This 3 disc set hopefully sets the record straight on the strength and versatility of vocalist Keely Smith’s career. Recently departed, she never seemed to be considered in the top echelon of vocalists like Holiday, Fitzgerald or Vaughn, nor in the second tier with Lee, Christy or O’Day. Maybe because she was usually associated with the big band of Louis Prima, and did a number of jivey novelty tunes, but as this collection of her recordings from 49-62 demonstrate, she covered the waterfront of styles and was on a par with Sinatra, who even does a few duets with her on this important set.
Smith had the gift of having excellent clarity, strong emotion and an irresistible sense of swing. She used it in settings that are a simple gas, as on her duets with Prima on “I Beeped When I Should Have Bopped” and “Barnacle Bill the Sailor” from her post WWII recordings with Prima’s bopping big band. With Billy May’s extroverted orchestra, she teams with a 1958 Sinatra for “Nothing in Common and “How Ya Fixed For Love,” and the two play off each other very well. Her late 50s sessions with Prima include the big hits “That Old Black Magic,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” which are simply irresistible, and show off Smith’s perfect mix of style and substance.
The big surprise for those not familiar with Smith is her ability to burn a torch, and she does it superbly under Nelson Riddle’s baton. 1958 reads of “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “The Man I Love” and “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” are wonderful bel canto arias, and on a par with any other singer of the time. You’re going to have a blast with this one, attracted initially by the fun novelties, but coming back for the veritas.