It is very easy to call this the definitive Barbara Long album (or her
best) because it is the only one she ever made. The obscure singer had a
swinging style and a soft voice whose pitch sometimes wandered a
little. She definitely had an adventurous spirit, starting the date with
a very uptempo "Trolley Song" and stretching herself on some of the
dozen songs. This Savoy reissue from the Japanese Denon label features
Long with a fine backup group that includes trumpeter Billy Howell (who
has an active role), pianist Nat Phipps, bassist George Tucker, drummer
Al Harewood, and (on two songs) the great tenor Booker Ervin. This
sincere effort is worth a few spins. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Trolley Song 2:20
Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin
2 Gee Baby 3:10
Don Redman / Andy Razaf
3 Largo To Oscar 3:32
N. Phipps
4 When You Are Smiling 3:06
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington
5 Call Me Darling 2:23
Mark Fisher / Joe Goodwin / Larry Shay
6 Where Is Lonesome 3:17
N. Phipps
7 Green Dolphin Street 3:10
Bronislau Kaper / Ned Washington
8 You Don't Know What Love Is 4:00
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
9 Serenade 1:45
N. Phipps
10 Squeeze Me 3:14
Thomas "Fats" Waller / Clarence Williams
11 Swan Lake 2:50
Tchaikovsky
12 It's Heaven 4:03
N. Phipps
Credits:
Arranged By, Trumpet – Billy Howell
Bass – George Tucker
Drums – Al Harewood
Piano – Nat Phipps
Tenor Saxophone – Booker Ervin
Vocals – Barbara Long
