June Christy Something Cool CD

One Mono/One Stereo Version

Personnel includes: June Christy (vocals); Pete Rugolo (arranger, conductor); Bud Shank (alto saxophone, flute); Ted Nash, Bob Cooper (tenor saxophone, flute); Jimmy Giuffre (tenor saxophone); Chuck Gentry, Johnny Rotella (baritone saxophone); Paul Horn, Buddy Collette (reeds); Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Zito, Conte Candoli (trumpet); Vince DeRosa (French horn); Paul Sarmento (tuba); Milt Bernhart, Herbie Harper, Tommy Pederson, Harry Betts, Frank Rosolino (trombone); George Roberts (bass trombone); Geoff Clarkson, Russ Freeman, Paul Smith, Claude Williamson (piano); Barney Kessel, Howard Roberts, Jack Marshall (guitar); Joe Confort, Joe Mondragon (bass); Frank Carlson, Shelly Manne, Larry Bunker (drums).
Producer: Lee Gillette.
Recorded at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, California in 1953-54.
In 1960, June Christy and arranger Pete Rugulo re-recorded the original mono 1955 SOMETHING COOL arrangements in stereo. This 2001 remastered edition contains both versions.
Personnel: June Christy (vocals); Jack Marshall, Tony Rizzi, Barney Kessel (guitar); Harry Klee, Bud Shank (flute, alto flute, alto saxophone); Gus Bivona (flute, alto saxophone); Ted Nash, Bob Cooper (flute, tenor saxophone); Paul Horn, Buddy Collette (reeds); Willie Schwartz, Skeets Herfurt (alto saxophone); Fred Falensby, Jimmy Giuffre (tenor saxophone); John Rotella, Bob Gordon (baritone saxophone); Uan Rasey, Conrad Gozzo, Conte Candoli, Frank Beach, Jimmy Zito, Maynard Ferguson, Ray Linn, Ray Triscari, Shorty Rogers, Ollie Mitchell (trumpet); John Graas, Vincent DeRosa (French horn); Dick Reynolds, Frank Rosolino, Harry Betts, Herbie Harper, Nick Dimaio, Tommy Pederson (trombone); Dick Noel, George Roberts (bass trombone); Phil Stephens (tuba); Claude Williamson, Geoff Clarkson, Joe Castro , Paul Smith , Russ Freeman (piano); Frank Carlson, Larry Bunker, Alvin Stoller, Shelly Manne (drums).
Audio Remixer: Ron McMaster.
Liner Note Author: Will Friedwald.
Recording information: Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA (1953-1955).
Arranger: Pete Rugolo.
June Christy's SOMETHING COOL, originally released as a 10-inch LP in 1954. single-handedly inaugurated the cool-jazz vocals movement. Christy had been a star vocalist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the late '40s, enjoying such major hits as "Tampico" and "Shoo Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy." Soon after she left the band, she began working with key Kenton arranger Pete Rugolo and a slew of top West Coast studio musicians (including her husband, tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper) on her first solo album for Capitol Records. The result was SOMETHING COOL, which is both a winning showcase for Christy's wistful style and a landmark of cool-jazz modernism. From the start, Christy established herself as an artist who strove for the very best in song selection, arrangements, and notably intelligent interpretation. There were perhaps other vocalists with greater vocal equipment but few could match June Christy's artistic integrity. The celebrated title track is the soliloquy of a female barfly of a certain age, reminiscing (and fantasizing) about better days to a fellow male patron who just might buy her another drink. It remains Christy's signature performance to this day. Other highlights include a swinging "It Could Happen To You," "Midnight Sun," and an ambitious arrangement of Kurt Weill's "Lonely House."
June Christy's classic Something Cool has been expanded from 11 songs to 24 on this essential CD with two unreleased cuts and six songs only previously out as singles. Christy's attractive "cool" tone was a trademark of jazz in the 1950s, her version of "Something Cool" remains a classic, and many of the other numbers are nearly as memorable. Accompanied by Pete Rugolo's Orchestra, Christy is heard at her best on such numbers as "Whee Baby," "You're Making Me Crazy," "Midnight Sun," "A Stranger Called the Blues," "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise,"Q (2/02, pp.120-1) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Fascinating..."