If you’ve ever even HEARD of vocalist Joanie Sommers, it’s because of that stupid pop song from the 60s she did, and I even hate to prejudice you by telling you what it was…”Johnny Get Angry” !! Please hear me out!! Before she went pop she put out a handful of incredibly hot jazz albums with arrangements and orchestras lead by Marty Paich, Tommy Oliver, Neal Hefti and Bob Florence. Getting a bit more forgiving? How about orchestras that include…(drum roll)…Art Pepper, Buddy Collette, Ted Nash, Conte/Pete Condoli, Jimmy Rowles, Mel Lewis, Jack Sheldon, Red Callender, Frank Rosolino and Bud Shank? Are we friends yet?
Obviously, none of this would mean anything if she couldn’t carry a tune. Let me tell ya- on this two disc set of sessions from 1959-61 she’s got a voice that melds the bop of an Anita O’Day but with the emotion and energy of a Dinah Washington. You’re not going to believe she can dance with a swinging ditty like “I Like the Likes of You” or “That Old Devil Moon” and make it sound fresh and vibrant. Her take of “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” is going to make your head spin, and she coos with the best on “Just Squeeze Me.” Whether it’s a show tune like “A Wonderful Guy” or a novelty such as “Hard Hearted Hannah” the mix of bel canto, humor and joi de voi is infectious. The lightness and subtlety of Paich’s arrangements on material like “Round Midnight” and “Hey Jealous Lover” serve as spicy dressings for her fresh and crisp meld of delicious flavors. The pre-rock tone in her voice gives away that a style like this will never come again as almost all modern singers have been infected to some extant with the yeast of rock and indie groaning. Listen to what real singing actually can achieve! You’ll fall in love with jazz vocals again. Get it NOW NOW NOW!!!