Anita O'Day's cooler-than-cool vocals matched with Gene Krupa's hot rhythms. For me, that's heaven.
So imagine my delight upon finding this must-have Anita/Krupa compilation CD, a Cheerfully Awesome Anita Exclusive! for you and yours. Trust me, if you're feeling a bit down-in-the-dumpity-doos or harried by the holiday season, then Anita's and Krupa's swingin' Big Band sounds will lift you right up, I guarantee it.
Still hesitant? The song titles alone should let you know what you're in for, like "Pass The Bounce," "Stop! The Red Light's On," and "Coppin' A Play." It''ll make a fine accompaniment for any holiday party - especially if you need to kick it up a notch - or for blasting in your car (as I do frequently).
Meanwhile, lick those lips, Miss Millie!
And work it and...
Work it some more, and...
Just keep on keepin' on! An astounding R&B diva - with LP titles to match, like "Feelin' Bitchy," and "Get It Out'cha System" - Millie never shied away from bawdy hijinks, thank goodness, and her live performances have since become legendary.
This 1994 release, "Live and Uncensored" lives up to its yeowza title. Here is the diva in all her glory, with fantastically raunchy monologues interspersed between songs like "Didn't I Blow Your Mind," and the definitive version of "Do You Think I'm Sexy." This is a two-CD set, the second being her follow-up, "Live and Outrageous" (which isn't quite as good as the first, but even too much Millie isn't nearly enough). It's perfect for scaring away drab guests at any holiday party, and yes, for blasting in your car (as I frequently do) (with the windows down).
On the other end of the spectrum, and I mean that in a good way, is good-gal Jo Stafford, seen here arranging her lovely curls 'n' such (as good-gals are wont to do).
Jo, as you may know, exhibits remarkable vocal polish in all of her pop hits, while her diction is pinpoint-clear (without being fussy). Not for nothing was she one of the best-selling artists of the pre-rock-and-roll era.
Just as crucial, she was a smart cookie. How smart? Shortly after her retirement in the late-1950s, she sued Columbia Records for their accounting shenanigans. Wait, it gets better. As a result of a ruling in her favor, she won back all the rights to all of her Columbia recordings - setting the stage for The Purple One, who similarly succeeded in his battle against Warner Brothers. Never in your life did you think Jo Stafford and Prince had something in common, did you? But they did.
In this delightful release are Jo's "lost" radio recordings. which she made for the CBS' "Carnation Hour." The quality is fantastic given their age. And it's perfect for cocktails and more cocktails at any holiday party, and yes, for blasting in your car (as I frequently do) (with the windows down) (and a smile on my mug).
When I moved to New York City in 1981, the Grind House era was just winding down on 42nd Street. It was quite a sight to behold. The street was lined on both sides with crumbling, sticky-seated theatres playing porn and two-year-old Hollywood hits, plus prostitutes of every persuasion, and drug pushers who dealt in mescaline and quaaludes (don't you miss quaaludes? if anyone has the recipe, contact me!). It was difficult to breathe, too, because the air smelled like urine and vomit and cigarettes and old man farts (with just a soupcon of dirty socks).
In other words, it was the definition of seedy, and while I can't say I miss it, exactly, it sure was preferable to the tacky tourist hodgepodge it eventually became. Oddly, the streets still smell like urine (and vomit, cigarettes, old man farts...). Sometimes I wish I knew 42nd in the late 1960s and 70s, when a bunch of fly-by-night moviemakers released a slew of ultra-cheap exploitation films, with titles like "Salon Kitty," "Invasion of the Bee Girls" and "The Wild Scene."
Actually scratch that, because if you've seen any of these movies, they're almost painfully bad (and not "fun-bad," like you hope they'll be). These days, the best thing about them are the posters - and wouldn't you know, the music. No, really! In this truly fantastic compilation, you'll hear all the decidedly badass sounds of flicks like "Hot Blooded Woman," "Swinging City," "Mama A Go-Go" and more. Who knew that it would be the soundtracks, and not the movies themselves, that would stand the groovy test of time? Trust me, this CD does not disappoint.
Since it's the holiday season, record companies are rolling out massive gift boxes and compilations, in addition to Christmas LPs nobody wants. There's also that ubiquitous "Essentials" series, which are basically "Best Of" collections by varied pop artists, many of whom don't deserve a second glance. But one, according to The Secret Song File, is worth a listen, or so says her favorite promiscuous, man-eating bird who always says it right (so many hints in one sentence!).
Though she wasn't exactly a one-hit wonder, this artist fell by the wayside much too quickly, don't you think? Or maybe performing for Muammar Gadaffi wasn't such a good idea (oops?). At any rate, this is a nice collection of some of her more enduring songs - and endure they will (though probably not in Libya) (oops again?).
Here's wishing you and yours a wonderful (and oops-free) holiday season!
Pucker up in the comments! There's mistletoe!
