back

Blossom Dearie

Title: Once Upon a Summertime + My Gentleman Friend

Label: Essential Jazz Classics

Cat No:EJC55458
Format:CD

Our price £ 8.99
Normally Ships within 24 to 48 hours.

Email this to a friend.

Discovery Records
specialist music - mail order

• This CD contains two outstanding albums by singer Blossom Dearie in their entirety : ‘Once Upon a Summertime’ (1958) and ‘My Gentleman Friend’ (1959) – both originally on Verve - backed by superb jazz trios - consisting of Mundell Lowe on guitar, Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums, on the former album; and Kenny Burrell replacing Lowe, on the latter - plus flutist Bobby Jaspar on a few songs.

• An instrumental performance of one of the tunes from ‘Once Upon a Summertime’ featuring Dearie at the piano in a trio format has been added as a bonus.

• Blossom Dearie (recently deceased on February 7, 2009), lacked the vocal prowess of Ella and the range of Sarah Vaughan, but she made the most of her delicate, wispy voice by incorporating elements of cabaret into her style. She approached the classic songbooks of the Gershwins and Rodgers and Hart, etc, in her own inimitable style - as well as the lesser-known team of Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh; along with humorous songs by newer writers like Dave Frishberg.

• An accomplished pianist as well as a singer, she has also gained converts due to her feisty, humorous personality and quick wit. When performing in nightclubs, her contracts insisted that no food or drinks be served during her performance.

• Total Time: 73:02 mins - 23 tracks - Includes 12-page booklet

Track Listing for Once Upon a Summertime + My Gentleman Friend
1 Tea For Two 3:24
2 Surrey With The Fringe On Top 4:20
3 Moonlight Saving Time 2:03
4 It Amazes Me 4:20
5 If I Were A Bell 3:09
6 We’re Together 2:06
7 Teach Me Tonight 2:42
8 Once Upon A Summertime 2:47
9 Down With Love 1:43
10 Manhattan 4:20
11 Doop-Doo-De-Doo (A Doodlin’ Song) 2:19
12 Our Love Is Here To Stay 3:11
13 Little Jazz Bird 3:43
14 Gentleman Friend 3:50
15 It’s Too Good To Talk About Now 3:09
16 Chez Moi 3:10
17 You Fascinate Me So 3:33
18 You’ve Got Something I Want 2:37
19 Boum 2:11
20 L’etang 2:27
21 Hello Love 2:52
22 Someone To Watch Over Me 5:57
23 Surrey With The Fringe On Top 2:56*

Tt: 73:02

Reviews

Jazz Journal - Gordon Jack

Ms Dearie was a unique artist and this reissue finds her at her very best.

Discovery catalogue available for
Blossom Dearie

Once Upon a Summertime + My Gentleman Friend