The Great American Songbook -- 2 Remastered CD Set
Nancy Wilson
2005 Blue Note Records
One of three excellent Nancy Wilson compilations issued simultaneously by Capitol Jazz in 2005, THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK cherry-picks from the many standards that the pop/jazz vocalist recorded for the label between 1959 and '69. Here the often-underrated singer, who delicately balances emotion and clear enunciation, works with ensembles both large and small, and her various collaborators include conductor Billy May, saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, bassist Ron Carter, and pianists George Shearing, Hank Jones, and Joe Zawinul.
Just a few highlights of this collection are a rollicking big-band rendition of "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," a sauntering take on the Harold Arlen/Truman Capote-penned "Sleepin' Bee," and a gorgeously minimal version of "In a Sentimental Mood," which showcases Wilson's mellifluous voice. Although Wilson truly shines in a small-group setting, she can capably front an orchestra, as revealed on "It Never Entered My Mind" and other numbers. With 44 tracks that boast beautifully remastered sound, this well-compiled two-disc set should help to deservedly raise Wilson's profile.
DISC ONE
1 All of You -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
2 The Things We Did Last Summer -- with The George Shearing Quintet
3 The More I See You -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
4 The Nearness of You -- with The George Shearing Quintet
5 Never Will I Marry -- with The Cannonball Addereley Quintet
6 What A Little Moonlight Can Do -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
7 Little Girl Blue -- orchestrated and conducted by Milt Raskin
-- orchestra including string choir arranged by George Shearing
8 Tonight -- arranged by Jimmy Jones
9 Sometimes I'm Happy -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
10 Secret Love -- arranged and conducted by Jimmy Jones
11 A Sleepin' Bee -- with The Cannonball Adderley Quintet
12 Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
13 On The Street Where You Live -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
14 You Don't Know What Love Is -- orchestrated and conducted by Milt Raskin
-- orchestra including string choir arranged by George Shearing
15 This Time The Dream's on Me -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
16 Sophisticated Lady -- orchestrated and conducted by Milt Raskin
-- orchestra including string choir arranged by George Shearing
17 Dearly Beloved-- arranged and conducted by Jimmy Jones
18 My Ship -- arranged by Jimmy Jones
19 My Shining Hour -- arranged and conducted by Jimmy Jones
20 I'm Gonna Laugh You Out of My Life -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
21 Back In Your Own Backyard -- orchestrated and conducted by Milt Raskin
-- orchestra including string choir arranged by George Shearing
22 People Will Say We're In Love -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
DISC TWO
1 Bewitched -- arranged and conducted by Gerald Wilson
2 Try A Little Tenderness -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
3 At Long Last Love -- arranged and conducted by Sid Feller
4 In A Sentimental Mood -- with The Hank Jones Quartet
5 When The Sun Comes Out -- arranged and conducted by Jimmy Jones
6 I Thought About You -- with The Hank Jones Quartet
7 Darn That Dream -- with The Hank Jones Quartet
8 The Very Thought of You -- arranged and conducted by Gerald Wilson
9 Like Someone In Love -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
10 Angel Eyes -- arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson
11 My One And Only Love -- arranged and conducted by Sid Feller
12 The Song Is You -- arranged and conducted by Gerald Wilson
13 Lush Life -- arranged and conducted by Billy May
14 It Never Entered My Mind -- arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson
15 Prelude To A Kiss -- with The Hank Jones Quartet
16 By Myself -- arranged and conducted by Dave Cavanaugh
17 Glad To Be Unhappy -- with The Hank Jones Quartet
18 Time After Time -- arranged and conducted by Sid Feller
19 Hello Dolly -- arranged and conducted by Sid Feller
20 Supper Time -- with The Hank Jones Quartet
21 Someone To Watch Over Me -- arranged and conducted by Gerald Wilson
22 You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To -- arranged and conducted by Jimmy Jones