 Various Artists Ella, Billie, Sarah, Dinah, Nina, Blossom, Anita, Patti, Shirley … how would it be possible not to love a CD where you'd know pretty much every artist by first name? Verve's Jazz 'Round Midnight series is sort of a yuppified way of appreciating the label's supreme back catalog, but the Chanteuses volume cuts through the "late night" wine-sipping vibe by (inadvertently?) compiling a nearly flawless selection of definitive performances from some of the very best jazz singers ever. The CD sort of snuck up on me, as I don't generally get a lot of jazz compilations, and in fact now I can't even remember what it was that drew me to the CD in the first place, given my cynicism toward "easy jazz." But I must say, after literally hundreds of listens, I am ready to declare this the best compilation CD of its kind ever released, no shit. The mood is decidedly romantic, mainly featuring the vocalists with small groups or mellow big-bands. All but one of the tracks (Shirley Horn's magnificent 1988 reading of "I Wanna Be Loved") were recorded in the late 50s and early 60s, lending this CD the built-in power of that bygone era when jazz was still real and not merely "hip" soundtrack fodder. Every cut is perfect. Somehow, whoever got put in charge of compiling this volume of the series really hit every nail on the head, choosing great songs and performances of them that have never been equaled. The best thing about the CD is it gives some of the lesser greats (Blossom Dearie, Monica Zetterlund, Anita O'Day, Helen Merrill) a chance to shine right alongside the titans (Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday). Picking out high points would be ridiculous, as they are all high points, but I would be remiss in not pointing to Helen Merrill's heartbreaking "What's New" as being about as perfect a blend of lyric and voice as I have ever heard. Anyone who argues that Sinatra was a master of conveying emotional desperation should compare his blasé take on this deep, depressing torch song with Merrill's (accompanied by the incomparable Clifford Brown on trumpet). I mean, how many old standards actually have the power to make you weep, in reality? This one, for sure. Sinatra was a master of powerful emoting, yes, but most of it was pretty empty. That's why I stick with the great female singers, they are always better interpreters, period. Other favorites: Shirley Horn on "I Wanna Be Loved," proving that she just gets better and better, undeniably the greatest living singer there is. Monica Zetterlund's "Some Other Time," accompanied by Bill Evans: shimmering, true beauty all around. Pearl Bailey's hilarious "Tired," which closes the CD perfectly, featuring some of the most genuinely funny improvisation you'll ever hear. And of course, Ella's "Mood Indigo" and Sarah Vaughan's "Embraceable You"-perfect, timeless stuff. I can't say it too strongly: there is not a bad moment on this CD. Ironically, the only quibble I have with Chanteuses is the Nina Simone track, "Wild is the Wind." Although she is, of all the vocalists represented on this collection, probably my all-time favorite, her intense, nearly seven-minute version of the song sometimes seems out-of-place alongside the comparatively lighter torch songs done by the other singers. The effect, unfortunately, is to reinforce the notion that Nina is overblown and lacking in restraint, when in fact it's a great performance simply in the wrong context. A secondary criticism is that the sound, overall, is not very clean and full of all that tape hiss you'll find on most CDs of old material remastered in the late 80s. But even stating these reservations at all is overstating them. Get this CD, and don't worry if your friends call you a yuppie. What kind of friends are they if they call you names?
Review by Mo Ann Mons |