I get SO MANY albums of female so called “jazz vocalists” that I was just about to put a moratorium on reviewing them when this gem from old school charmer Ernestine Anderson came my way. Bless you, Mister Postman!
This session was recorded at a series of shows in Seattle Washington during 1962, when Kennedy was in the White House, Frank was wearing hats, the Yankees were in the Series and The Beverly Hillbillies, The Dick Van Dyke Show and Combat! were the most popular TV shows.
Anderson, who’s still with us at 86, is with the nimble and swingingly sympathetic team of Dick Palombi/p, Chuck Metcalf/b and Bill Richardson/dr and they create moods ranging from late night saloon on “Time After Time” to joyfully strutting on “I’ve Got The World On A String.” Anderson sounds relaxed, confident and completely in charge as she bounces through “You Make Me Feel So Youn” and delivers a nice vibrato on the more upbeat than usual “I Fall In Love Too Easily.” She sounds lush life-like on “Angel Eyes” and then can pop the clutch and bop with the best on the rapid fire “There Will Never Be Another You.” Anderson has that rare quality of knowing how to actually sing a song with respect. If the room were full of the composers she would have received a standing ovation.
High Note Records