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2.0 out of 5 stars
An Ethel Waters Collection: 1938-1946, February 1, 2007
This review is from: Takin a Chance on Love: Compl Bluebird Session (Audio CD)
Before finding fame as an actor as a middle-aged woman, Ethel Waters was a Blues singer in the 1920s, a peer of Bessie Smith and Ida Cox, who transitioned into singing Jazz and Pop music. These are some recordings from the second phase of her career.
TAKIN' A CHANCE ON LOVE (front cover subtitle: "The Complete Bluebird Sessions & More") consists of 27 songs recorded 1938 thru 1946; songs are in chronological order. Disc packaged in clear jewel case; total running time: 77:23. Booklet includes an essay by J.G. Calvados (in Spanish, and translated into English by A. Padilla) and track information (including recording dates and musician personnel). Sound quality is decent.
Ethel Waters's voice is not as high as her earlier recordings. It is deeper and softer than her 1920s recording; it is more mellow.
Tracks 1-7 from 1938; tracks 8-19 from 1939.
Tracks 20-23 from 1940.
Tracks 24-27 from 1946.
There are two versions of both "Taking a Chance on Love" and "Cabin in the Sky". This compilation also includes the songs "Georgia on My Mind" (later recorded by Ray Charles), "Jeepers Creepers" (used in the 2001 horror film of the same name), and "Dinah". There is also "Push-Out" a fun dance-instruction song.
A good companion piece to this album is the 2004 compilation "Am I Blue: 1921-1947", which is comprised primarily of recordings from the `20s. Only three songs overlap between the two albums: 1938's "Jeepers Creepers" (featured in the 2001 horror film of the same name) and her 1940 recordings of "Taking a Chance on Love" & "Cabin in the Sky".
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