Customer Reviews

Around Midnight

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'Around Midnight' is probably Julie London's greatest album from her days with Capitol. There's a dizzying jazz arrangement of "Lonely Night in Paris", a well-judged "Misty", and a suitably sultry "Don't Smoke in Bed" lends itself perfectly to London's style.

The biggest irony of Julie London's singing career was the fact that she never could give herself enough credit. She never felt her voice was special, and constantly downplayed her abilities. In the realm of the great jazz ladies, there was nobody who could touch her, nor will there ever be. Julie London was a complete original, and this reissue of 'Around Midnight' will be welcomed with open arms by her legion of fans.

[Blue Note Records/EMI 0946 3 69810 2 4]

Popular song stylist, Julie London truly got it all together to make this terrific album. 'Round Midnight is a typical example of that jazzy, bluesy, sultry sound that Ms. London was so famous for. Her voice is at it's peak with perfect phrasing.....and what a band! Her back up on all tracks shines as much as the singer! If you aren't familiar with London...this is the perfect CD to introduce her to you.....if you are and don't own this run...GET IT QUICK! You won't be sorry!

Julie London had a magnificent voice and she could lead her adoring audiences wherever she wanted them to go using the emotion in her voice. Julie London's artistry stands the test of time; decades after these recordings were made they still sell well and people love to hear her sing. What a gift she had! Moreover, weren't we lucky to receive that gift?

The track set begins with "'Round Midnight." The orchestra plays a great musical flourish at the very beginning; and when London comes in this song takes flight! Julie massages the lyrics to this forlorn jazz standard. The piano and Julie's voice make "'Round Midnight" into an unmistakable masterpiece; "'Round Midnight" provides a strong start for this album. "Lonely Night In Paris" follows; the bass at the start sounds great and Julie handles this as only a pro could! The subtle tempo changes seem so easy in Julie London's capable hands; but of course we know it really wasn't so easy. That's the PROOF we are listening to a master on this CD!

"Misty" allows London to cover this fantastic classic love ballad; Julie performs "Misty" to perfection as she pours her heart and soul into her performance. The musical arrangement makes great use of the piano and flutes, too. Sublime! "Black Coffee" sports great use of the horns to inject this number with a forlorn and romantic flavor; Julie sings "Black Coffee" without a superfluous note! Now why couldn't they all sing "Black Coffee" the way Julie did? Julie's talent sets her rendition of "Black Coffee" apart from all the others, NOBODY ever sang "Black Coffee" as well as Julie London did.

"Lush Life," a song Nat King Cole often sang, sounds new and completely fresh in Julie's care; her voice handles the notes and subtle tempo changes to make this number shine brilliantly! "Don't Smoke In Bed" gives us another bluesy jazz number that soars to new heights when Julie sings it. Julie does great justice to "Don't Smoke In Bed." "Don't Smoke In Bed" is definitely a highlight of this fine album.

"How About Me" lets Julie sing a beautiful song by Irving Berlin; when Julie sings this you'd swear you never hear this before--Julie once again makes this classic ballad that new and fresh. The musical arrangement uses the flutes to bolster "How About Me," too. Excellent! The musical interludes lacks nothing either.

"But Not For Me" showcases Julie's sublime vocals up against a marvelous tune by the Gershwin brothers. Julie sings this to perfection and the piano adds a sense of elegance to this number. "But Not For Me" is the very definition of sophistication--thanks to Julie London, that is!

The liner notes have an informative essay by James Gavin; and the artwork reflects tasteful forethought. You get the song credits, too.

Julie London's legacy lives on very well through her music and her performances on film as well. Although many "celebrities" are buried and forgotten, this will never happen to Julie London. Her voice generated more electricity than a neon sign theater marquee and these recordings remain in high demand. We are better off for Julie London sharing her talents with us.

Thank you, Julie! We miss you!

Julie London is a diva. She's a torch singer and this is her best record. "Lonely Night in Paris" had me dreaming of the city I'd call home a half century later and when I lived there I dreamed of this record. "Misty" is like an arrow to your soul and "Black Coffee" is a torchy, swinging, bluesy number so full of emotion that you want to cry and it seques into "Lush Life" a real heart breaker and another song that has you thinking of Paris.

"In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" alone is enough reason to call this one of the best ten records to come out in 1960. This is torch singing at it's finest. "How About Me" is heart achingly good, flutes and all. The record is over with the classic song, "The Party's Over" a song that makes you want to, as the lyrics say, "Dance and dream through the night," but sadly, "All dreams must end, the party's over." So sad, so good. This is a record everybody should own.

Though Julie's vocal range was limited, compared to the likes of other lounge singers of the day, she has long been credited with having a "come hither" voice and it could not be better said or exemplified than her performances on this album, originally released during her peak years. It has been previously stated (in the liner notes of another album) that when in the studio, Julie had to be tipsy or stoned to overcome her fear before the microphone. Listening to this album, it's like she's performing in a deserted club and singing just for you, the only patron! The songs, all standards, ooze out of the speakers with warmth and plenty of sex appeal, thanks to Julie, and you'll finish with wanting to take her home with you. Great example of this underrated singer!

J'aime Julie London, chanteuse de charme et de classe dont j'ai venté l'excellente compilation en 2CD. Around Midnight est son meilleur album : 12 titres finement ciselés et orchestrés avec mesure. Pas de chichis, pas de manière ostentatoire, pas de gueulantes, rien que le texte servi par une chanteuse subtile et un orchestre discret. Un seul problème, la durée du bonheur : à peine 40 mn...C'est court mais qu'est-ce que c'est bon !