Product Description
Full title: That Old Black Magic: The Harold Arlen Songbook.
Personnel: Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet); Blossom Dearie (vocals, piano); Earl Brown , Ella Fitzgerald, Ernestine Anderson, George Becker, Frances Faye, Gilda Maiken, Ruth Olay, Helen Merrill, Bill Brown, Margaret Whiting, Mel Tormé, Morgana King, Anita O'Day, Stuff Smith, Billy Daniels, Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan (vocals); John Collins, Howard Roberts , Al Hendrickson, Barney Kessel, Barry Galbraith, Mundell Lowe (guitar); Edgar Lustgarten (cello); Jerome Richardson (flute, clarinet); Bud Shank (flute, alto saxophone); John LaPorta (clarinet); Danny Bank (bass clarinet); Frank Wess, Marshall Royal, Art Pepper, Ted Nash (alto saxophone); Frank Foster , Bill Perkins, Billy Mitchell (tenor saxophone); Bill Hood, Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophone); Joe Newman , Al Porcino, Snooky Young, Stu Williamson , Thad Jones, Nick Travis (trumpet); Vincent DeRosa (French horn); Milt Bernhart, Frank Rosolino, George Roberts , Henry Coker, Joe Bennett, Al Grey, Benny Powell (trombone); Si Zentner (bass trombone); Red Callender (tuba); Hank Jones , Harvey Leonard, Paul Andrew Smith, Marty Paich, Paul Smith , Red Mitchell, Benny Payne, Bobby Tucker (piano); Terry Gibbs (vibraphone); Ed Thigpen, Ralph Pollack, Joe Morello, Larry Bunker, Lee Young, Mel Lewis, Alvin Stoller, Charlie Persip (drums).
Liner Note Author: Edward Jablonski.
Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (07/14/1952-12/15/1960); Los Angeles, CA (07/14/1952-12/15/1960); New York, NY (07/14/1952-12/15/1960); Nola Recording Studios (07/14/1952-12/15/1960); Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA (07/14/1952-12/15/1960); Uni (07/14/1952-12/15/1960).
Photographer: Paul J. Hoeffler.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Hal Mooney Orchestra; Skylarks; Billy May Orchestra.
Arrangers: Gil Evans; Hal Mooney; Marty Paich; Pete Rugolo; Russell Garcia ; Bill Mays; Billy May.
A late entry in Verve's celebrated songbook series, which has featured the likes of Porter, Gershwin, Rogers & Hart, and Johnny Mercer in the past, That Old Black Magic spotlights the considerable talents of Broadway and Hollywood songsmith Harold Arlen. While best known for "Over the Rainbow," Arlen's rich store of quality songs also includes "Get Happy," "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues," "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)," "It's Only a Paper Moon," and "That Old Black Magic"; add to this stellar list relatively overlooked treasures like "Out of This World," "Down With Love," "A Sleepin' Bee," "When the Sun Comes Out," and "Last Night When We Were Young." Compiler Bobby Short (who, of course, is a celebrated standards singer in his own right) has paired these and other Arlen classics with a diverse array of top-notch interpreters of popular song. Taking in performances from 1952-1960, the 16 numbers here include performances by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Anita O'Day, Mel Tormé, and Blossom Dearie. Thankfully, Short has also chosen to include interpretations by the somewhat obscure likes of Frances Faye, Margaret Whiting, Frank D'Rone, Ruth Olay, and Billy Daniels. A treat for the Arlen fan looking for more than just the everyday roundup featuring another A-list of jazz and pop voices. ~ Stephen Cook
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