This is one of the greatest live albums I have ever heard, possibly the greatest. It is a collections of songs recorded at a Los Angeles jazz club in 1971. Carmen McRae was a spectacular, if overlooked singer who had personality in fountains and a deeply expressive and distinctive voice.
Continue reading “Carmen McRae, The Great American Songbook”
I first heard this record in about 1985, when it was only a year old. I can’t remember how I first found out about it. Back in the eighties there were limits to how you could discover new music. Through NME, Sounds or Melody Maker possibly. Q, if you were slightly older and liked dad-rock. John Peel, Annie Nightingale or Andy Kershaw, if you liked something a bit different.
Continue reading “The Drum is Everything, Carmel”
What a fantastic album. Out of the past come these electrifying voices: Ella’s so expressive and rich, Louis’ thick and gravelly, the perfect accompaniment to his duet partner. The cover of this album is understated and oozes vintage taste.
Continue reading “Ella and Louis”