This was the singing duo’s first LP, issued on Storyville Records in 1955. Their mix of straight vocals, scat singing and two-part harmony appealed to jazz enthusiasts immediately. Jackie would often sing ballads alone as she does on this album with Roy supporting at the piano.
They share vocal duties equally on the opening Says My Heart and follow on in comparable manner on Let’s Take A Walk Around The Block. Jackie demonstrates good slow ballad facility on Spring Can Really Hang you Up The Most. Roy plays sturdy, sympathetic chords at the piano.
Mine shows the pair swinging along easily with steady support from Kessel, Mitchell and Manne. On Bill’s Bit they indulge in the scat-singing they became famous for. The best example of this though is on Clifford Brown’s Daahoud, where the voices take on the role of instruments.
Lover receives a personal reading from the duo, Jackie singing the verse in ultra-slow ballad mode to begin and with the line moving into a rapid tempo as Roy takes over. The most impressive part of these vocal gymnastics was the impeccable intonation they achieved together.
This release benefits from four bonus tracks from later Jackie and Roy albums, notably a big-band version of Stoppin’ The Clock, featuring Art Farmer and Phil Woods along with a group of top session musicians. This one was later made famous by Mark Murphy. Jackie Cain and Roy Krall were unique in their approach to modern vocal jazz and this album is one of their best.
Discography
Says My Heart; Let’s Take A Walk Around The Block; Spring Can Really Hang you up The Most; Mine; Bill’s Bit; Lover; I Didn’t Know What Time It Was; Stoppin’ The Clock; Tiny Told Me; You Smell So Good; Lazy Afternoon; Daahoud; Listen Little Girl; I Wish I Were In Love Again; You Inspire Me; The Best Thing For You (49.59)
Jackie Cain (v); Roy Kral (v, p); Barney Kessel (g); Red Mitchell (b); Shelly Manne (d); plus big band and combos including Art Farmer, Clark Terry (t); Phil Woods (as); Jimmy Cleveland (tb); Milt Hinton (b); Osie Johnson (d). Hollywood, 1955. NYC, March 1956 & March 1957.
Supper Club 036
