Solid!

Mildred Bailey

The Rockin' Chair Lady (1931-1950)

MCA

Mildred Bailey's voice was one of the sweetest jazz instruments ever recorded. Smooth and high-pitched, she could wrap herself around a tune like few others could. She took her cue from contemporary black female jazz singers, and those who heard her on radio or recordings were often surprised to learn that she was white.

The Rockin' Chair Lady is a collection of recordings Mildred Bailey made for Decca between 1931, her departure from Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, and 1950, her death. None of the tracks feature her work with husband Red Norvo but focus instead on her recordings with other artists. The first four tracks were made in 1935 with her backing quartet, the Alley Cats, which featured jazz greats Bunny Berigan and Johnny Hodges, and give a more intimate view of her style. The rest of the CD was recorded with full orchestra, including the famous Casa Loma Orchestra and long-time Andrews Sisters' musical director Vic Schoen's outfit. Notable are such songs as ''Rockin' Chair,'' a Hoagy Carmichael number introduced by Mildred which became her theme song, ''When That Man Is Dead and Gone,'' a patriotic Irving Berlin number about Adolph Hitler, and the dark, ironic ''Jenny.'' Much of Mildred's work consisted of ballads sung in her calm, easy-going style. Familiar numbers like ''Georgia on My Mind,'' ''Sometimes I'm Happy,'' and ''When It's Sleepy Time Down South'' come across in a much more wistful manner than they have with any other singer. The Schoen sessions, the last two numbers on the CD, are also interesting, as they're some of the last recordings that Mildred made before her death. Her voice, more gravelly than before, mixes quite well Schoen's lush jazz arrangements, producing an interesting contrast to the rest of the CD.

Definitely a great disc. You can't go wrong with Mildred Bailey.

Track Listing

• 1. Willow Tree
• 2. Honeysuckle Rose
• 3. Squeeze Me
• 4. Down-Hearted Blues
• 5. Blues in My Heart
• 6. You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love)
• 7. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
• 8. Wrap You Troubles in Dreams
• 9. When That Man is Dead and Gone
• 10. Jenny
• 11. Georgia on My Mind
• 12. Rockin' Chair
• 13. Sometimes I'm Happy
• 14. Ev'rything Depends on You
• 15. Lover, Come Back to Me
• 16. All Too Soon
• 17. It's So Peaceful in the Country
• 18. More Than You Know
• 19. Cry, Cry, Cry
• 20. Blue Prelude