Nice and Cool
This fine example of popular cool singing is very fine and agreable, although I'm not quite certain that the jazz criteria are met to the foolest extent (there are equally cool but more jazzy artists - for instance Mel Torme)... This is very good singing and quite competent orchestral playing, but on the level of lesser performances by Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald.
Great thing is that this CD brings both versions of the album; I recommend the later stereo recording; Christy seems to develop a bit between two versions.
Rugolo's arrangements are OK, but not quite to my taste.
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It must be June...
Of all the great jazz ladies, June Christy is still very much a particular favourite of mine. Her singing is totally organic, straight to the point. Nothing sounds artificial or forced. Here, Blue Note Records has reissued both stereo and mono versions of her 1953 album 'Something Cool' on one great-value disc. While Christy found initial fame under the musical direction of Stan Kenton, her series of albums on the Capitol label (through to the early 1960s) acutely displayed her sublime talents as a jazz diva, and never more so than on her debut platter.
Under the guidance of Pete Rugolo and his orchestra, Christy glides through "It Could Happen to You" (in one of the greatest arrangements EVER), "Midnight Sun", "I Should Care", and "I'll Take Romance" (also memorably covered by Eydie Gorme that same year). The title track, "Something Cool" (B. Barnes), became Christy's signature song.
The original 1953 album of 'Something Cool' was a big success for June Christy and established her as a formidable talent. During the first innovations of stereo LPs, Christy went back into the Capitol studios with Rugolo to re-record the album for the stereophonic format in 1960.
Technically, there isn't much to distinguish the stereo and mono cuts of 'Something Cool'. June Christy delivers fabulous vocals on both of them, but brings a refined showmanship to the stereo version. Her rendition of "Something Cool" is a bit more calculated and smokey on the 1960 set, too.
It's so wonderful to be able to relish June Christy on both versions of her landmark debut album.
[Blue Note Records 7243 5 34069 2 9]
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Two Albums over the time STEREO came into power
You HAVE to get this album not only for June Christy's great skill as a band vocalist, and for the stellar playing of the many fine jazz and studio cats who laid down these tracks (many come from Kenton. . .but don't think that this is just another Kenton album. . Christy definitely had her own album here!).
You HAVE to get this to hear what the exact same arrangements played by mostly the same performers sound like in beautiful HiFi MONO and then again in beautiful STEREO. It is a treat to your hearing faculties to compare the two. Like DAY and NIGHT. . .Night and Day. . .Hey! There's a song in that line. . .
The album is great with or without the Mono / Stereo thing. . .but I sure wish this kind of thing was done more often (compare one version of a particular recording, to a Re-recording of the same thing. It's great. By the way. . .
June Christy was an excellent singer, who became famous with Stan Kenton in the early 1950's. This album is a Concept Album, in the sense that it projects a sort of bluesy. . .boosey. . .saloon singer ethos. Christy is one who definitely lived this and sent out heartfelt sound in this arena. It is too bad that she did not avoid the ethos. But we can be happy that we have the wonderful sound of June really singing her heart out. The backing arrangements and band are second to none.
Chris Tune
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