Usually, when people start getting into the pioneers of modern jazz female vocalists, they begin with the triumvirate of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. For some reason, Carmen McRae (1922-94) gets overlooked these days, although at one time her patented behind-the-beat phrasing was the style most imitated by singers in her wake, most notably in ladies like Diana Krall. This four disc-97 song boxed set tries to get her name back in the upper echelon, where it belongs.
The collection includes singles from the late 40s to 50s, beginning with her stint with Mercer Ellington’s orchestra with a vibrant “Pass Me By”, and concluding her time with Decca singles with a big band with strings that features trumpeter Charlie Shavers with rich reads of “Invitation” and “Moonray”. Subsequently, included is her 1955 eponymous Bethlehem album, supported by Herbie Mann/fl, Tony Scott/p-cl, Mundell Lowe/g and Kenny Clarke/dr with irresistible reads of “Old Devil Moon” and “Easy To Love”. In 1956, her Decca album Torchy features her with orchestra and strings along with Joe Wilder/tp, Al Klink/ts for luscious versions of “Yesterdays” and “But Beautiful”, with McRae pouring her heart out. The same year, she delvered a small group beauty with Dick Katz/p, Wendell Marshall/b, Kenny Clarke/dr and Mundell Lowe/g, Herbie Mann/fl and Mat Mathews/acc for a bopping “Yardbird Suite” and swaggering “Sometimes I’m Happy”. Two albums from 1957 have McRae backed by Jimmy Mundy’s orchestra for a collection of after late night ballads including “My Foolish Heart” and “Lush Life”, contrasted with a swinging date with McRae at the piano alternating with Ronnell Bright with Specs Wright/dr and Ike Isaacs/b for riveting ballads such as “Guess Who I Saw Today” and bouncy swingers such as “Nice Work If You Can Get It”.
CD 1
01. Pass Me By
02. Autumn Nocturne
03. In Love In Vain
04. A Foggy Day
05. Wanting You
06. Go Slow
07. Charlie Is My Darling
08. Are You Happy?
09. Oh, My Darling!
10. "Ooh" (What'cha Doin' To Me)
11. If I'm Lucky
12. Keep Me In Mind
13. They All Laughed
14. Whatever Lola Wants
15. Am I The One To Blame
16. Get Set
17. You Don't Have To Tell Me
18. I Go For You
19. A Fine Romance
20. Love Is Here To Stay
21. This Will Make You Laugh
22. The Next Time It Happens
23. Come On, Come In
24. Come Down To Earth, Mr. Smith
25. I Guess I'll Dress Up For The Blues
26. Tonight He's Out To Break Another Heart
CD 2
01. Star Eyes
02. Never Loved Him Anyhow
03. You Don't Know Me
04. Skyliner
05. If You Should Leave Me
06. Namely You
07. I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
08. The Party's Over
09. I'm A Dreamer, Aren't We All
10. It's Like Getting A Donkey To Gallop
11. How Many Stars Have To Shine ?
12. Baby It's Cold Outside
13. Happy To Make Your Acquaintance
14. As I Love You
15. Passing Fancy
16. So Nice To Be Wrong
17. Moonray
18. Invitation
19. Lo And Behold
20. I Love The Ground You Walk On
21. I'll Love You (Till I Die)
22. I Don't Know His Name
23. Old Devil Moon
CD 3
01. If I'm Lucky
02. Tip Toe Gently
03. You Made Me Care
04. Last Time For Love
05. Misery
06. Last Night When We Were Young
07. Speak Low (When You Speak, Love)
08. But Beautiful
09. If You'd Stay The Way I Dream About You
10. Midnight Sun
11. My Future Just Passed
12. Yesterdays
13. We'll Be Together Again
14. Good Morning, Heartache
15. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You
16. Give Me The Simple Life
17. Sometimes I'm Happy
18. Something To Live For
19. I Can't Get Started
20. Yardbird Suite
21. Just One Of Those Things
22. My One And Only Love
23. I'll Remember April
24. Supper Time
25. You Took Advantage Of Me
CD 4
01. Blue Moon
02. My Foolish Heart
03. I Was Doing All Right
04. Summer Is Gone
05. Nowhere
06. Until The Real Thing Comes Along
07. Lush Life
08. Even If It Breaks My Heart
09. Laughing Boy
10. Lilacs In The Rain
11. All This Could Lead To Love
12. I Can't Escape You
13. Guess Who I Saw Today
14. My Funny Valentine
15. The Little Things That Mean So Much
16. I'm Thru With Love
17. Nice Work If You Can Get It
18. East Of The Sun
19. Exactly Like You
20. All My Life
21. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
22. Dream Of Life
23. Perdido