I make no apologies for once again mentioning Chris Connor, not least because of the number of friends who say to me "Never heard of her". Then again, Chris never made any impact on the charts or had a very high profile outside of the cognescenti yet those I know who have only just discovered her all remark on the quality of her singing. Quality was what epitomised Chris Connor and, sadly, quality doesn't always mean popular success.Also, in the Kenton hierarchy, she followed Anita O' Day and June Christy - two very hard acts to follow! Yet to my ears she lost nothing by comparision.
On the one occasion when I heard her live - at the 1983 North Sea Jazz Festival, accompanied by a trio, she was brilliant. The following year, at the same festival, June Christy, fronting a west coast line-up of Shorty, Perkins, Coop, Shank and the rest of the gang, was but a shadow of her former self. Even as late as the 1990s Chris was still performing close to her peak.
Looking at the program for that 1983 festival at Den Haag I note the line-up is given as CC (vcl), her longtime partner Lorraine Muscarelle (vcl), Russell Kassoff (pno), Richard Sarpola (bs), Anthony Tedesco (dms). I cannot recall there being another vocalist and, for some reason I didn't photograph her or the rhythm section - only Chris. Perhaps I only had eyes for Chris!
Listening to her Gershwin Almanac on Spotify - I was absolutely knocked out by "For You, For Me, For Evermore." They don't come any better than that and they didn't come any better than Chris.
Lance.
11 comments :
Somehow or other I cannot get the free version of Spotify, so maybe you could send a link of Chris singing that number please Lance. I remember Mel Tormé singing it & haven't listened to it for years. What an amazingly deep voice she had, it seemed to get lower as she grew older...certainly a fine artist. I just wish I had appreciated her years ago but somehow she escaped me.
Liz
I'll try...
Lovely version, thank you so much, what control, and a superb guitar accompaniment.
Liz
The guitarist is one of Roly's faves - Barry Galbraith.
Well that's a measure of Roly's impeccable taste
Liz
I'm in total agreement about Chris Connor's wonderful singing style, and my favourite album of hers was an Atlantic called "A Jazz Date With Chris Connor", with British pianist Ralph Sharon (before he joined Tony Bennett) and Oscar Pettiford on bass. In fact Oscar gets a name-check on "Everything I've Got (Belongs To You") when Chris sings, "Ive got the only disc where Oscar flubs a note . . .". Great stuff, total class. Dave The Rave (Take It To The Bridge)
01 September 2009 14:22
I have been a Chris Connor fan for 9 years. I collect her music and memorabilia and have some live performances not available commercially. Am seeking any photos of Chris with the Jerry Wald and Claude THornhill bands. I especially enjoy Chris on Pennies From Heaven w/Jerry Wald and Jeepers Creepers w/Stan Kenton. Am saddened by her passing, but she will ALWAYS live on in our hearts with her music.
04 September 2009 22:11
Chris recorded for Bethlehem records after leaving Kenton in the early 1950's. Her versions of Gone with the Wind, The thrill is gone and What is there to say are still among my favourites.
I'm gradually working my way through the Jazz CD section at the Lit & Phil, & on your recommendation have borrowed the Gershwin almanac. She does have a lovely voice. In contrast, the 'Cool Christy' album, I find rather bland.
She did melancholy as well - boy did she do melancholy. Check out "Ballads of the Sad Cafe".
There is a fine Chris Connor CD in Gateshead Library, "As Time Goes By", which does not seem to be on spotify. Recorded in 1991 Chris is accompanied by the Hank Jones Trio, with the excellent George Mraz on Bass, singing some nice standards.
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