Peggy Lee was quite busy in the 1950s. Three of her four marriages took place at least partly in that decade. She released more than a dozen albums on Decca and Capitol. She made many television appearances, and she had roles in several films, including Pete Kelly’s Blues and Lady And The Tramp, both of which came out in 1955. Somehow in that same year she found the time for a few recording sessions for World Program Service, which provided original content for radio syndication. For those sessions, she chose mostly standards, songs she and the musicians had been performing on their nightclub dates. Among the musicians who accompany her on these recordings are Gene DiNvoi on piano, Bill Pitman on guitar, Peter Candoli on trumpet, Jack Costanzo on percussion, Stella Castellucci on harp. The rest of the band is uncertain, as apparently they weren’t keeping careful track of that sort of thing back then. World Broadcast Recordings (1955) Volume 1 is the first volume in what is intended to be a series of records that will include every track she recorded at these sessions. It is going to be released on July 17th, as part of the Record Store Day celebration, and is offered in a beautiful translucent pink vinyl. The tracks have been remastered, and they sound really good.
Side One
The album gets off to a great start with “It’s A Good Day,” a song that Peggy Lee had included on a single in the mid-1940s. The opening lines, “When I woke up this morning, I was feeling all wrong/Couldn’t find any reason for a happy song,” are ones we can relate to. We’ve had days like that, haven’t we? Particularly during this pandemic. But of course, Peggy Lee won’t let us dwell in that space, and this song soon kicks in to become a delightful, fast-paced gem. There is a great deal of cheer, with lines like “And it’s a good day for losing the blues” and “So take a deep breath, and throw away the pills.” There is such a bright energy to her vocal performance, which drives the song. And the band is right there with her, sharing the positive vibes. That’s followed by “That Old Black Magic,” which has a delicious rhythm and some interesting changes too. Peggy Lee’s voice is the focus. Sometimes it seems she is at her best when singing about love. “In a spin, loving that spin I’m in/Under that old black magic called love.” She slows things down then with a beautiful rendition of “Autumn In New York.” I love hearing her voice supported by piano. She delivers an excellent performance, holding us spellbound as she sings “Autumn in York/Is often mingled with pain.”
Peggy Lee then brings us up again with “I May Be Wrong (But I Think You’re Wonderful),” a more cheerful song that has a playful sense, heard in lines like “All of your shirts are unsightly/All of your ties are a crime.” And then there is the harp, which gives the track a touch of magic. She also gives us a really good version of “I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues.” I love the way she holds onto the first syllable of “river” in the line “Down around the river,” stretching it out just a bit more than many other renditions. It is interesting that after she hits the word “misery,” there is a pretty swell on harp, which to me is the opposite of misery. It is like she is trying to fight off the misery, even as she sings about it. That’s followed by a fun rendition of “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” featuring some good work on guitar toward the end. The first side of the record concludes with “What Is This Thing Called Love?” It has a strong, intoxicating rhythm. And what a vocal performance; it has vigor, yet also betrays a vulnerable side.
Side Two
The second side opens with a delightful rendition of “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive,” and she totally sells it, her heart clearly completely in it. When she sings “You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximum,” it feels that she is trying to do just that with her voice, and succeeding. The song provides a good message for us in these troubling days. That’s followed by “Me,” with Peggy Lee getting some wonderful support on piano. And I especially love that work on trumpet, those moments standing out. “People Will Say We’re In Love” is one of the album’s best tracks, with Peggy Lee sounding absolutely adorable. That’s followed by “What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry?” This track features a great lead on guitar.
Peggy Lee can hold us rapt, as she does at the beginning of “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning.” And she seems to know it, and once she has us, she lets the song kick in. I love how this version has moments that are nearly delicate, and then big, joyful moments. This is an excellent rendition of the song from Oklahoma! “All the sounds of the earth are like music/The breeze is so busy, it don’t miss a tree.” That’s followed by “Taking A Chance On Love,” an endearing joy in her voice, which can’t help but affect us. Doesn’t this track make you want to fall in love with the entire world? The record concludes with a fantastic rendition of “Bye Bye Blackbird,” which is gloriously sad and beautiful, especially as she sings, “No one here can love or understand me.” Then there is that specific moment toward the end when happiness takes over, one of the reasons this rendition is better than most I’ve heard. This is one of my personal favorite tracks.
Vinyl Track List
Side One
- It’s A Good Day
- That Old Black Magic
- Autumn In New York
- I May Be Wrong (But I Think You’re Wonderful)
- I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
- I Get A Kick Out Of You
- What Is This Thing Called Love?
Side Two
- A-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
- Me
- People Will Say We’re In Love
- What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry?
- Oh, What A Beautiful Morning
- Taking A Chance On Love
- Bye Bye Blackbird
World Broadcasting Recordings (1955) Volume 1 is scheduled to be released on July 17, 2021 (the second of two Record Store Days) through Org Music. It is limited to 1,500 copies.
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