Customer Reviews

Once Upon A Summertime

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is the highpoint of Dearie's Verve recordings. The formula is not that different from her other discs--a small-group setting, a selection of a few well-known standards & a sprinkling of rarities & novelty numbers, & the inevitable French tune (the title-tune, though it's sung in English). Yet the disc has a real gravitas & emotional punch that can take the listener by surprise. "Tea for Two" is taken at a very gentle pace, the lighthearted lyrics cracking open to reveal a haunting wistfulness. A similar transformation is worked on "Manhattan". Midtempo tunes like "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" & "If I Were a Bell" are brightly & charmingly done; the swinger "Moonlight Saving Time" features a very good piano solo from Dearie.

As with her friend Dave Frishberg, Dearie shows that you needn't worry too much about vocal technique when you have some innate musicality, a brain & a sense of humour. A quiet classic of 1950s vocal jazz.

Wonderful, witty and warm. Blossom Dearie is a national treasure and her late 50's - early 60's recordings for Verve make life worth living. There is no one like her in the world. Thank you for The Surrey With the Fringe On Top.

The comparisons to Dave Frishberg make good sense to me... and she's definitely one hip gal (Blossom Dearie was the lady answering King Pleasure in his famous recording of Moody's Mood for Love.) - - What's most amazing is that while lacking both the "operetics" of other aspiring Jazz vocalists and the improvisational venturousness of the bebop singers, she has something "else" which is hard to pinpoint... Cuteness ? Perhaps some, but then again she also has a way of phrasing, telling stories through the music and holding the listeners' attention... as a result, whereas the "cuteness" and "novelty" might wear off with other singers taking this approach, Blossom Dearie's style proves itself itself to have an eternally hip deepness that's easy to miss with just a quick listen and comparison.. in time one realizes beyond "cuteness" better words are "honesty" and "insight" to describe her playing... incidentally her piano playing ain't so bad either... (Check out her swinging solo on If I Were A Bell For Example....) the accompanyment of Eddie Thigpen and Ray Brown definitely doesn't hurt.... Ray Brown's bass solo over Eddie Thigpen's masterful brush drumming on Teach Me Tonight is worth the purchase of this CD 10 times over ! ! ! ...not to mention Mundell Lowe's presence and the ridiculously cute and silly Doop-Doo-De-Doop...

This collection of Blossom Dearie backed up by Ray Brown and company is simply delightful. It swings. No histrionics. No miserable Mitch Miller influence that derailed so many good female vocalists of the '50's. Just cool head bobbing good groovy music. Combining her "less is more" approach with Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen and Mundell Lowe shows that, once again, Norman Granz knew what he was doing. The rendition of Moonlight Saving Time is one of those tunes by Blossom that really frames the Blossom Touch. Of course, The Doodlin' Song will make a true jazz fan smile. Do not miss this music.

This is second only to 'Give Him the Ooh-la-la' in Blossom's Verve years. Blossom's voice is such a treat, and she really attacks a range of songs in this album. You've never heard Surrey with a Fringe on Top done like this. She adds a wonderful intro onto the beginning of 'Like Someone in Love'.

The one gripe I have with this album is that the overall tempo is just a touch slow.

This is second only to 'Give Him the Ooh-la-la' in Blossom's Verve years. Blossom's voice is such a treat, and she really attacks a range of songs in this album. You've never heard Surrey with a Fringe on Top done like this. She adds a wonderful intro onto the beginning of 'Tea for Two'.

The one gripe I have with this album is that the overall tempo is just a touch slow.

Listen to her sing "Manhattan". Real feeling and depth, great style, and impeccible musicianship. A classic album.

"Chic, squeeky-clean, a voice in a million." ~ Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times ~

"Blossom Dearie is one of New York's treasures." ~ Rex Reed, New York Observer ~

My recent trip to NYC had me humming and singing "Manhattan," the centerpiece of this beautiful album, for days now.

"I'll take Manhattan
The Bronx and Staten Island too...
...And tell me what street
Compares to Mott Street in July
Sweet pushcarts gently gliding by"

Since this Rodgers and Hart's gem of a song is an all-time favorite of mine, I created a Playlist in my Media Player library with different versions by my favorite singers. One of them is a beguiling rendition from Blossom Dearie in this album, "Once Upon A Summertime." Her sweetly subtle interpretation is so full of charms that makes it one of the best versions ever recorded.

Although Blossom Dearie was one of the most underrated female singers of her time, she was definitely one of the most talented singers the jazz world has ever known. She was not only a mere singer, she was also a piano player, arranger and songwriter.

I agree with two credible jazz writers/critics, Leonard Feather and Rex Reed, who nailed it in such a few words that mirror my thoughts about Blossom Dearie. And I can't believe that I am listening to an almost fifty-one-year-old recording because there's nothing to whine about the sound quality. It is excellent. This Norman Granz production is one of the best and well-recorded vocal jazz albums, and the coolest, I must say. And to quote the singer with a voice that has a crystal-clear clarity on her thoughts about this album, here goes....

"Norman Granz called and asked me to make another album with Tom. He and Ray Brown playing bass, Mundell Lowe playing guitar and Ed Thigpen playing drums. I could pick the songs and write the arrangements. How could a girl go wrong? So, by twisting my arm a few times, he seemed to persuade me to go ahead with it. . .even though I resisted stubbornly."

She resisted stubbornly, but she gave in anyway. And the end result is a cool album of jazz standards that showcases not only her soft and mellow vocals, but also her piano artistry and flair in arranging. If you appreciate cool and mellow vocal jazz, this is the perfect album to listen to. Give it a special spot in your music library. With my heartfelt recommendation.

"The city's bustle cannot destroy
The dreams of a girl and boy
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy"

This was her fourth album on the Verve label. Made in the late 50's. It includes songs that would later become the standards of her concerts, like "Surrey With The Fringe On Top", and as a specail treat Cy Coleman, writer for "Doop Do De Doop(a doodlin song) dropped in and sang it with her. Reissued in 1992.

I LOVE TO LISTEN TO BLOSSON DEARIE. SHE HAS HER OWN STYLE OF BEAUTY IN SINGING, PLAYING AND WORKING WITH THE BEST MUSICIANS.