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Carmen McRae: Carmen Sings Monk
by John Sharpe
Carmen Sings Monk is just one of five new reissues in BMG’s First Editions series, released under the rejuvenated Bluebird Jazz label. Other titles in the series’ first offering include Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney (Fancy Meeting You Here), Coleman Hawkins (The Hawk in Hi-Fi), Charles Mingus (Tijuana Moods) and Gil Scott-Heron (Free Will). Each release features enhanced sound quality, detailed liner notes, archival photographs and in most cases, special bonus/unreleased tracks. Recorded in 1988, Carmen Sings Monk contains two ...
Continue ReadingCarmen McRae: Something Wonderful
by Mathew Bahl
The great Carmen McRae’s tenure at Columbia lasted only two years (1961-1962). Most of her work for the label involved collaborations with pianist Dave Brubeck (her Take Five and his Tonight Only and The Real Ambassadors ). In fact, she recorded only two LPs and a few singles that featured material not written by Brubeck. Her first album for the label, Lover Man and Other Billie Holiday Classics, was a Lady Day tribute with a sextet featuring Norman Simmons on ...
Continue ReadingCarmen McRae: Ballad Essentials
by John Sharpe
Carmen McRae has always been one of my favourite singers. Technically, she couldn’t match the vocal gymnastics of Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan, but her timing and delivery were impeccable. Ballad Essentials is a fine compilation drawn from four albums Carmen recorded for Concord in the 80s -- Fine And Mellow - Live At Birdland West, Heat Wave, Two For The Road and You're Lookin' At Me. Ballad singing was always Carmen’s strong suit -- her behind-the-beat phrasing, cynical outlook ...
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