How shall we start off? With some thrilling Carrie Smith, that's how. She's the jazz diva and Broadway star who absolutely kills it in this 1977 LP, bringing her smashing bluesy oomph to tunes like "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean." By the way, I love that even upon her death, no one was able to pin down her exact age. Because she wanted it that way. A true lady never tells.
We all know Tony Bennett's age, right? He's up there at ninety-three and his voice is different-sounding from his youth (because duh!). Yet he's a classic case of an older singer who's carefully modulated his vocal style to suit his altered range. And with fantastic results, thankyouverymuch. You can't sing like a twenty-year-old forever, of course, and you shouldn't even try. Some people should take note.
Speaking of all things Tony Bennett, let's talk Vegas, baby, and a truly terrif 2002 Vegas compilation from the old Ultra-Lounge label, with tunes from all your favorites, like Bennett, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Count Basie and more. I simply j'adore this Ultra-Lounge mix and many others, of course. What was so great about Ultra-Lounge, you ask? It wasn't just their song selections, though they were always on point, but the restoration work they did on the tracks. Some of these tunes have never sounded better!
Meanwhile, you asked for more of the smooth and silky Teri and more you shall have.
Her 1999 LP "I'll Be Easy To Find" was her last. She died one year later of cancer, just as she was resurrecting her career. And while that's tragic in one sense - her vocals were newly matured, harmonically complex; this was a singer in her prime - the LP is an enduring testament to her power as a jazz performer.
For instance, you may think of "It Ain't Necessarily So" as a signature Sammy Davis, Jr. tune, but after hearing Teri's version, let's just says that Sammy really ought share it. The track right after it, "The Lord's Prayer" is my favorite. Just listen to how she bends and streeeeeeeeeetches the notes and words. To call this track "a wow" is, I think, a gargantuan understatement. But then again, they're all likely to knock you flat. She's that good, I promise.
And now for (another) mystery jazz lady on The Cheerful, Miss Carole Creveling. I couldn't even find a picture of her besides her sole LP cover, so in lieu of that...because she obviously "vanted to be alone."
Her only LP, 1955's "Here Comes Carole Creveling, Vol. 1" - a Cool-Carole Cheerful Exclusive! - was once a highly sought-after rarity, but only because so few vinyl copies existed before it was reissued on CD. Carole was only eighteen when her parents financed this LP with top-flight session musicians at the behest of a couple who owned a Laguna Beach record store and loved her voice. Yet she's more than just a jazz oddity or footnote.
Her record received a glowing notice from no less than Down Beat magazine and given her feathery, mellifluous voice, she might have had a fine career. But she opted for marriage and children instead. In 2007, a blogger tracked her down and she'd no idea that she'd become an underground jazz legend. There was never a "Here Comes Carole Creveling, Vol. 2," unfortunately, but this existing LP is a breezy treasure.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you please, because we really must, more Diahann:
I still refuse to believe in a world without Diahann, and so I've been playing her records constantly, including her glorious 1960 live LP "The Persian Room Presents Diahann Carroll" where she kicks it off with a sizzling "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and does not let up. Always classy, always beautiful, with a gorgeously sharp, yet honeyed, voice to match, this is young Diahann at her best.
The Secret Song File remembers the 1980s like it was yesterday, a time which was sometimes disturbing and sometimes not. But who would expect to receive brand-new music from the 80s that's not only really phat, as the kids said back then, but terrific, too.
That's right, this is an LP from the 80s that was never publicly heard or released - until 2019. If you remember Johnny and ever wondered if he was queer (*cough*hint*) then you'll have an idea of what you're in for from this bangin' art-rock diva. So tease those locks, gurl, the 80s is now.
But, please, no high-waisted jeans. Those never worked and never will!
Tip-toe about in your Jelly Shoes in the comments, if you like!
