Cailee Frances

Fans of female vocalists of the '50s inevitably bemoan the lack of respect given to one of the true greats. Frances Faye, like Peggy Lee, was a dishy, somewhat off-kilter blonde who could scribble out a mean tune when the mood hit her. She was actually a recording presence in the decades prior, writing and co-writing songs that were recorded by herself and other artists such as the Andrews Sisters all through the late '30s and '40s.

Frances Faye (1912-1991) was an underrated singer, gay icon and pioneer whose air of wild, emotional excitement continually generated inspiration. Not only did this excitement suffuse her records, it also filled her night club performances and her private life.

Frances Faye was a spirited middle-of-the-road pop/cabaret singer. During 1955-1957 she was one of Bethlehem's few non-jazz artists although being with that label resulted in her interacting with veteran jazz musicians. In 1957 when it looked like folk music was going to be the next big trend (it would be, but not until the early '60s), she recorded a set of traditional melodies while accompanied by brass and string orchestra arranged by Russ Garcia that included West Coast jazz players (including Maynard Ferguson, Don Fagerquist, and Frank Rosolino). Faye was not the most subtle of singers but she sounds quite expressive on such numbers as "Frankie and Johnny," "St. James Infirmary," "John Henry," a variety of ancient folk songs, and even "Clementine." Five previously unreleased alternate takes round out this intriguing program.

Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater was extremely popular throughout Europe soon after it was composed in 1736. Countless printed and handwritten versions of this work, which was considered the stylistic ideal of sacred music in the 18th century, can be found in libraries all over the world. There are five manuscript copies of the Stabat Mater in the archives of Málaga Cathedral. This recording presents a version performed when Juan Francés de Iribarren was chapel master there. He did not copy the work exactly, but created a revision with substantial changes. Also included in the recording are some of Iribarren’s own works.

This 1955 album was also known by the title Bad, Bad Frances Faye when it was first reissued in the 1970s. Faye interprets these standards accompanied by an orchestra conducted by talented arranger Russell Garcia, featuring sidemen Maynard Ferguson, Herbie Harper, Frank Rosolino and Mel Lewis, among others.