JO STAFFORD — Jo + Jazz (1960-1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The closest Stafford ever came to being a jazz singer. This early '60s release had instrumental touches and a jazz tone, and Stafford sang with more energy and less gimmickry. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) 2:57
Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines
2     For You 2:55
Joe Burke / Al Dubin
3     Midnight Sun 4:37
Sonny Burke / Lionel Hampton / Johnny Mercer
4     You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To 3:23
Cole Porter
5     The Folks Who Live on the Hill 3:32
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
6     I Didn't Know About You 3:30
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
7     (What Can I Say) After I Say I'm Sorry? 3:08
Walter Donaldson / Abe Lyman
8     Dream of You 2:47
Jimmie Lunceford / Michael Morales
9     Imagination 3:49
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
10     S'posin' 2:48
Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf
11     Day Dream 4:27
Duke Ellington / John Latouche / Billy Strayhorn
12     I've Got the World on a String 3:38
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
Credits :
Saxophone – Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster
Arranged By – Johnny Mandel
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Jimmy Rowles, Russ Freeman
Trumpet – Conte Candoli, Don Fagerquist, Ray Nance
Vocals – Jo Stafford 

CHET BAKER & BUD SHANK — Theme Music from "The James Dean Story" (1958-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

West coast cool purveyors Chet Baker (trumpet) and Bud Shank team up to provide the incidental soundtrack to The James Dean Story (1958). Granted, the biopic was presumably made to cash in on the actor's untimely demise, but movie buffs also recognize it as one of director Robert Altman's earliest features. The score was written by Leith Stevens, who had previously worked on Private Hell 36 (1954), The Wild One (1954), and the Oscar-winning sci-fi classic Destination Moon (1950). Those credentials may have gotten Stevens the gig, but his contributions remain somewhat of a double-edged sword. Neither Baker, Shank, nor any of the other post-bop luminaries in the makeshift ensemble are able to transcend or expound upon the arguably limiting melodies, such as the hopelessly dated and unintentionally kitschy "Hollywood." That shouldn't suggest that this title is a complete washout, thanks in part to another Tinsel Town-related maestro, Johnny Mandel, whose moody, exploratory "The Search" and understated noir of "Success and Then What?" stand as exemplary. One of Stevens' more affective selections is the ballad "Let Me Be Loved." Perhaps by design, it is noticeably reminiscent of Baker's unofficial theme song, "My Funny Valentine," and is easily the most poignant performance on the platter. Otherwise, the vast majority of the material is little more than ersatz-cool filler, bearing little distinction. From a historical perspective, this seems almost criminal, especially in light of the inordinate talent corralled for the project. Potential consumers and Baker enthusiasts should note that the 1958 Pacific Jazz long player did not include the rare vocal version of "Let Me Be Loved." Lindsay Planer 
Tracklist : 
1. Jimmy's Theme 2:49
 Leith Stevens 
2. The Search 4:44
 Leith Stevens  
3. Lost Love 3:35
 Leith Stevens 
4. People 3:32
 Bob Merrill / Leith Stevens / Jule Styne 
5. The Movie Star 3:32
 Leith Stevens 
6. Fairmont, Indiana 4:30
 Leith Stevens 
7. Rebel At Work 3:41
 Leith Stevens 
8. Success And Then What? 3:53
 Leith Stevens 
9. Let Me Be Loved 4:08
Written-By – Livingston-Evans
10. Hollywood 5:02
 Leith Stevens 
11. Let Me Be Loved (Vocal Version) 2:13
Vocals – Chet Baker
Written-By – J. Livingston / R. Evans
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Charlie Mariano (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 to 11), Herbie Steward
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 11)
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6, 8 to 11)
Bass – Monte Budwig
Bongos – Mike Pacheco (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6, 8 to 11)
Drums – Mel Lewis
Flute – Don Fagerquist (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6, 8 to 11)
Orchestrated By, Arranged By, Conductor – Bill Holman (tracks: 3 to 6, 9, 11), Johnny Mandel (tracks: 1, 2, 8)
Piano – Claude Williamson
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Holman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11), Richie Kamuca (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6, 8 to 11)
Trombone – Milt Bernhart (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6, 8 to 11)
Trumpet – Chet Baker, Ray Linn (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6, 8 to 1

GENE KRUPA AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1945 | The Chronogical Classics – 1143 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gene Krupa's recordings for a four-month period are traced on this CD in the Classics "complete" series. The first eight formerly rare selections feature the Gene Krupa Trio with the extroverted (and sometimes too enthusiastic) tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura and pianist George Walters; three of the numbers were originally V-discs, three others were not released until the LP era, and the two remaining songs have never been out before. In addition, there are 15 numbers from the Gene Krupa Big Band. The returning Anita O'Day (who gave Krupa new hits in "Opus No. 1," "Boogie Blues," and "Chickery Chick") and ballad singer Buddy Stewart are on all but "It's Up to You" and "Lover." Among the soloists are trumpeter Don Fagerquist and Ventura. The 1945 Gene Krupa Orchestra did not catch on to the level of the 1941-1942 edition, but it definitely had its moments.  Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :