Book of Ballads
Book of Ballads | ||||
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Studio album by Carmen McRae | ||||
Released | 1959 | |||
Recorded | December 1–2, 1958, New York City[1] | |||
Genre | Vocal jazz | |||
Length | 40:46 | |||
Label | Kapp KL-1117 | |||
Producer | Frank Hunter | |||
Carmen McRae chronology | ||||
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Book of Ballads is a 1959 album by jazz singer Carmen McRae, arranged by Frank Hunter.[2][3]
Billboard chose the cover of Book of Ballads as their 'Album Cover of the Week' in their January 19, 1959 issue.[4]
Reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Allmusic awarded the album four stars and reviewer Jason Ankeny wrote that "The Book of Ballads in question is the Great American Songbook, and Carmen McRae breathes new life into some of its most dog-eared pages on this wonderful session..." Ankney also wrote that McRae's readings of "When I Fall in Love", "Isn't It Romantic?" and "How Long Has This Been Going On?" were sung with "...uncommon care and intelligence, summoning rich new meaning from the familiar lyrics. In her hands, the songs pulse with energy and life." Ankeny praised the album's arranger, Frank Hunter, and pianist Don Abney and his trio for their "...nuanced, evocative backings that afford McRae the necessary space to do her thing."[2]
Track listing
- "By Myself" (Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz) – 3:12
- "The Thrill Is Gone" (Buddy DeSylva, Ray Henderson) – 3:52
- "How Long Has This Been Going On" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 4:0
- "Do You Know Why?" (Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) – 2:52
- "My Romance" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 3:53
- "Isn't It Romantic" (Hart, Rodgers) – 3:00
- "If Love Is Good to Me" (Redd Evans, Fred Spielman) – 3:29
- "When I Fall In Love" (Edward Heyman, Victor Young) – 3:47
- "Please Be Kind" (Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin) – 3:14
- "He Was Too Good to Me" (Hart, Rodgers) – 2:41
- "Angel Eyes" (Earl Brent, Matt Dennis) – 2:41
- "Something I Dreamed Last Night" (Sammy Fain, Herbert Magidson) – 3:59
Personnel
- Carmen McRae – vocals
- Don Abney – piano
- Joe Benjamin – double bass
- Charlie Smith – drums
- Frank Hunter – arranger, conductor, director
- George Melluso – photographer
References
- ^ Leslie Gourse (2001). Carmen McRae: Miss Jazz. Billboard Books. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-8230-7904-9.
- ^ a b c "Book of Ballads". AllMusic. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "Carmen McRae – Book Of Ballads". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Album Cover of the Week". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 19 January 1959. p. 31. ISSN 0006-2510.
- v
- t
- e
albums
- A Foggy Day with Carmen McRae
- Carmen McRae
- By Special Request
- Torchy
- Blue Moon
- After Glow
- Mad About the Man
- Carmen for Cool Ones
- Birds of a Feather
- Book of Ballads
- When You're Away
- Something to Swing About
- Carmen McRae Sings Lover Man and Other Billie Holiday Classics
- Something Wonderful
- For Once in My Life
- Portrait of Carmen
- The Sound of Silence
- Just a Little Lovin'
- November Girl
- It Takes a Whole Lot of Human Feeling
- Ms. Jazz
- Can't Hide Love
- I'm Coming Home Again
- Heat Wave
- You're Lookin' at Me (A Collection of Nat King Cole Songs)
- Any Old Time
- Carmen Sings Monk
- Sarah: Dedicated to You
albums
- Boy Meets Girl with Sammy Davis Jr.
- Porgy and Bess with Sammy Davis Jr.
- Two for the Road with George Shearing
- The Carmen McRae – Betty Carter Duets
albums
- Tonight Only!
- Carmen McRae in London
- Take Five Live
- Live at Sugar Hill
- Woman Talk
- The Great American Songbook
- At the Great American Music Hall
- Recorded Live at Bubba's
- Fine and Mellow: Live at Birdland West
- Performing Music from The Subterraneans
- The Real Ambassadors
- Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday at Newport