Back To The Blues

Dinah Washington

SKU: PPANSR25189

Barcode: 5060149622407

34.00 £34.00
  • Genre: Jazz
  • Label: Pure Pleasure
  • Released Date: 24th June 2016
  • Buying Format:
    180g 1LP
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Re-mastering by: Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London

Prior to her 1959 hit “What a Difference a Day Makes,” nearly every Dinah Washington recording (no matter what the style) was of interest to jazz listeners. However, after her unexpected success on the pop charts, most of Washington’s sessions for Mercury and Roulette during the last four years of her life were quite commercial, with string arrangements better suited to country singers and Washington nearly parodying herself with exaggerated gestures. Fortunately, this 1963 LP is an exception, a blues-oriented collection that features Washington returning to her roots, backed by a jazz-oriented big band (with occasional strings and background voices). Eddie Chamblee and Illinois Jacquet have some tenor solos, guitarist Billy Butler is heard from, and the trumpet soloist is probably Joe Newman. In general, this is a more successful date than Washington’s earlier investigation of Bessie Smith material, since the backup band is more sympathetic and the talented singer is heard in prime form. Dinah Washington clearly had a real feeling for this bluesy material.
Scott Yannow/AMG

Although she was one of the most powerful and moving of the jazz singers, Dinah Washington suffered more than most from unimaginative and erratic backings. Many of her EmArcy recordings, notably those with Clifford Brown or Clark Terry on trumpet, had outstanding performances, but her collections were compromised by unsuitable accompaniment. This set of 12 blues gives a lop-sided picture in that it doesn’t include any of her ballad performances. However, the basic big band settings allow the power and verve of her singing to come through, and confirm her as the best of the women singers with blues material. During the 1950s she had been regarded as an R&B performer but arranger and band-leader Fred Norman wrote these fine 1962 jazz settings for her shortly before her death. The material is strong and Washington soars and swings, her voice reaching many of the potent climaxes for which she was so highly regarded. The material runs through much of the traditional repertoire–Big Bill Broonzy, Leroy Carr and Lil Green being represented–and there is a nine-minute “Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning” that is unique in her discography. –Steve Voce

Personnel: Dinah Washington, vocals and featuring (collective personnel):
Illinois Jacquet, Eddie Chamblee, tenor saxophone / Jack Wilson, Patti Bown, piano / Jimmy Sigler, organ / Everett Barksdale, Billy Butler, guitar / George Duvivier, bass / Jimmy Thomas, Osie Johnson, drums.

Arranged and conducted by Fred Norman
Produced by Henry Glover
Recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York, March – November 1962

Arranged and conducted by Fred Norman
Recorded July & November 1962

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Track Listings

Side A :
1. The Blues Ain't Nothin' But A Woman Cryin' For Her Man
2. Romance In The Dark
3.You've Been A Good Old Wagon
4.Let Me Be The First To Know
5.How Long, How Long Blues
6.Don't Come Running Back To Me

Side B:
1. It's A Mean Old Man's World
2. Key To The Highway
3. If I Never Get To Heaven
4. Duck Before You Drown
5. No Hard Feelings
6. Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning

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