Of the last four albums I’ve reviewed for Jazz Journal only one of them was what it said on the tin, i.e. just one album. Of the other three, one was actually three albums, and the other two – including this one – actually two albums. There’s nothing wrong with the concept, which is quite popular, but, as a rule they usually come right out with it – Gregory Schmearcase: Four Classic Albums – so that you know where you are.
In the present case what we actually have is the 11-track album Anita O’Day Sings For Oscar, plus the 12-track Pick Yourself Up With Anita O’Day, and, for good measure, a single, recorded in the same session as the second album, in fact all 24 tracks were recorded between February 1956, and January 1957, making the only difference the backing, an almost equal division of quartet and big band.
I’m hardly Ms O’Day’s number one fan. Her raspy, lickety-split delivery, heavy on eighth and sixteenth notes, and her bizarre straying from the melody have never gone down too well with me. I must confess, though, that by halfway through the second album she began to grow on me.
One thing that can’t be faulted is her choice of material, with both albums punctuated by under-recorded titles like Stella By Starlight, You Turned The Tables On Me, I Used To Be Colour Blind, Let’s Begin, There’s A Lull In My Life. Whilst I can’t go along with the original reviewers, who awarded both albums five stars, I can say that O’Day admirers ought to welcome this release with open arms.
Discography
[Anita O’Day Sings For Oscar] (1) S’Wonderful/They Can’t Take That Away From Me; Love Me Or Leave Me; Old Devil Moon; Tenderly; We’ll Be Together Again; Stella By Starlight; Them There Eyes; Takin’ A Chance On Love; I’ve Got The World On A String; You Turned The Tables On Me; Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered; [Pick Yourself Up With Anita O’Day] (2) Don’t Be That Way; Let’s Face The Music And Dance; I Used To Be Colour Blind; Pick Yourself Up; (3) Let’s Begin; Sweet Georgia Brown; I Never Had A Chance; Stompin’ At The Savoy; I Won’t Dance; There’s A Lull In My Life; Man With A Horn; Stars Fell On Alabama; [bonus track] (4) The Getaway And The Chase (77.27)
O’Day (v) with
(1) Oscar Peterson (p); Herb Ellis (g); Ray Brown (b); John Poole (d). Chicago, 31 January 1957.
(2) Buddy Bregman (arr); Larry Bunker (vib, bgo); Paul Smith (p); Barney Kessel (g); Joe Mondragon (b) Alvin Stoller (d). Los Angeles, 18 December 1956.
(3) Buddy Bregman Orchestra featuring Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli (t); Frank Rosolino (tb); Bud Shank (as); Stan Getz (ts); Jimmy Giuffre; (bar); Paul Smith (p); Barney Kessel (g); Joe Mondragon b); Shelly Manne (d); and others. Los Angeles, 19-20 December 1956.
(4) Buddy Bregman Orchestra. LA, 23 February 1956.
Poll Winners Records 27231
