Fred, Bird, Carmen, Nat, Abbey, New Bu & More

Oh, do we have a show for you. I was reading Will Friedwald's great book, The Great Jazz & Pop Vocal Albums, and discovered a Fred Astaire recording on Verve. We checked it out and spent a couple of very pleasant hours with Fred talking and singing in company of esteemed jazz artists. Our first segment includes a track, as well as other Astaire-associated tunes. Speaking of vocals, it's the Carmen McRae centennial, so we do a compare and contrast with Nat King Cole-associated tunes that she recorded. Then, there's the new Jazz Messengers release from 1959, initially 'rejected' and forgotten. It's prime stuff! Finally, we celebrate Abbey Lincoln's 90th birthday (having run out of time last week). Enjoy the show!

Playlist

• Randy Sandke "I Concentrate On You" from Cliffhanger (Nagel-Heyer) 00:00
• Bill O'Connell "Puttin on the Ritz" from Jazz Latin (Savant) 06:23
• Steve Nelson "Lady Be Good" from Easy Living (Venus) 12:27
• Fred Astaire "Lady Be Good" from The Astaire Story (Verve) 19:55
• Bill Frisell "Hackensack" from Lookout for Hope (ECM) 25:03
• Carmen McRae "Just You, Just Me" from You're Lookin' at Me (Concord) 29:15
• Nat Cole "Just You, Just Me" from After Midnight (Capitol) 33:54
• Carmen McRae "Beautiful Moons Ago" from You're Lookin' at Me (Concord) 37:10
• Nat Cole "Beautiful Moons Ago" from Hittin' the Ramp (Resonance) 40:12
• Carmen McRae "Sweet Lorraine" from You're Lookin' at Me (Concord) 42:32
• Nat Cole "Sweet Lorraine" from Hittin' the Ramp (Resonance) 46:02
• Cannonball Adderley "Why Am I Treated So Bad?" from Why Am I Treated So Bad? (Capitol) 49:11
• Charlie Parker "Klactoveedsedstene" from Complete Dial Modern Jazz Sessions (Mosaic) 58:10
• Charlie Parker "Charlie's Wig" from Complete Dial Modern Jazz Sessions (Mosaic) 1:02:07
• Art Blakey "Hipsippy Blues" from Just Coolin' (Blue Note) 1:05:02
• Art Blakey "Close Your Eyes" from Just Coolin' (Blue Note) 1:12:09
• Art Blakey "Just Coolin'" from Just Coolin' (Blue Note) 1:18:34
• Bennie Wallace "Thangs" from The Talk of the Town (Enja) 1:27:25
• Abbey Lincoln "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe" from That's Him (Riverside) 1:32:19
• Abbey Lincoln "Tender as a Rose" from That's Him (Riverside) 1:38:58
• Abbey Lincoln "I Must Have That Man" from That's Him (Riverside) 1:42:07
• Joe Lovano "Lover Man" from Bird Songs (Blue Note) 1:46:05