Rich and classy soulful/R&B voices start the year off from UK based AVID…
Ernestine Anderson walked the tightrope of pop/R&B/jazz throughout her career, making her name early with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Her earliest from 1956 in a classy mood on “Love For Sale” and “You Better Go Now”. Her next album focuses on torch songs, as on “My Foolish Heart” and a bluey “ I Cried For You”. She’s classy and sophisticated next time around, on “Serenade In Blue” and “Have You Forgotten”, with her followup release at her blues-iest, ranging from “Just A Sittin and A Rockin’ “ and a harrowing “Harlem Nocturne”. Polished tones.
Unfortunately overlooked these days, Dee Clark was one of the most popular R&B singers in the early days of rock, with a rich clean voice on hits like “Raindrops” and “(Hey) Little Girl”. Unlike most artists of the day who relied on hit singles, Clark put together an impressive album catalogue. His 1959 debut includes an elegant “Whispering Grass” as well as a rocking “Seven Nights” . Next year’s release included the celebrative “The Convention” as well as a couple upscale standards like “A Foggy Day and “Moonlight In Vermont”. His third release has him rollicking on the irresistible “Kangaroo Hop” and “Gloria” as well as taking on classics like ”What’d I Say” and “Baby What Do You Want Me To Do”. Last but not least is his self-produced release, reminiscent of contemporaries Sam Cooke and Clyde McPhatter, with some lush strings framing a gorgeous “Portrait” with a muscular read of “Cupid”. How’d we miss this guy?