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Chris Connor: Warm Cool: The Atlantic Years

By John Sharpe
May 1, 1999
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Vocalist Chris Connor first achieved national prominence during a ten-month stint with band leader Stan Kenton in 1952. Between 1956 and 1963, Connor recorded 12 fabulous albums for Atlantic Records and this 40-track, 2-CD set, provides a comprehensive overview of her output with the label. The repertoire features some of the best tunes from the classic American songbook and each showcases Connor's cool, limpid tone and vibratoless delivery. She is accompanied by some of the greatest names in jazz. Al Cohn (tenor), Maynard Ferguson (trumpet), Phil Woods (alto), Clark Terry (trumpet), and Kenny Burrell (guitar) are just some of the giants who appear throughout. The instrumental settings range from conductor Ralph Burns's large string orchestra, to the quiet intimacy of a standard jazz trio. This attractively packaged set includes a finely detailed booklet, packed with useful information on Connor's career and each track of this compilation. An essential purchase for fans of the "cool school." (*****)

Track Listing

Strike Up the Band; Good Morning Heartache; But Not for Me; All the Things You Are; When the Wind Was Green; Poor Little Rich Girl; Lonely Woman; I Miss You So; I Am Gonna Go Fishin'.

Personnel

Chris Connor

vocals

Chris Connor- vocals; Bobby Jaspar, Sam Most- flute; Marshall Royal- alto saxophone; Al Cohn, Lucky Thompson- tenor saxophone; Charlie Fowlkes- baritone saxophone; Steve Perlow, Stan Webb, Jerry Sanfino, Morton Lewis, Phil Woods, Seldon Powell, Oliver Nelson, Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden, Frank Hittner, Sol Schlinger, Eddie Wasserman, Phil Bodner, Lanny Morgan- reeds; Maynard Ferguson, Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson, Chet Ferretti, Rick Keifer, Ernie Royal, Snooky Young, Sweets Edison, Irvin Markowitz, Don Byrd, Joe Newman, Joe Wilder- trumpet; Clark Terry- trumpet, flugelhorn; Al Grey, Frank Rehak, Wayne Andre, Willie Dennis, Dick Hixon, Eddie Bert, Ray Winslow, Kenny Rupp, Jimmy Cleveland, Jim Thompson, Warren Covington- trombone; Freddie Greene, Barry Galbraith, Joe Puma, Kenny Burrell- guitar; Ralph Sharon, Stan Free, Jaki Byard, Jimmy Jones, Ronnie Ball, Hank Jones- piano; Milt Hinton, George Duvivier, Wendell Marshall, Eddie Jones, Don Payne, Charlie Sanders, Ben Tucker, Oscar Pettiford- bass; Ed Shaughnessy, Dave Bailey, Rufus Jones, Teddy Sommer, Sonny Payne, Billy Exiner, Osie Johnson- drums; Eddie Costa- vibes; Johnny Rodriguez, Chano Pozo- bongos; Mongo Santamaria- congas; Eugene Orloff, Sylvan Shulman, Harry Melnikoff, Sam Rand, Harry Katzman, Harry Urbont, Ray Free, George Ockner, Mac Ceppos, Tosha Samaroff, Leo Kruczek, Harry Lookofsky- violin; Isadore Zir, Dave Mankowitz- viola; Dave Soyer, Maurice Brown- cello; full orchestra conducted by Ralph Burns.

Album information

Title: Warm Cool: The Atlantic Years | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: 32 Records

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