Customer Reviews

Black Coffee (Dig)

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This is in some respects an unlikely assemblage of talents. When's the last time you heard a major popular singer accompanied not by an orchestra or big band, not by a rhythm section (piano, bass, drums), not even by a rhythm section plus tenor saxophone but by a rhythm section plus trumpet? The trumpet player, Pete Candoli (referred to as "Cootie Chesterfield" on the original LP), moreover provides just enough brightness and fire to offset the "cool," low-key approach of Peggy as well as to push this normally controlled, perfectionist performer into some uncharacteristically spontaneous, even surprising, readings of familiar material. Compared to her straight-laced, flawless but stiff and sterile "live" session with George Shearing's trio, this is great jazz singing, as worthy of the description as any recording by a Billie Holiday or Carmen McRae.

As for individual tracks, Peggy makes practically each of these songs the standard by which all other readings of the same tune can be compared (give "I've Got You Under My Skin" to Sinatra-Riddle, but the others I can scarcely "hear" any more when performed by anyone other than Lee). Besides the sultry, bluesy "Black Coffee," listen to her set fire to "Make Room for Daddy," register vulnerability and a hint of pain on the sublime "Easy Living," celebrate life as a "Grand" affair with her swinging anapests on "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," and make you succumb to her alternate gospel on "It Ain't Necessarily So." But for me the highlights are the meditative reading of "When the World Was Young," the whispery, ethereal "You're My Thrill," and the positively sinful "There a Small Hotel" (if a more seductive invitation has ever been offered in music, I have yet to hear it).

Unlike other "torch singers," there are few traces of angst, masochism, and "hard-knocks" in Peggy's storytelling, yet she makes each song stick indelibly. There's something utterly transparent about her approach to her material, a quality that makes you forget she's singing for you rather than conversing with you. She draws you into her intimate circle, making you her privileged confidant.

Included on many lists as one of the ten greatest vocal jazz albums ever, "Black Coffee", recorded in 1953 and 1956, has always been Peggy Lee's own favorite album. Few listeners will be able to resist her ability to turn a standard into a magic moment in jazz history here, as Lee, a great actress with a song, sets up narrative intros of such drama that she seems to be telling personal stories. She varies the melodies, shifts from major to minor, experiments with phrasing, and totally commits herself to pure jazz.

When she sings "Black Coffee," for example, her changes from major to minor, with a single trumpet (Pete Candoli) echoing or wailing in the background, emphasize her anguish, and every listener will believe her agony, as she sings about being "low to the ground," with "not much heart to fight." "Easy Living," a song-poem celebrating being in love, is so intense it will make everyone wish to have a love like hers. "It Ain't Necessarily So," sung slower than usual, is sexy and suggestive, with a bass that resembles a heartbeat.

Two favorites (though it's hard to choose among all these winners) are "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," the song of a flirt who celebrates her love and wails, even while thinking of straying, and "When the World Was Young," a narrative song of Paris, which echoes the "Marseillaise" in its opening bars, as a woman reminisces about life in Paris, summer in Bordeaux, and the passage of time: "Where is the schoolgirl that used to be me?" Intensely emotional and very personal, Lee's interpretations reflect her confidence and her mature appreciation of lyrics, as, with perfect pitch, she plays with the melodies and soars.

Eight tracks from 1953 are recorded with Pete Candoli (trumpet), Jimmy Rowles (piano), Max Wayne (bass), and Ed Shaughnessy (drums). Four other songs, recorded in 1956, feature a whole different accompaniment--Stella Castellucci (harp), Lou Levy (piano), Bill Pitman (guitar), Buddy Clark (bass), and Larry Bunker on vibes, drums, and percussion. Though some listeners may prefer the trumpet-oriented jazz with Candoli to the harp, guitar, and vibes of the 1956 songs, Lee adapts equally well to both approaches, creating an album which has turned my respect for her talent and perfectionism into enthusiastic love for her spirit, imagination, and creativity. n Mary Whipple

This is another of my very favorite CDs. "I've Got You Under My Skin," "My Heart Belongs To Daddy," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," "Love Me or Leave Me," "There's a Small Hotel" and, best of all, the title tune "Black Coffee." This CD is a treat from start to finish. If you love great singers performing American pop standards, you're not going to want to miss this.

Black coffee is typical of Peggy's music - a jazz-pop collection featuring both famous and obscure songs from the Great American Songbook. The first eight tracks were originally released on an LP in 1953 and featured Peggy backed by trumpet, piano, bass and drums. Later, the LP was re-issued with four additional tracks - these are tracks 9 to 12 on this CD. Those four tracks were recorded at a later date and featured similar backing but with vibes and celeste instead of trumpet.

Among the songs on Black coffee, the title track remains one of Peggy's most famous songs despite never having been released as a single, while There's a small hotel i. Perhaps, the best of the other tracks on what can only be described as an outstanding collection - one of Peggy's finest albums. There are several classic songs here, usually associated with other singers, including I've got you under my skin, My heart belongs to Daddy, Love me or leave me, It ain't necessarily so and You're my thrill.

This album has previously been released in the UK as a twofer with a very different album (Sea shells) that owed more to folk music than anything else. I love that album but not as much as Black coffee. If you enjoy listening to Peggy Lee, you'll love this album.

Black Coffee is an incredibly fine CD by the incomparable Peggy Lee. Peggy's voice never sounded better; and she masterfully handles these songs with panache. The quality of the sound is rather good; and I love that artwork!

The album starts with the title track, "Black Coffee." This jazzy little tune shines brighter than gold when Peggy sings it with passion, heart and soul. I'm very impressed with the horn arrangement in the background while Peggy sings this perfectly. I predict that you will enjoy "Black Coffee" very much. Listen also for "I've Got You Under My Skin." This second number has a faster tempo that is also rather jazzy--and elegant. Peggy bats this straight out of the ballpark and she changes tempo and keys effortlessly. "I've Got You Under My Skin" is a very romantic classic jazz vocal that really lets Peggy show off her remarkable singing abilities!

"My Heart belongs To Daddy" was always one of my favorite songs; and here Peggy doesn't let us down! Peggy delivers this with style and her delivery of this song is enhanced even further by her excellent diction and timing. She never misses a beat, either! "It Ain't Necessarily So" slows down the pace a bit but Peggy never stops sounding like she was born to sing this type of number! "It Ain't Necessarily So" shines bright when Peggy sings it. "A Woman Alone With The Blues" sounds like the tune you might hear in an elegant lounge or nightclub; Peggy infuses this with so much emotion and she's able to use her voice to convey every subtle nuance of the lyrics.

"When The World Was Young" puts Peggy right into the spotlight--where she always belonged. The piano arrangement is quite pretty; and I also like "Love Me Or Leave Me." This fine jazzy number gets the royal treatment from Peggy who sings this like a true chanteuse. The album ends with Peggy performing "There's A Small Hotel;" this song is about Peggy's character dreaming of her honeymoon with her sweetheart after their wedding.

Black Coffee is an excellent album for fans of Peggy Lee; and people who love classic jazz vocals will not be disappointed. This is also an excellent starter CD for people just coming to know the true greatness of Peggy Lee's artistry.

I will admit: These are not the best charts of standards I've ever heard. Nor are these the finest back-up musicians I've ever heard. But none of that matters. This is a must-have for any serious vocal jazz collection, because nobody but nobody ever sang more intimately than Peggy Lee.

By that, I don't mean sexually intimately. (Though, I will admit, the way she sings "black coffee" on the title track makes me want to grab her and console her, then see what further liberties are available!) I mean, the way she sings a phrase such as to let you in on her little secret, in a manner that makes you proud to be part of her club.

Consider how she sings "She says" when describing how Moses got fished out of the water in "It Ain't Necessarily So"; or "I got my mink" or "used to be...me" in "When the World Was Young"; or the word "thrill" in "You're My Thrill"; or the way she plays with the word "daddy" in "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." Peggy Lee and Lena Horne were both like this in the good old days; and for all the great contemporary female jazz singers, none seem to be able to emulate that intimate quality of these two. No wonder Sinatra was so ga-ga over her!

There is a two-c.d. release of Peggy Lee's with this album name. Don't be confused; this is the c.d. you want. RC

I first bought this album in the late fifties. I thought it was great then, and I have not changed that opinion one bit. It is one of my all-time favorites, it never palls, for musicianship, excitement, intimacy, great swing.......It has been called one of the greatest vocal jazz albums and I would absolutely agree with that. The only problem - Miss Lee's other albums don't sound so great alongside this one. A must for any vocal jazz lover, indeed any lover of popular music.

Often cited as the first jazz oriented lp by a popular singer,BLACK COFFEE has a justified reputation.Only the inclusion of EASY LIVING and YOU'RE MY THRILL prevents it from being perfect.Those two are at my humble point of view weaker songs.The disc has a beautifully sexy atmosphere to it that is hard to resist.I also admire the way PEGGY is able to use the limitations of her voice to best effect.I heard many renditions of I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN,LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME and THERE'S A SMALL HOTEL, but never like the way miss LEE trancends them.I heard that PEGGY LEE has influenced many singers that came after her.Well,this disc can attest to that truth.Beleive me,there are singers that are worth remembering and PEG is among them.

I've been a Peggy Lee fan my whole life.Her career covered movies,singing with the Benny Goodman band,radio,t.v.and making records.I always considered her a fine pop singer until I came across her collection of songs on "Black Coffee".Recorded with two different jazz combos,Miss Lee
shows herself to be an excellent jazz singer whose timing and phrasing
is akin to Sinatra's skill in these areas.The collection of songs on "Black Coffee"is a combination of the familiar to not so familiar,but
all are beautifully done,with Miss Lee in complete control.In an interview
much later in her life,she acknowledged"Black Coffee"as one of her favorite works.I heartily agree!

If you like jazz and Peggy Lee, then this album is a typical of good quality music, including many well known standards. I cannot enough. Thanks Amazon with the purchase, as it was extremely difficult to buy the same music CD in Australia. Regards Mr Terry Somerville, GAWLER EAST, South Australia, AUSTRALIA