – able to hit some righteous currents that would only explode even more in years to come! Nina's emotion is subtle, but extremely powerful – ... LP, Vinyl record album
Project 3, 1968. Very Good+ Gatefold
The fab second album by the Free Design – one that has them moving confidently into the realm of groovy pop – magically touching songs with their unique innocent harmony approach, and completely transforming them in the process! The set includes wonderful versions of groovy 60s pop ... LP, Vinyl record album

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

Sing A Song Of Basie (ABC pressing)
ABC, 1958. Very Good+
One of the first albums ever by this legendary jazz vocal group! LHR do the incredible – and create a set of vocal renditions of standards by the Basie band, putting jazzy lyrics in to replace the instrumental solos, but keeping the same vibe as the original tracks. The sound and approach ... LP, Vinyl record album

Billie Holiday

All Or Nothing At All
Verve, Mid 50s. Very Good+
Beautiful Billie from the last years of her life. The material was recorded in 1956 and 1957 in Hollywood, featuring Barney Kessel, Ben Wesbster, Harry Edison, and Jimmy Rowles – all grooving nicely in small group formation. The tracks have a wonderfully fragile quality – and although ... LP, Vinyl record album

Etta Jones

From The Heart
Prestige, 1962. Very Good
A beautiful album of heartfelt vocal tracks by a young Etta Jones – featuring arrangements by Oliver Nelson that rank among the best sort that he was penning for vocalists of this sort during the 60s. Etta's got a nice mix of material here, and although some of the tracks are a bit well-known ... LP, Vinyl record album
Columbia, Early 60s. Very Good+
A great batch of jazz and pop vocal tracks, and possibly the finest record that singer Teri Thornton ever cut in the 60s! The title track has Teri singing the theme to the show Route 66, and there's lots of other nice numbers like "This Is All I Ask", "The Day I Stop Loving You" ... LP, Vinyl record album

Billy Eckstine

Modern Sound Of Mr B
Mercury, 1964. Very Good
Well, we don't know if Mr B could ever be considered "modern", but this is a pretty groovy batch of 60s pop tunes – like "Mister Kicks", "People", "Wanted", "Wives & Lovers", and "A Beautiful Friendship" – all done to ... LP, Vinyl record album

Nina Simone

Emergency Ward!
RCA, 1972. Near Mint-
A great little album cut by Nina Simone during the time she was working with Weldon Irvine – a live album that really has the lady stretching out, and showing off all the cool, complicated grooves she brought to a concert setting! Weldon did the arrangements, and they've got a very righteous ... LP, Vinyl record album

Joe Lee Wilson

Secrets From The Sun
Inner City, 1978. Sealed
One of the hippest albums ever from singer Joe Lee Wilson – a righteous vocalist with a style we'd rank right up there with Leon Thomas or Andy Bey in the 70s! The album's got an easygoing vibe that's a nice change from some of Joe's other records – a quality that's never too forced, ... LP, Vinyl record album

Della Reese

Della Reese Live
ABC, 1966. Very Good+
One of Della Reese's greatest records – and a unique little session cut "live in the studio" before a very appreciative crowd! Bobby Bryant wrote out some very hip charts for the session, and they're made even better by organ work by Bill Doggett and piano lines by Gerald Wiggins ... LP, Vinyl record album
Decca, Mid 50s. Very Good+
Pretty darn cool stuff from one of the greatest jazz singers around! This one was Mark's first album, cut a long time ago when he was a wee lad – as you'll see by the photo on the cover. The arrangements are by Ralph Burns, and they're pretty darn hip – and although the style is more ... LP, Vinyl record album
Columbia, 1962. Very Good+
Includes the tracks "I'm Just Wild About Harry", "Doodle Dee Doo", "On the Sunny Side of the Street", and "Tom Dooley". LP, Vinyl record album

Nancy Wilson

Son Of A Preacher Man
Capitol, Late 60s. Very Good+
A wonderfully groovy album from Nancy Wilson – filled with hip jazzy touches and lots of bouncy soul – in that sweet blend that was a perfect fit for the style of late 60s Capitol Records! Nancy really steps out from some of her more staid modes here – swinging a groove with some ... LP, Vinyl record album

Mark Murphy

Playing The Field
Capitol, Early 60s. Very Good+
One of the best early albums by vocalist Mark Murphy – cut to arrangements by Bill Holman on side one, a set of big band numbers, and to smaller piano trio backing on side two, which features mellower stuff. Murphy's really developing his voice at this point, and is starting to get some of ... LP, Vinyl record album

Jimmy Rushing with Buck Clayton

Jazz Odyssey Of James Rushing Esq.
Columbia, Late 50s. Sealed
A classic from Jimmy Rushing – recorded at a time when he was really finding a new audience for his vocals! In a style that Columbia was using on a number of sides in the late 50s and early 60s, Jimmy and Buck do a bit of educatin' – and trace a progression of jazz styles from New ... LP, Vinyl record album

Singers Unlimited

A Capella 1
MPS, Early 1970s. Very Good+ Gatefold
Heavenly work by one of the greatest vocal jazz combos ever! The Singers Unlimited cut many mighty albums for MPS with arrangements by some of the label's best bandleaders – but this one features them all alone, with only their voices to hold them up, which they do wonderfully, thanks to ... LP, Vinyl record album

Bobby Darin

Love Swings
Atco, 1961. Very Good-
One of the greatest Bobby Darin albums ever! Gone are all the gimmicks of some of his teen records, and in their place is a solid, serious approach to jazz vocals that has Darin standing tall with the likes of Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Honest, this is one of our favorite vocal ... LP, Vinyl record album

Frank Sinatra

Swing Along With Me
Reprise, 1961. Very Good+
This was Sinatra's first swing record for Reprise and his third collaboration with Billy May who arranged and conducted this 1961 recording. It features some standards from the likes of Rodgers & Hart ("Have You Met Miss Jones?") and George & Ira Gershwin ("Love Walked ... LP, Vinyl record album

Eartha Kitt

Thursday's Child
RCA, 1956. Very Good+
Henri Rene and his orchestra accompany Eartha on this record named after her 1956 autobiography. There is an tiny excerpt from her book on the back cover but the songs don't seem to necessarily reflect her life story. It's a nice collection of some relatively tame tunes in that throaty Earth Kitt ... LP, Vinyl record album

Nina Simone

Nuff Said
RCA, 1968. Sealed
A great little album from Nina – mostly recorded live at the Westbury Music Fair, with a hip mix of jazz, soul, and folk that's stretched out in a slightly informal setting that always brings out the best of Nina's vocals. Titles include "The Backlash Blues", "Please Read ... LP, Vinyl record album

Teri Thornton

Devil May Care
Riverside, 1961. Very Good+
One of the best albums from singer Teri Thornton – a jazz vocalist who was really starting to come into her own at the beginning of the 60s, and shines here in a way that's different from some of her bigger label sets! Backings are by Norman Simmons – a pianist we love on his own, and ... LP, Vinyl record album

Joe Williams

Worth Waiting For
Blue Note, Late 60s. Very Good+
Joe Williams was really reviving his career as a vocalist at this point – working with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band on a few well-selling records, and on this smoother set with arrangements by Horace Ott. The overall feel is kind of in a swinging Grady Tate mode, with jazziness ... LP, Vinyl record album
Capitol, 1954. Near Mint-
From its booze-soaked title cut, to its haunting selection of lonely ballads like "Midnight Sun" and "Stranger Called The Blues", this is one of the most fantastic vocal jazz albums of all time – and a record that we'd recommend instantly to anyone! June Christy has an ... LP, Vinyl record album

Dinah Washington

Good Old Days
Mercury, 1960s. Near Mint-
This is an LP issue of some of her early recordings, originally released on 78. Songs include "Record Ban Blues", "What's The Matter With Baby", "I'm Crying", "Shuckin' And Jivin'", When The Sun Goes Down", "Set Me Free", "My ... LP, Vinyl record album
 
Updated April 27, 2024


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