Chris Connor Witchcraft Atlantic 1959

Chris Connor Witchcraft Atlantic 1959 CAT# SD-8032

Kansas City born jazz singer Chris Connor had a pretty impressive career that's largely forgotten. There's still a click of female jazz vocalist enthusiasts (all of whom would be familiar with Connor), but names like June Christy and Julie London tend to be the only ones you still see in print.

This album placed Connor with arranger Richard Wess who surrounded her with a big band and some string arrangements. It's a decent pairing that allowed her to retain her smokey torch style while embracing pop elements that aren't as obvious in her prior work.

Also, let's be honest, the cover is incredible. The font, the early Atlnatic logo and the colors throughout the picture of the eye. It's top-notch and yet another reason things like old LPs are infinitely cooler than CDs.

When Sunny Gets Blue

Joe Williams with Count Basie and His Orchestra Everyday I Have the Blues Roulette 1959

Joe Williams with Count Basie and His Orchestra Everyday I Have the Blues Roulette 1959 CAT# R52033

I love these Basie/Williams albums.  Mostly because for the rest of his life, Joe Williams spoke so highly of Count Basie.  One of his early solo albums, he's quoted gloating about his work with Basie, then later performances, everywhere, always just gave huge thanks and credit to Count Basie.  He never forgot his roots.

This album is in all actuality considered a solo LP for Williams.  Joe Williams' popularity had reached it's peak.  Williams' popularity was also instrumental to Basie's continued success.  Basie's work on the album was a thank you to Williams for the years served as his band's singer.

Basie worked the arrangements with a smaller backing band than normal.  You still get the huge sound expected from Basie's standard and title track, "Everyday I Have the Blues."  However, after that, the album is laid back.  The swing style of "Going to Chicago" is a vocal workout for Williams with your basic club group from Basie.  The album flows like that for the most part, even a smoker like "Shake, Rattle and Roll" is toned down (but at a good clip, for sure).  It's a jazz vocal album that finds Williams showing off and Basie adding flourishes that don't normally appear on similar albums.

Everyday I Have the Blues