Customer Reviews

Woman`s Place Is in the Groove - Women in Jazz 1923-1947

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This album gives us a great collection of jazz numbers by some of the very best female jazz artists of the twentieth century--and more! We get some very special, hard to find songs on CD; and just one listen proves it!
The track set starts with "Bluer Than Blue" by Lil Armstrong. The horns sound great at the beginning; and when Lil comes in this number takes flight! Lil's voice, clear as a bell, bolsters her performance. Lil laments that her man left her; and the melody works wonders for "Bluer Than Blue," too. Connie Boswell does a sublime rendition of "Mama Don't Allow It." Connie delivers this ballad without a superfluous note; and those musicians really jam! Connie never sounded better either. In addition, the immortal Bessie Smith gives us her all on "Down Hearted Blues." Bessie sings of unrequited love; and she never misses a note! You can tell Bessie's number was cleaned up somewhat and then just copied from a 78 rpm record; but this number is sure to please you anyway.

Ella Fitzgerald swings brightly on "Flying Home;" this number has a great piano arrangement and Ella scats flawlessly! Ella's vocal gymnastics make her performance of "Flying Home" a very special treat. I predict that you will enjoy "Flying Home" very much. Listen also for Adelaide Hall to perform a heavenly rendition of "That Old Feeling." Adelaide infuses this number with so much heart and soul that it truly sounds like one of the best torch songs you've ever heard. The organ enhances the natural beauty of "That Old Feeling," too.

"I'm Gonna Lock My Heart (And Throw Away The Key)" features Billie Holiday giving her all for this awesome number! Billie's voice sounds great and the melody sports a jazzy quality that enchants me. The musicians have some fun jamming, too! Listen for that great horn solo on "I'm Gonna Lock My Heart (And Throw Away The Key)." "Why Don't You Do Right" showcases a young Peggy Lee who was still working with Benny Goodman when this was recorded. Peggy sounds great and the musical arrangement lacks nothing--it's THAT good. What a great number!

Lee Wiley performs an excellent rendition of "Let's Fly Away" with some great orchestration; and the CD ends fittingly with "A Slick Chick (On The Mellow Side)" by the great Dinah Washington. The horns wail so well; and when Dinah comes in she gives this ballad the royal treatment with her excellent diction, heart and soul. Excellent job, Dinah!

The liner notes give us the song credits and a well written essay about these numbers. The artwork reflects good judgment.

A Woman's Place Is In The Groove is truly a must-have for any jazz fan; and fans of classic jazz vocals will want this in their collections as well.

Enjoy!

Woman's Place is in The Groove - Women in Jazz 1923-1947
Acrobat (label) U.K. #ACRCD 163

Tracks/Artists are:
1. Bluer than Blue - Lil Armstrong
2. Oops! My Lady - Beryl Booker
3. Mama Don't Allow It - Connie Boswell
4. Bully Wully Boogie - Hadda Brooks
5. Down Hearted Blues - Bessie Smith
6. Shoo-Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy - June Christy with Stan Kenton and His Orchestra
7. Piano Boogie - Dorothy Donegan
8. Flying HOme - Ella Fitzgerald
9. A Woman's Place Is In The Groove - Vivien Garry Quintet
10. That Old Feeling - Adelaide Hall
11. I'm Gonna Lock My Heart (And Throw Away the Key) - Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra
12. Vi Vigor - The International Sweethearts of Rhythm
13. Snatch And Grab It - Julia Lee
14. Why Don't You Do Right? - Peggy Lee with Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
15. I Can't Dance I Got Ants In My Pants - Valaida Snow
16. Share Croppin' Blues - Kay Starr With Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra
17. Interlude (A Night in Tunisia) - Sarah Vaughan
18. Let's Fly Away - Lee Wiley
19. Harmony Grits - Mary Lou Williams' Girl Stars
20. Louisiana Lisa - Blanche Calloway and Her Band
21. A Slick Chick On The Mellow Side - Dinah Washington

I'm trying to educate myself a bit more about women players in jazz, and this album is incredible. I'm ashamed to say I never even heard of Hadda Brooks before, and knew next to nothing about Beryl Booker or Dorothy Donegan. What a great CD!