Customer Reviews

Mildred Bailey : 1937-1938

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One of Mildred Bailey's cuts 'You're Laughing At Me' was one of her most famous. Even the accompanying musicians are a "Who's Who."

A famous singer with a group of musicians who could stand in their own right: Roy Eldridge (t), Scoops Carry (as), Herbie Haymer (ts), Teddy Cole (p), John Collins (g), Truck Parham (b), Zutty Singleton (d). -- what a star lineup as one's orchestra!

Mildred Bailey, at her best with some of the best musicians of the day, this is style - Mildred Bailey's vocal and the accompanying musicians' techniques - which gives this CD a vintage sound.

Vintage jazz as recorded on the Vocalions - 1937.

submitted by george, chicago il

When I was a kid, I only knew "Thanks for the Memory" as Bob Hope's signature sign-off. It seemed like just a silly novelty tune, crooned by an ageing comedian. But Mildred Bailey's version has so much nuance, so many layers of meaning, she has resuscitated this song for me. She captures all the sarcasm, bile and dark humour in the lyrics, all the while making what could have just been a catchy pop tune swing like mad. It's a performance for the ages that also points up why I find myself enjoying Mildred Bailey lately more than I ever have Billie Holiday. Holiday was unmatched in songs of heartache, but Bailey sings to much broader emotional concerns. Scratch at the surface of her performances, and more layers are revealed, musically and emotionally. Where Holiday seems to have left the world with a wan smile and a shrug of resignation, a fading twinkle in her eye, I somehow imagine Bailey meeting it head-on with a jut in her jaw and a cocked eyebrow. Seventy years later, her music can still give you strength.