Quick, which jazz luminary also worked as a featured actress in "The Godfather" and "The Godfather II?" There's only one.
If you guessed Morgana King, you're right! She played Carmela Corleone, the wife of Don Vito Corleone, or Marlon Brando, in both movies. Interesting side notes: the character's first name is never mentioned in either movie, and because she's played by Morgana, she gets to sing "Luna Mezz'o Mare" during the wedding reception scene.
Additional interesting note: Carmela's a devout Catholic who repeatedly begs God to stop her husband from "going down there" during sexy-times. In other words, there'll be no Box Lunch At The Y, as the kids used to say, for our dear Carmela.
But back to Morgana. The scrappy daughter of Sicilian immigrants, she was discovered in her early-twenties performing at a Greenwich Village club in 1953, and from there, rarely stopped working. Why? Because of her heart-stopping sense of rhythm and her soaring, four-octave contralto range, both of which she used to create "tapestries of sound that float in the air," according to The New York Times. Her 1966 LP "Wild Is Love" is a lush swing set with a full orchestra and Morgana at her best. You won't be disappointed, I promise.
In 1958, body order - or that most repellant funkacide - was apparently an urgent issue for every proper lady about town.
It was also a time for "The Queen Of The Red-Hot Mamas," or Mary Lou Brewer, at least according to the back cover of her only LP, 1958's "My Man." And yes, it's a Bawdy Brewer Cheerful Exclusive! just for you.
When I first listened to this slinky-dink, come-hither album - Mary's vocals are practically winking at you - I was compelled to ask, "Who was Mary? And why didn't she record more?" After all, she vanished after this LP and a handful of club, radio and TV appearances. Regardless, her LP is a keeper, and her hot-cha! versions of "How Come You Do Me Like You Do?" and "Mama Goes Where Papa Goes" ought to get any party going.
Can you ever have too much Judy?
I honestly don't know. It's a question I've never asked myself. And I likely never will (much to the dismay of my Cuban Luvuh, who thinks I'm a Judy-addict) (to put it kindly). All I can tell you is that this collection of Judy songs - a Just Judy Cheerful Exclusive! - is a mesmerizing-must for everyone, even if you're not familiar with her or think you've heard it all. You haven't. Her take on "Blue Prelude," for example, is flat-out definitive, but that's just the tip of the iceberg here. And, yes, I know, there's scores of Judy compilations out there, most of them poorly slopped together, but this one is tops, I tell you, tops. You won't be sorry.
And, no, this is not a money-grab, but a skillfully restored, classic rock LP with scads and scads of extras. Wheeeeee! The Purple One may have left us, but with his seemingly inexhaustible treasure trove of unreleased tracks, I think it's safe to say we'll be hearing from him well in the 21st century. Thank goodness.
Speaking of thanks, are you still full from Turkey Day? I can barely walk.
Pop a squat and drop a cranberry or two in the comments, if you like!
