Just when you thought you’ve heard every female singer from the 1950s, here comes Fresh Sound Records with another rare find.
I’ve tried to find info on this lady Pat Healy (1927-2020), but outside of the liner notes from this one disc set, there is next to NOTHING available. What I can tell you is that she has voice and delivery a bit like Chris Connor and June Christy, a bit husky, and able to fit into a variety of settings, which she does here on an album having her backed by single piano, trio, quartet and orchestra. She wears everything well!
The recordings are culled from studio recordings and TV shows. Of the latter, she’s clear and relaxed with a trio including Paul Bley/p and Charlie Haden/b on “The Siren Song” and “I Wish I Were In Love Again”, while teamed only with pianist Joe Mario, she is fun on “They All Laughed”. There’s a dash of Rosemary Clooney in her when she’s backed by a full orchestra that includes Paul Horn/as, Gerald Wiggins/p, John Pisano/g and Chico Hamilton/dr (!) for “Isn’t It A Pity” and is intimate and luscious on “Easy Come” and “Every Time” in a quartet with Marino, Howard Roberts/g, Richard Von Holberg/b and Shelly Manne”. She sounds completely comfortable in her own skin, and is more authoritative than 90% of what you hear in today’s vocalists. Check this one out!