Clifford Brown Dinah Washington

Not quite as fine as Sarah Vaughan's Compact Jazz disc, this roundup still nicely frames Dinah Washington's stay at the label with a fetching array of her best cuts from the '50s and early '60s. Taking in some of Washington's best-known pop songs ("What a Difference a Day Makes"), the disc touches on her excellent Fats Waller ("Keepin' out of Mischief Now") and Bessie Smith ("Backwater Blues") songbooks, while also including something from a fiery live date with Clifford Brown ("I've Got You Under My Skin"). And this is not to forget a handful of finely gauged readings of such perennials as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Easy Living," and "I Could Write a Book." Topped off with fine support by a bevy of top players, Compact Jazz: Dinah Washington makes for the ideal introductory disc.

Dinah Washington was known as the essential rhythm & blues singer of her time, but only Sarah Vaughan eclipsed her in terms of jazz ballad artistry. This collection of torch songs, taken from her recordings on the Mercury and EmArcy labels, is evidence enough of her status as "the Queen." Arrangements by Quincy Jones, Ernie Wilkins, and Fred Norman in big band or small group sessions are quite attractive and complement her distinctive voice. Six are with string arrangements and two with vocal group backup (the Dells,) but every cut is a quintessential. Great soloists like Clifford Brown, Al Cohn, Kai Winding, Cannonball Adderley, and Clark Terry are included in this set, the best songs being "Since I Fell for You," "Willow Weep for Me," "Stardust," "More Than You Know," "Unforgettable," and "Goodbye."

Dinah Washington was at once one of the most beloved and controversial singers of the mid-20th century - beloved to her fans, devotees, and fellow singers; controversial to critics who still accuse her of selling out her art to commerce and bad taste. Her principal sin, apparently, was to cultivate a distinctive vocal style that was at home in all kinds of music, be it R&B, blues, jazz, middle of the road pop - and she probably would have made a fine gospel or country singer had she the time. Hers was a gritty, salty, high-pitched voice, marked by absolute clarity of diction and clipped, bluesy phrasing. Washington's personal life was turbulent, with seven marriages behind her, and her interpretations showed it, for she displayed a tough, totally unsentimental, yet still gripping hold on the universal subject of lost love…

Clifford Brown - Brownie: The Complete EmArcy Recordings of Clifford Brown (1989) {10CD + bonus CD Box Set rec 1954-1956}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.80 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.39 Gb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 158 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1954-56, 1989 EmArcy / Nippon Phonogram | 838 307-2~838 316-2 / 874 788-3
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Trumpet

Although undoubtedly an expensive acquisition, this ten-CD set is perfectly done and contains dozens of gems. The remarkable but short-lived trumpeter Clifford Brown has the second half of his career fully documented (other than his final performance) and he is showcased in a wide variety of settings. The bulk of the numbers are of Brownie's quintet with co-leader and drummer Max Roach, either Harold Land or Sonny Rollins on tenor, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow (including some previously unheard alternate takes), but there is also much more.

Dinah Washington - Dinah Jams (1954) {EmArcy 814 639-2 rel 2009
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 274 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 147 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 41 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1954, 2009 EmArcy / PolyGram | 814 639-2 | US Remaster
Jazz / Vocal Jazz / Bebop / Jazz Blues

Recorded at the start of Dinah Washington's climb to fame, 1954's Dinah Jams was taped live in front of a studio audience in Los Angeles. While Washington is in top form throughout, effortlessly working her powerful, blues-based voice on both ballads and swingers, the cast of star soloists almost steals the show.

In line with the series' after-hours policy, the Clifford Brown edition of Jazz 'Round Midnight features the trumpeter on a series of ballads and easy strolling swingers of the highest quality. This, of course, is fortuitous for any fan of Brown's work, considering one gets to really hear his stellar and rich tone in these spacious settings. And he's always in command, whether with arranger Neil Hefti and a string orchestra ("Laura"), supporting vocalists Sarah Vaughan ("Lullaby of Birdland") and Dinah Washington ("No More"), or in the combo he co-led with drummer Max Roach ("Land's End"). A fine choice for the jazz newcomer wary of the more frenetic side of the music.

The Jazz Club series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With it's modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the Jazz Club is not only opened for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music.