I don’t know where Fresh Sound Records finds these singers, but they bring out some obscure beauties. Connie Russell mixed a career of film, radio and TV along with a sultry singing career. She also was used in overdubbing actresses that delivered a tune, such as Claire Trevor in the 1942 film Crossroads. Here, she’s teamed with a couple orchestras in the late 50s, and uses her husky and come hither voice in excellent form.
You sure can’t argue with the musicians in the bands, which included Karry Klee, Abe Most, Howard Roberts, Frank Rosolino, Mel Lewis and Larry Bunker. Russel delivers a richly exotic and exciting “Caravan” and shadowy “Angel Eyes” while glowing with bedroom eyes on “You’re My Thrill” and “I Wanna Be Loved” on the 1958 session with orchestra and strings.
The smaller band in 1959 swings a bit more, as she saunters across the stage on “Close our Eyes” and “The Touch of Your Lips.” She revisits vaudeville piece “All I Do Is Dream of You” with long eye lashes, and greets you at the door in her Teddy on “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To.” This lady could make dry ice sweat!
Fresh Sound Records