Anita O´day Live at Mingo´s

A solid album by vocalist Anita O'Day that was done in the mid-'70s, but was initially only available in Japan. She subsequently released it on her own label, but it's still not seen widespread distribution and may be tough to find. Her voice was once again in vivid, expressive form after her successful battle with drug and alcohol problems.

Legendary jazz vocalist Anita O'Day performs with, among others, her life-long musical partner, John Poole. Acknowledged by many as the world's most inventive jazz singer, she performs a number of classics such as "On Green Dolphin Street," "My Funny Valentine" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me."

This is a live recording of Anita O'Day in her mature stage, where you can enjoy her favorite standard numbers. The ending song, "Tea for Two," a recreation of the movie "A Midsummer Night's Dream," is a must-listen.

This is a live recording of Anita O'Day in her mature stage, where you can enjoy her favorite standard numbers. The ending song, "Tea for Two," a recreation of the movie "A Midsummer Night's Dream," is a must-listen.

This is a live recording of Anita O'Day in her mature stage, where you can enjoy her favorite standard numbers. The ending song, "Tea for Two," a recreation of the movie "A Midsummer Night's Dream," is a must-listen.

A combination of three sessions with three different small backing groups available currently on a Japanese CD - this is an early revealing example of Anita O'Day's growth as a jazz artist since her days as a big band thrush. Her virtuosity at fast tempos is right on the dot, and she is fearlessly willing to take wide-open liberties with the melodies. The tune of "The Man I Love," and for instance, is completely taken apart and personalized; you wouldn't even recognize it were it not for the words. O'Day also shows us her vulnerable side in a remarkable on-the-edge performance of "You Don't Know What Love Is," and she gives listeners a rare taste of her songwriting in "Anita's Blues." Barney Kessel and Tal Farlow sit in on guitar on four tracks apiece; the other four are with piano trio. Low-key, modestly produced, this is best heard as directed - in the evening.

When Anita O'Day left Norman Granz and the Verve label, her next major recording stop was her own company, Emily, for which she recorded a number of swinging live LPs. This is the latest of them to be reissued on CD, and while the packaging and liner notes leave a little to be desired, the music itself is classic Anita. This live session from Basin Street West in 1964 includes a number of Anita's personal favorites from that era, including "Get Out of Town," "'S Wonderful," "Street of Dreams" and "Honeysuckle Rose," along with other tunes like the lesser known "Try Your Wings."

This album is very similar to "The Essential Anita O'Day - Basin Street West 1964" on the Emily label. It is from the same stream of gigs and may even be a different set recorded on the same day. Anita is in absolutely top form. Her performance is excellent. However the quality of the recording is fairly poor; it sounds tinny and Anita's voice has a pronounced echo on many tracks. The recording was likely something that Anita and/or John Poole recorded themselves to review the performance (especially since it is being issued by Poole's wife and son). If you can handle the sound quality, you'll get some top notch Anita.

This album is very similar to "The Essential Anita O'Day - Basin Street West 1964" on the Emily label. It is from the same stream of gigs and may even be a different set recorded on the same day. Anita is in absolutely top form. Her performance is excellent. However the quality of the recording is fairly poor; it sounds tinny and Anita's voice has a pronounced echo on many tracks. The recording was likely something that Anita and/or John Poole recorded themselves to review the performance (especially since it is being issued by Poole's wife and son). If you can handle the sound quality, you'll get some top notch Anita.

This album is very similar to "The Essential Anita O'Day - Basin Street West 1964" on the Emily label. It is from the same stream of gigs and may even be a different set recorded on the same day. Anita is in absolutely top form. Her performance is excellent. However the quality of the recording is fairly poor; it sounds tinny and Anita's voice has a pronounced echo on many tracks. The recording was likely something that Anita and/or John Poole recorded themselves to review the performance (especially since it is being issued by Poole's wife and son). If you can handle the sound quality, you'll get some top notch Anita.