ETHEL WATERS – 1946-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1249 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ethel Waters recorded steadily between 1921-1940. By the early '40s she was so involved in acting that she was largely off records for several years. The titles included on 1946-1947 are, with the exception of a set from the late '50s, and a couple of religious-oriented albums in the '60s, Waters' last recordings. At the age of 50, Waters' voice was still in prime form as she shows on these three sessions. She is featured in a septet with trumpeter George Treadwell, guitarist Mary Osborne, and her longtime pianist Reginald Beane. In addition, there are two songs with Herman Chittison, and a dozen in which she is just accompanied by Beane. Among the many highlights are "Cabin in the Sky," "Am I Blue," "Careless Love," "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe," "It's Only a Paper Moon," and "St. Louis Blues." Not everything works, since the version of "Taking a Chance on Love" here is a bit erratic, and "Suppertime" is not too subtle, but overall this is a very rewarding set of the last known recordings of Ethel Waters during her most significant years. Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Taking a Chance on Love 2:59
Vernon Duke / John Latouche
2 Dinah 2:47 
Harry Akst / Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young
3 Man Wanted 3:06 
Leonard Feather
4 You Took My Man  2:49
Leonard Feather
5 Honey in a Hurry 2:56
Leonard Feather
6 Cabin in the Sky 3:00
Vernon Duke / John Latouche
7 Am I Blue 2:49
Harry Akst / Grant Clarke
8 I Shoulda Quit When I Was Ahead 2:46
Leonard Feather
9 Careless Love  3:06
W.C. Handy / Martha E. Koenig / Spencer Williams
10 Blues in My Heart 3:11
Benny Carter / Irving Mills
11 Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe 3:11
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
12 A Hundred Years from Today 3:00
Ned Washington / Joseph Young
13 Throw the Dirt 2:23
14 Summertime 3:05
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
15 Supper Time 3:14
Irving Berlin
16 Little Black Boy 3:17
Unknown Blues Band
17 It Is Only a Paper Moon  2:15
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
18 Can't Help Lovin' That Man 2:31
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
19  St. Louis Blues 2:21 
W.C. Handy
20  Travelin'   2:55
Unknown Blues Band
21 Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child 3:13
Unknown Blues Band / Traditional
22 The Crucificxion 3:09
Unknown Blues Band
Credits:
Everett Barksdale – Guitar
Reginald Beane – Piano, Vocals
Herman Chittison – Piano, Vocals
Dicky Harris – Trombone
J.C. Heard – Drums
Al McKibbon  – Bass
Mary Osborne  –  Guitar
Ray Perry – Sax (Alto), Violin
Carlton Powell  – Bass
George Treadwell  – Trumpet, Vocals
Ethel Waters – Vocals