Carmen McRae The Great American Songbook (2 LP)

Limited Edition 180g Audiophile Vinyl Double LP!
Remastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering!
This gem of an album was recorded live at Donte's Club in Los Angeles on November 6, 1971 for Atlantic Records. The engineer managed to capture not only the energy from the live performance, but the richness of the ensemble backing McRae. If you love hearing some of the best songs from the Great American Songbook performed by a master songstress this album will delight you.
This album is a gem and one of my favorite McRae albums. It is a live recording for Atlantic Records at Donte's Club in Los Angeles on November 6, 1971 and was released the following year. What I love so much about it is not only the selection of songs, but also the tonal quality and the performance itself. This set contains not only established standards from Ellington, Cole Porter and the other greats, but also some (then) new material. Recording Burt Bacharach's "They Long To Be Close To You" was, in my opinion, a wise decision. The song deserves the status of a standard. Of course, there is also the obligatory Billie Holiday song, which for McRae was part of each of her performances. On this album is "I Cried For You", one of Billie's first recordings from 1936.
The sound quality is excellent. The sound engineer has not only managed to capture the energy of the live recording, but also the richness of detail of McRae's background ensemble. In fact, the selected musicians fit perfectly with the pieces: Jimmy Rowles on piano (who wrote "Ballad" for Thelonious Monk), Joe Pass on guitar, Chuck Domanico on bass and Chuck Flores on drums.
Anyone who likes to hear some of the best songs from the Great American Songbook masterfully interpreted will be delighted by this record. There is a group cohesion on this album that deserves respect, both in terms of the production team and the performing artists. Interestingly, McRae and her ensemble recorded 32 songs over the course of the night of this recording. One can only speculate why no Volume II was released. Nevertheless, in my opinion, this is one of Carmen McRae's best live recordings. - Mike Tarrani

Features:

• Limited Edition
• 180g Audiophile Vinyl
• Double LP
• Remastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering
• Gatefold Jacket

Musicians:

• Carmen McRae, vocals, piano (A3, D3)
• Joe Pass, guitar
• Jimy Rowles, piano
• Chuck Domanico, bass
• Chuck Flores, drums

Selections:

Side A
Introduction
1. Satin Doll
2. At Long Last Love
3. If The Moon Turns Green
4. Day By Day
5. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
Side B
1. I Only Have Eyes For You
2. Medley: Easy Living / Days of Wine & Roses / It's Impossible
3. Sunday
Side C
Introduction
1. A Song For You
2. I Cried For You Now It's Your Turn To Cry Over Me
Introduction
3. Behind The Face
Introduction
4. The Ballad Of Thelonious Monk
5. There's No Such Thing As Love
Side D
Introduction
1. They Long To Be Close To You
2. Three Little Words
Introduction
3. Mr. Ugly
4. It's Like Reaching For The Moon
5. I Thought About You

Recorded live at Donte's, Los Angeles, California, November 6, 1971.