Ann Richards, only in her early twenties at the time, had already sung with Charlie Barnet and would always be closely associated with Stan Kenton (whom she married and later divorced). Her life was short, but she did record a few albums as a leader, including this one, her debut. Backed by an unidentified big band conducted by Brian Farnon and arranged by Warren Barker, Richards displays an appealing voice and a swinging style. She was best at this point on upbeat material, so the highlights include "I'm Shooting High," "Poor Little Rich Girl" and "Will You Still Be Mine." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. I'm Shooting High 1:33
Written-By – Jimmy McHugh, Ted Koehler
2. Moanin' Low 5:51
Written-By – Howard Dietz, Ralph Rainger
3. Nightingale 2:39
Written-By – Wise, Rosner, Cougat
4. Blues In My Heart 3:33
Written-By – King Carter, Irving Mills
5. I've Got To Pass Your House To Get To My House 2:46
Written-By – Lew Brown
6. Deep Night 2:39
Written-By – Charlie Henderson, Rudy Vallee
7. Poor Little Rich Girl 2:20
Written-By – Noel Coward
8. Should I 3:02
Written-By – Arthur Freed, Nacio Herb Brown
9. I'm In The Market For You 2:05
Written-By – James F. Hanley, Joseph McCarthy
10. Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder (For Somebody Else) 2:26
Written-By – Warren, Young, Lewis
11. Lullaby Of Broadway 3:02
Written-By – Al Dubin, Harry Warren
12. Will You Still Be Mine? 2:05
Written-By – Matt Dennis, Tom Adair
Credits :
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Warren Barker
Conductor – Brian Farnon
Vocals – Ann Richards
20.3.26
ANN RICHARDS — I'm Shooting High (1958) Vynil, LP | FLAC (tracks), lossless
19.2.25
ANN RICHARDS — Ann, Man! (1961-2002) Collectables Jazz Classics Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Ann Richards, an excellent singer who was married to Stan Kenton for a few years, only recorded a few solo albums before slipping away into obscurity. Ann, Man! is her most intimate date, a quartet set with trumpeter Jack Sheldon, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Red Callender, and drummer Larry Bunker. Four of the songs (including "There's a Lull in My Life" and "You Go to My Head") are duets with Kessel. Richards shows off her versatility and sensitivity on this well-rounded set, swinging lightly and singing with restrained emotions. It is a pity that she did not have a prosperous career, for the talent was definitely there. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Yes Sir That's My Baby 3:22
Written-By – Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
2. An Occasional Man 2:56
Written-By – Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
3. There's A Lull In My Life 3:52
Written-By – Harry Revel, Mack Gordon
4. The Masquerade Is Over 2:20
Written-By – Allie Wrubel, Herb Magidson
5. You Go To My Head
Written-By – Haven Gillespie, Fred Coots
6. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby 2:40
Written-By – Billy Austin, Louis Jordan
7. And That's All 2:54
Written-By – Sister Rosetta Tharpe
8. Bewitched 4:03
Written-By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
9. Evil Gal Blues 4:10
Written-By – Leonard Feather
10. Love Is A Word For The Blues 1:59
Written-By – Dick Hyman, Leonard Feather, Milt Raskin
11. How Do I Look In Blue 2:56
Written-By – Gene Roland, Johnny Richards
12. I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night 3:02
Written-By – Harold Adamson, Jimmy McHugh
Credits:
Bass – Red Callender
Drums – Larry Bunker
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Trumpet – Jack Sheldon
Vocals – Ann Richards 
21.7.21
ANN RICHARDS — The Many Moods Of Ann Richards (1960-2012) RM | Serie 見つめていたい歌姫たち Female Jazz Vocal オリジナル紙ジャケ Collection | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1. By Myself 2:24
Written-By – Arthur Schwartz - Howard Dietz
2. Be Easy, Be Tender 3:35
Written-By – Joe Greene
3. Where Did You Go? (Jordu) 2:34
Written-By – Duke Jordan, Norman Mapp
4. I'm Gonna Laugh 4:25
Written-By – Cy Coleman, Joseph Allen McCarthy
5. I Gotta Have You 2:18
Written-By – Arnold Horwitt, Richard Lewine
6. Lazy Afternoon 4:12
Written-By – Jerome Morass, John Latouche
7. Something's Coming 2:48
Written-By – Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim
8. Everytime 3:28
Written-By – Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
9. When The Sun Comes Out 3:17
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
10. Poor Little Extra Girl 3:04
Written-By – Mel Torme
11. Seasons Reasons 3:04
Written-By – Joe Greene
12. I'm Late 1:24
Written-By – Bob Hilliard, Sammy Fain
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor – Bill Holman (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12), Ralph Carmichael (tracks: 4, 8, 10), Tak Shindo (tracks: 6)
Vocals – Ann Richards
+ last month
DZYAN – Mandala (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Better late than never, I suppose, but this live-in-the-studio novelty was too long overdue, released almost forty years after it was record...
