KELLY SMITH - Keely Swings Basie-Style With Strings (2002) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The swing revival was custom made for singers like Keely Smith. Keely Swings Basie Style...With Strings follows 2000's Swing, Swing, Swing and 2001's Grammy-nominated Keely Sings Sinatra, capping off a trilogy of lovingly performed classic jazz. Smith's backward glance, however, isn't just pure nostalgia. Keely Swings Basie Style, for instance, begins with Count Basie-style arrangements and then applies them to a number of songs not necessarily associated with the bandleader. The addition of strings provides another distinctive layer. Smith begins with "April in Paris" and brings her warm vocals to bear on a number of other classics, including "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe" and "How High the Moon." There's a particularly lovely take on "Mood Indigo" and a bouncy version of "Cherokee (Indian Love Song)." Smith balances these standards with spry contemporary fare like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and "Can't Take My Eyes off of You." The closing number offers something of a surprise, beginning with "The House I Live In" and then flowing into "Star Spangled Banner," ending the album on a patriotic note. The combination of tasteful arrangements, good song choices, and Smith's pleasing vocals guarantees that fans will warmly embrace Keely Swings Basie Style. by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Tracklist :
1.Intro-Voice Over: April in Paris 0:32
[Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg]
2.April in Paris 3:04
[Duke, Harburg]
3.You Go to My Head 5:36
[Gillespie / Coots]
4.How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) 4:04
[Lamont Dozier / Brian Holland / Eddie Holland]
5.Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe 4:17
[Holland / Lamont]
6.Lover 3:42
[Arlen / Harburg]
7.How High the Moon 4:43
[Hamilton / Lewis]
8.I Can't Stop Loving You 4:39
[Gibson]
9.Cherokee (Indian Love Song) 2:52
[Noble]
10.Mood Indigo 5:02
[Bigard / Ellington / Mills]
11.Some of These Days 3:00
[Brooks]
12.Love For Sale 5:23
[Porter]
13.One For My Baby (And One More For the Road) 4:09
[Arlen / Mercer]
14.Can't Take My Eyes Off of You 3:27
[Crewe / Gaudio]
15.St. Louis Blues 3:23
[W.C. Handy]
16.Take the 'A' Train 5:01
[Billy Strayhorn]
17.The House I Live In / Star Spangled Banner
[Lewis Allan / Earl Robinson / Francis Scott Key / John Stafford Smith]
18.Tag-Voice Over: April in Paris 0:35
[Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg]
Personnel:
Keely Smith - Vocals
Pete Christlieb - Tenor Saxophone
Wayne Bergeron, Andy Martin, Lanny Morgan - Alto Saxophone
Jim Self - Tuba
Pete Candoli - Trumpet
Don Menza - Arranger, Tenor Saxophone
Sal Lozano, Carl Saunders, Chauncey Welsch - Trombone
Frank Szabo, Kirk Smith - Bass
Bob Efford - Baritone Saxophone
Dennis Michaels - Leader, Arranger, Piano
Frank Collet - Arranger, Piano
Bryant Beyers - Bass Trombone
Steve Barnes - Drums