Did you have an Auntie Mame as a child?
I didn't, though I surely could have used one. Couldn't we all have? What young'un wouldn't have wanted a larger-than-life diva introducing them to art and music and every inconceivable - or more to the point - forbidden joy to be had? And you just know she'd have introduced you to the likes of Jeri Jordan.
"Whooooo?" you ask. See? That's why we all need an Auntie Mame. Because she definitely would have played you "Easy Living," the only LP cut by Jeri Jorden (and yes, it's a Just Jeri Cheerful Exclusive!).
An Okie-native jazz-baby who hit the big time - or as close to it as she could get at various nightspots in Reno, Los Angeles and overseas - Jeri had a sharp, yet liquid, voice, one which could change on a dime from brassy to smooth-as-silk. Just as good, her song selection on "Easy Living" is nicely eclectic. Her take on "Pastel" by Red Callender, the noted bassist and songwriter, is like siping the very coolest Campari on ice.
Speaking of smooth, smooth with a spike of refreshing 'tude is probably the best way to describe Marlena Shaw, a somewhat unheralded diva who's conquered jazz, soul, disco and blues with equal aplomb.
In other words, she's ridden with the times, from The Apollo Theatre as a ten-year-old phenom, to the present, where she recently performed at a jazz festival in the Netherlands. Some divas never stop. But if you're this good, why should you? Her compilation is a stunning mix of 1960s and 70s-era funk, and - hold on! - it concludes with a floor-jamming disco version of "Touch Me In The Morning." Perfect for blasting on your porch or balcony while shaking your booty (or WAP) (which is what one must do During These Trying Times™).
Vegas is practically a ghost town these days, but no matter. I've always found it better in theory then reality. In other words, I want the Vegas of myth, of hard-boiled gamblers...
And big-time riches...
And hot-cha! lounge performers like Buddy Greco, Ann-Margaret and Sammy Davis, Jr. This 1996 "Jackpot" CD is the perfect collection of tunes to summon that Vegas, Baby, Vegas fantasy, made back when CD compilers knew how to arrange the perfect songs in the perfect order. No, really. This one's a keeper.
Speaking of Buddy Greco, have you seen the 1980's sitcom "It's a Living" (you can find all the episodes
here)? If you have, then you know "Sonny Mann," the comically boorish lounge singer played by Paul Kreppel (in a performance that used to annoy me, though now I find it oddly endearing).
Kreppel had to have been lampooning Buddy Greco, at least vocally, a singer who likely originated the phrases "Who loves ya', baby!" and "Ohhhh, yes!" and "The meatloaf's fantastic! We're open all night!"
And while I make fun of Buddy, his LP, "16 Most Requested Songs" - a Beat It Buddy Cheerful Exclusive! - is winningly primeval. This is how songs like "The Lady Is A Tramp" and "She Loves Me" were first performed, or so I imagine - and in fact, how they should always be performed, with unconscious glitz and boy-yo razzmatazz.
The Secret Song File seldom gets political - but, FFS, these days, amirite? The US Presidential election's less than 40 days away, and she's screaming to everyone within reach: "For the love of Plastic Jeebus! Vote blue in every race, main and down-ticket! Or we'll all gonna die!"
The Secret Song File needs calm music to sooth her spirit, but not so calm as to make her fall into a coma (like the new Diana Krall), but then thought, "No, wait, I want bongos!" Which brought her to a spanking new compilation of the best-est bongo player who ever lived. For reals! And it's fantastic. She didn't know she needed this till she played it.
Whatever gets you through the day, right?
Bongo or cha-cha in the comments, if you like!
