Artist: Carmen McRae
Album: Carmen McRae
Genre: Jazz
Release Date: 1954/2014
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24 bit, 96 kHz
Duration: 22:15
Total Tracks: 8
Total Size: 334 MB

Tracklist:

01. Carmen McRae – Born to Dance: Easy To Love (02:24)
02. Carmen McRae – If I’m Lucky (03:14)
03. Carmen McRae – Old Devil Moon (02:36)
04. Carmen McRae – Tip Toe Gently (02:38)
05. Carmen McRae – You Made Me Care (02:09)
06. Carmen McRae – Last Time For Love (03:04)
07. Carmen McRae – Misery (03:51)
08. Carmen McRae – Too Much in Love to Care (02:17)

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Carmen McRae’s debut was recorded in 1954, the same year she was awarded the title Best New Female Vocalist by DownBeat magazine. Accompanied by an all-star line up of musicians including Herbie Mann on flute and tenor saxophone, Wendell Marshall on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums, this auspicious debut set up the rest of McRae’s successful career which would see her record more than 60 albums, garner multiple Grammy nominations and appear in films and on television.This CD reissue has Carmen McRae’s first recordings as a leader. McRae is heard on four songs apiece with the Mat Mathews quintet (a group including Herbie Mann on flute and tenor and guitarist Mundell Lowe) and clarinetist Tony Scott’s quartet. On the emotional “Misery” Tony Scott switches to piano and is the only accompanist to the singer. Five alternate takes augment this set which emphasizes ballads. Overall the music is pleasing but not too memorable and one wishes there were more variety. –AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow