Lady Sings the Blues

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 25, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00008J2K1
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,524 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Key Largo

2. Solitude

3. Embraceable You - Dianne Reeves

4. Don't Go to Strangers

5. Call Me

6. I'm Just a Lucky So and So

7. Call Me Irresponsible

8. Something Cool

9. You Go to My Head

10. The Very Thought of You

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Here's That Rainy Day

2. Stormy Weather

3. In A Sentimental Mood - Dianne Reeves

4. They Can't Take That Away from Me

5. Body and Soul

6. Some Day My Prince Will Come

7. More Than This

8. The Thrill Is Gone

9. You're Changed

10. Cry Me a River

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Sound Nostalgia, July 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lady Sings the Blues (Audio CD)

A Great Gift Album. At my tender age of 61 a family member ordered this album. The engineering is as smooth as the music; super sound and super stars. "New" pop, jazz, etc., have nothing to offer compared to those singing pioneers, who just became better and better with age. Anything else is just a mere copy of perfection. There isn't another Peggy Lee, who I heard on stage in the 1960s. She awed everyone with her love of music and a generous performance filled with so many encores for an audience with endless requests. All the Ladies on the album are the best singing so many "best" classics-all blues-of course!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars two CDs that create an awesome sentimental mood..., April 29, 2008

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lady Sings the Blues (Audio CD)

Lady Sings The Blues is a marvelous two CD set that has so much to offer! This really gives people a large amount of timeless ballads from some of the best divas of the entire twentieth century. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very thoughtful.

Sarah Vaughan kicks off the set with her wonderful interpretation of "Key Largo." Sarah sounds just lovely and her ability to play with tempo changes impresses me greatly. The musical arrangement is rather jazzy as well. There's also "Embraceable You" sung by Dianne Reeves; Dianne sings this with all her heart and soul. The tempo is slowed down somewhat from the tempo I'm used to but this ballad as sung here by Dianne Reeves still holds its own very well. Della Reese also sounds great on "Call Me." "Call Me" has a particularly lush arrangement and Della's voice is rich, warm and rather vibrant. Della sure could belt out a tune!

Dinah Washington turns in a fine performance on "Call Me Irresponsible;" this tune gets the royal treatment from Dinah and she was born to sing songs like these! Dinah's energy makes this a major highlight of this two CD set and I'm sure you'll like it as much as I do. Moreover, Nancy Wilson's "The Very Thought Of You" is absolutely perfect--Nancy delivers this with panache, heart and soul! The strings are used to great advantage and the piano arrangement is very elegant as well. Kay Starr sings a stunning version of "It Had To Be You;" if this is your type of music then I dare you not to like this!

The second CD continues the hits. Sarah Vaughan returns to sing a passionate rendition of "Stormy Weather." Sarah bats this one straight out of the ballpark and she never sings a superfluous note, either! Sarah Vaughan always remains one of my favorite songbirds of all time; and just one listen will tell you why. Cassandra Wilson also sings "Someday My Price Will Come" with a slow, romantic delivery that just amazes me whenever I hear it; and listen also for "You've Changed" by the great Nancy Wilson. "You've Changed" is a classic bluesy ballad that Nancy infuses with so much emotion that it truly shines here on this set.

Julie London sings "Cry Me A River;" many people said that this song in actuality belonged to Julie London--and I think those people are right! Julie sings this with a degree of sensitivity that only she could muster. Keely Smith also does a smash-up job on "I Wish You Love;" Keely's voice is very rich and warm. "I Wish You Love" stuns me with its natural beauty. The CD set also ends well with Lena Horne performing "We'll Be Together Again." "We'll Be Together Again" is the perfect ending to this two CD set.

Overall, blues music aficionados cannot afford to go without this two CD set. These timeless ballads shine so well; don't be surprised if you find yourself listening to this practically every day of the year!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Lady is no Tramp..., April 17, 2003

By 

Tanya Morgan (the New York Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady Sings the Blues (Audio CD)

The fire of Etta James, the elegance, clarity and perfect pitch of Ella and the sophomoric verve of newcomer Norah Jones creates an amazing mosaic of the incredible history of women in jazz. I initially found myself trying to find a logical connection between the very diverse tracks and artists but resigned those analytical impulses to the emotion, truth and appeal of the CD. It somehow alludes the discombobulation of typical "best of" CD's but rather delivers a very fluid soundtrack feel. It seems to indirectly chronicle the struggle, tenacity and success of the best women in jazz; excellent production underscores the legendary tracks and voices.