Customer Reviews

Best of Miss Peggy Lee

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Peggy Lee didn't appear in the film "The Man With the Golden Arm." I believe you are thinking of "Pete Kelly's Blues," for which Lee received an Oscar nomination for Supporting Actress, and in which she sang "Sugar," "Somebody Loves Me," "He Needs Me" and "Sing a Rainbow." Two of these appear on the soundtrack, and all four appear on the fantastic boxed set "Black Coffee and Other Delights: The Decca Anthology." Both are available from amazon. Enjoy!

As for "The Best of Miss Peggy Lee," it is by far the best single-CD overview yet of Lee's lengthy career.

This CD is an excellent introductory sampling of the work of the great Peggy Lee. Peggy possessed such a rare talent that she was able to move people with her fantastic voice and acting for quite a few decades nonstop; and this CD is just the beginning of the proof of that.

The CD contains 16 songs recorded by Peggy during the years she spent at Capitol Records from 1945 through 1969. (Peggy spent the early 1950s at Decca Records so her work from that time is not found here.) There's not a dud in the entire set; the CD is so hot I almost shouted "Fire!" as I listened to Peggy's vocal range and fantastic voice. The CD covers the broad spectrum of songs that Peggy could all do so well. For example, there's the seductive woman of the song "Big Spender" and "Golden Earrings;" there's the somewhat melancholy woman in the song "Waiting For The Train To Come In;" and there's the playful, cheerful and energetic Peggy when she performs "It's A Good Day," "Mañana," and "I'm A Woman." There is even a type of R&B flavor to songs like "Fever" and "Alright, Okay, You Win." The CD ends with the incredible "Is That All There Is," a song that displays so well Peggy's ability to act as she sang. You really feel the disappointment about a void in someone's life when Peggy performs this last song.

The liner notes are wonderful. There are song credits and a brief story about each song is standard. There are numerous black and white photos of Peggy which adds a personal touch to the liner notes.

The quality of the sound is excellent. Kudos to Bob Norberg at Capitol Mastering for doing such a fine job!

This CD has two flaws--it's just not enough of a great thing. I agree with the reviewer who writes that for a few extra bucks you might instead buy the CD with the DVD included if that is still available. The CD also lacks any work Peggy did while at Decca Records during the early 1950s. However, if you like this CD you'll be thrilled with the four CD box set "Miss Peggy Lee!"

I highly recommend this CD for fans of classic pop vocals, people who want an introduction to Peggy Lee and people who just want a single CD of Peggy Lee's great work. All the stars were in all the right places in the heavens when Peggy Lee came onto the scene and graced us with her fine artistry. Bravo, Peggy! SMILES

Better this were titled "Peggy Lee's Biggest Sellers for Capitol." It represents none of her activity for Decca, when she established herself as a class jazz act in the '50s, it omits some of her best things for Capitol, pre- and post-Decca (including "The Shining Sea"), and it passes over her career 1971-1991. If I had to go with just one, it would be the British import, "The Best of Peggy Lee." And if her creative accomplishments mean as much to you as her "hits," the "Best of the Decca Years" is more satisfying.

Recently, a biography of Norma Delores Egstrom ("Fever" by Peter Richmond) called her the greatest female pop/jazz singer of the 20th century. It's a debatable but defensible statement, but you wouldn't want to make the case based on this "flimsy" collection of hits remembered by thousands of listeners to AM, FM, television and 45 rpm collections during the '40s, '50s, and '60s. It's even questionable whether a single one of the songs on this anthology has earned (or deserves) admittance to that august collection referred to as "The Great American Songbook," of which Peggy (along with Sinatra, Ella, Billie and Bing) is one of the most definitive interpreters (no one "wastes" fewer notes than Peggy, who is more economical yet arguably as effective as Lady Day).

Let this be a preface, a mere taste of much more (and better) things to come.

Like most "Best of" albums this one has a variety of songs reflecting a veriety of sounds. If you really dig the sound of one song, odds are that the next one might not have it. That said, I've enjoyed this album.

I remember hearing "Fever" on the radio as a child, and thinking "are they allowed to play stuff like that on the radio?". The seduction in her voice was alluring and mysterious, you could almost see steam in the air.

While singing "Waiting for the Train to Come In", her super-laid-back drawl lets you see a woman by the tracks at the train station, the words being sung are the thoughts going through the woman's head, waiting for her man to come home.

Although I prefer the Mills Brothers' rendition of "I Don't Know Enough About You", with their wonderful harmony, Peggy's version still stands on its own merit, and is a welcomed addition to the CD.

The majority of the tunes on this disc are a sampling of the popular songs during the 40's and 50's, almost a condensed time capsule. "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe" is her cover of a song from the all-Black movie musical "Cabin in the Sky" (1943), starring Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson as Little Joe.

And last, and definitely not least, "Is That All There Is". A masterpiece in matching words to supporting music. I bought this CD specifically for this song. I remember hearing it when it was released in 1969, and it stopped me in my tracks. Stunningly written and performed, especially when compared to the mindless "bubble gum" pop music of that period. Even to this day, it's a creepy and beautiful song, and in my opinion, her best.

This CD contains a satisfying selection of Peggy Lee's more popular songs. The insert is straightforward with some good pictures of the singer at various points throughout her career, and detailed production information about each song. I would have liked to see some interesting tidbits/trivia about the singer herself . . . and also printed lyrics.

From the classic "I Don't Know Enough About You", one can tell that this is an extraordinary singer with a glorious sound all her own!! Peggy Lee was a favorite of my stylish Grandmother who Mr. Blackwell designed a gown specially for so you know that my musical upbringing was the very best!!! I remember this great voice from when I learned to walk so a single disc seems like nothing to me!! Of course the choices are great and for a single disc this is not bad but I would at least opt for the single disc with the great DVD of Peggy's extraordinary career!! Greats such as "Fever" and "Is That All There Is?" are here and the others are all equal Peggy Lee classics but I would still say stretch and go for the 2 disc with DVD collection and really enjoy one of the all time great legendary singers of our lifetime!! Bravo Peggy Lee!!!!

I first heard her amazing voice when a radio station played "Fever". Although I didn't get the name of the singer at the time, the song and the sultry voice stuck with me. Months later when I was checking out the CDs at my local library, I came across a CD named "The best of Miss Peggy Lee" and the song "Fever" was listed on the cover. I took CD the home and that song turned out to be the same song I had fallen in love with months earlier. I soon enjoyed that wonderful voice again in many more lovely tunes.

In addition to the timeless "Fever", the CD contains more great songs including "I will be seeing you", which I find incredibly sad. We all have heard songs that put tears in our eyes. This song, as sung by Miss Peggy Lee, does that to me. Now when I hear her captivating voice on the radio, I know it's the voice of Peggy Lee and I smile happily.

Some singers have such a distinctive voice and style that the songs they sing are identified with their performances. Peggy Lee is one of these singers.

This disc brings Miss Lee back front and center once again, with the songs only she can sing. It is also an excellent selection and recording.

I mean no disservice to Bette Midler, but her renditions in the "Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook" left me so wanting to hear the originals that I ordered this disc.

BEING A MUSICIAN MYSELF FOR A GREAT NUMBER OF YEARS, AND I ONCE HAD THE PLEASURE OF PLAYING PIANO AT HER HOUSE, I CAN TELL YOU IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, SHE WAS A WONDER. IT WAS REALLY RECORDED AND MASTERED VERY WELL. AND ALSO THE SEQUENCING OF TUNES WAS EXCELLENT. I HIGHLY RECCOMEND IT. FRANK TAGLIERI.