Customer Reviews

Something Latin / Something Porter

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

 

 

The June Christy album was an attempt to move this remarkable jazz singer into the hip contemporary pop market. The arranger was Judy Garland-Peggy Lee-Joni James favorite Jack Marshall and his instrumental voicings and figures are jaunty and flavorful. As always with Christy, the song selection is venturesome and off-beat. But she sounds gravely and hoarse on the album. I saw her in concert with Kenton and the Four Freshmen at the same time the record was done. Her voice was light as a feather, nimble and alluring. I think something went awry in the production of the album and specifically a choice of the microphone for the vocals. Still, the album is worth having. Southern's Porter album is justly much-celebrated for the eclectic choice of songs, Billy May's nimble and highly imaginative arrangements, and the singer's totally charming, totally intelligent and totally musical interpretations of some quite challenging music. Beautifully recorded, too. A charmed twin bill for sure!

This was June Christy's last album for Capitol records. When it came out in 1965, she was still a relatively young woman, but her voice had changed remarkably from late 1962, when she recorded "One Note Samba," also included on the CD. Her voice, while still appealing, is deeper and huskier than on her earlier recordings.

"Something Broadway/Something Latin" is a pop album, not a jazz album, but a good singer is a good singer,and Christy does a nice job with these tunes. As is usually the case with her albums, some of the best songs are quite obscure. Most of Ernie Freeman's Latin tinged arrangements are pretty good, and a few rise to greatness. There's a couple classic performances, including "Do I Hear A Waltz," in which Christy sounds giddy and gleeful as the string arrangement swells under her voice and "Tell Me More," with its lovely melody and seductive arrangement. Even at this late date, her voice grabs you.

I also enjoyed the Jeri Southern album of Cole Porter songs. Not all the Porter tunes are great songs, but she effectively interprets Porter's witty lyrics, and when listening, you realize how much care went into the rhymes in these songs. Billy May's arrangements are excellent.

Two very good albums, recommended for those who like vocal pop music.

I was initially drawn to this CD because of Jeri Southern's "Meets Cole Porter" album, but instead fell more heavily for June Christy's "Something Broadway, Something Latin"! Perhaps it's not so surprising though, because I recently reviewed Peggy Lee's 1960 "Latin ala Lee!" album which has much of the same vibe, and I was quite taken with that as well.

True, Christy's singing voice had significantly diminished by the time she recorded this album in 1965 (the glory days of "Something Cool", "Ballads for Night People", etc. were truly over); but I find her throaty vocals quite compelling and affecting. It adds a very sexy, playful tone to the album.

While most of the selections on June Christy's "Something Broadway, Something Latin" are upbeat showtunes, things take a much more sedate turn with Jeri Southern's album of Cole Porter pieces. Recorded in 1959, "Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter" features a varied tunestack, with many--quite refreshingly--taken from Porter's less-recorded works. Southern's soft, caressing voice glides through some particularly lush Billy May orchestrations.

Two of the great jazz voices. Nice for the price. [DRG 8507]

This double collection of songs is a fine one in many ways. June Christy, in an album recorded later in her career, has unusually good pitch and tone. Her styling is flawless, as any dyed-in-the-wool Christy fan would agree. "Do I hear A Waltz" and "Here's that Rainy Day" are two special favorites of mine.

Jeri Southern's collection of Cole Porter songs are those slightly remote compositions which are not performed in every Porter collection. Ms. Southern's subtle, pure interpretations enhance the playful double entende of Porter's work. "Looking At You", "It's Bad For Me", and "Let's Fly Away" are perfect examples. As always, Jeri's unexaggerated renditions give the listener more to think about, and not less in the long run. You will sing these songs in your head afterward, and walk away with a greater understanding of Porter's lyrical motivations.

June Christy and Jeri Southern are in my opinion two of the many great vocalists of the 50's to early 60's. They both had a distinct soothing, cool crisp sound, and this collection will not disappoint.

The "Something Broadway, Something Latin" album was done with longtime producer Bill Miller in an attempt to market June Christy to a more pop sound, and probably done to sell records. Interestingly enough Miss Christy interpretation of these 12 songs is quite enjoyable. Her phrasing and mood are typically Christie and work well with the arrangements.

I've always though that Jeri Southern could sing anything and get your attention, as she does with "Something Porter." Despite the fact that some of the 13 songs may be somewhat obscure, they all offer something special and unique, especially when you have a good vocalist, great musicians, and a great writer with beautiful lyrics.

Even though these albums are about seven years apart the wide variety of songs may appear to be generations apart, yet it works and I am sure the listener will be pleasantly surprised. This CD comes with very informative liner notes for the listner who likes to read more details about the songs.

I highly recommend this to any June Christy and Jeri Southern fan, especially if you enjoy Broadway show tunes!!!

For what should have been a great pairing, the lackluster performance of the Misty Miss Christy just was not up to par. the album's star is the incomparable Jerri Southern, who makes this purchase worthwhile after all.