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Genre ~ Vocal, Standards | Label ~ Snapper/Recall
Carmen McRae always had a nice voice (if not on the impossible level of an Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan) but it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretations of lyrics that made her most memorable. She studied piano early on and had her first important job singing with Benny Carter's big band (1944), but it would be another decade before her career had really gained much momentum. McRae married and divorced Kenny Clarke in the '40s, worked with Count Basie (briefly) and Mercer Ellington (1946-1947), and became the intermission singer and pianist at several New York clubs. In 1954 she began to record as a leader' and by then she had absorbed the influences of Billie Holiday and bebop into her own style. McRae would record pretty steadily up to 1989 and, although her voice was higher in the '50s and her phrasing would be even more laid-back in later years, her general style and approach did not change much through the decades. Championed in the '50s by Ralph Gleason, McRae was fairly popular throughout her career. Among her most interesting recording projects were participating in Dave Brubeck's the Real Ambassadors with Louis Armstrong, cutting an album of live duets with Betty Carter, being accompanied by Dave Brubeck and George Shearing, and closing her career with brilliant tributes to Thelonious Monk and Sarah Vaughan. Carmen McRae, who refused to quit smoking, was forced to retire in 1991 due to emphysema. She recorded for many labels including Bethlehem, Decca (1954-1958), Kapp, Columbia, Mainstream, Focus, Atlantic (1967-1970), Black Lion, Groove Merchant, Catalyst, Blue Note, Buddah, Concord, and Novus. ~Allmusic
Tracklist, Disc One:
01. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance (3:45)
02. More Than You Know (4:38)
03. Gentleman Friend (4:14)
04. Too Late Now (5:06)
05. You're All I Need (3:18)
06. What is There to Say (4:49)
07. Cloudy Morning (2:59)
08. I'm an Errand Girl for Rhythm (3:32)
09. Beautiful Moons Ago (3:10)
10. Frim Fram Sauce (3:58)
11. How Does it Feel (4:02)
12. I Can't See for Lookin' (3:28)
13. You're Lookin' at Me (4:11)
14. Just You, Just Me (4:00)
15. Come in Out of the Rain (3:10)
Tracklist, Disc Two:
01. Heat Wave (3:06)
02. All in Love is Fair (4:25)
03. Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me (3:11)
04. Love (3:05)
05. Speak Low (4:49)
06. Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing (3:43)
07. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry (5:33)
08. Fine and Mellow (9:37)
09. These Foolish Things (5:25)
10. Black and Blue (7:39)
11. Until the Real Thing Comes Along (5:05)
12. One More Chance (4:16)
Personnel:
Carmen McRae - vocals on all tracks; featuring
George Shearing, John Collins, Marshall Otwell, John Leftwich, Donald Bailey,
Cal Tjader, Mark Levine, Rob Fisher, Vince Lateano, Poncho Sanchez, Ramon Banda,
Al Bent, Mike Heathman, Red Holloway, Jack McDuff, Phil Upchurch, John Clayton, Paul HUmphrey
Recorded between 1980-1987
Produced by Carl Jefferson & Red Holloway
Engineered by Phil Edwards
Issued under licence from Concord Jazz Inc.
This compilation, 2000, Snapper Music; made in England
Liner notes by Joop Visser
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