Ballad Essentials (1999)

About this title: In 1999, Concord Jazz launched its Ballad Essentials series with this superb Carmen McRae collection, which spans 1980-1987. The influential singer recorded for Concord on four occasions; after teaming up with George Shearing for 1980's Two for the Road and joining forces with Cal Tjader on 1982's Heat Wave, McRae paid tribute to Nat "King" Cole on 1983's You're Lookin' at Me and visited Long Beach, CA, for 1987's excellent Fine and Mellow: Live at Birdland West. The only track that's out of place on this CD is "Fine and Mellow," which is a 12-bar blues instead of a ballad. True, McRae is ... read more

Tracks:

1. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You [Crosby/Washington]
2. These Foolish Things [Marvell/Strachey/Li]
3. Come in out of the Rain [Russell/Sigman]
4. The Visit [Lins/Martins/Neves]
5. More Than You Know [Eliscu/Rose/Youmans]
6. Until the Real Thing Comes Along [Cahn/Chaplin/Holine]
7. You're Looking at Me [Troup]
8. Too Late Now [Lane/Lerner]
9. If I Had You [Campbell/Connelly]
10. Besame Mucho [Velazquez/Skylar]
11. If I Should Lose You [Rainger/Robin]
12. Fine and Mellow [Holiday]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.