COMPOSERS: Various
LABELS: Capitol Jazz
ALBUM TITLE: June Christy
PERFORMER: June Christy (v); orchestra/Pete Rugolo
CATALOGUE NO: 5 34069 2
A vocal classic that presents the original mono version of the album from 1953-4 followed by the stereo version from 1960, crucially preserving the running order of the tracks which made it into one of the first ‘concept’ albums.
The four-minute title track that deals with a bar-room pickup, alcoholism and staring into the abyss of despair is Christy’s great achievement as a jazz singer; from such unlikely material she made her audiences see the world through the character in her song and the album, against everyone’s expectations, was a hit. It still remains an impressive achievement. SN