Personnel:

Lucy Ann Polk (vcl), Don Fagerquist (tp), Ray Sims, Dick Noel (tb), Dave Pell, Ronny Lang (saxes), Marty Paich, Claude Williamson (p), Tony Rizzi, Howard Roberts (g), Buddy Clark, Ralph Peña (b), Mel Lewis, Jack Sperling (d), Shorty Rogers (arr)

Includes 20-page booklet with session details, rare photos, memorabilia and extensive liner notes.

Having gained considerable experience as the top singer with some of the biggest name bands in the country, Lucy Ann Polk (1927-2011) decided to quit the road after four successful years with the Les Brown band. Voted Best Girl Band Vocalist in Down Beat magazines Readers Poll for four years in a row (1951-1954), she settled in her Los Angeles home, with her husband, trombonist Dick Noel. From then on she worked on casual singing TV and radio engagements, and appeared in several live performances mainly with the Dave Pell Octet.

She had acquired a mature style of her own, much admired by both public and musicians. Her voice was not the penetrating instrument of other leading vocalists, but she was a warm and swinging singer. As these sides make abundantly clear, she found her own freedom, away from the constraints of the band setting, in singing backed by small groups like Pells octet or Marty Paichs sextet and quartet. An independent soul, she was a lovely and talented singer, tellingly described by Les Browns trumpeter and arranger Wes Hensel as one of the grooviest people who ever walked this earth.

TRACKLIST:

01. Sitting in the Sun (Levey-Webb-Witmark) 2:48

02. How About You (Lane Freed) 1:42

03. Im Just a Lucky So and So (David-Ellington) 3:50

04. Squeeze Me (Williams-Waller) 2:48

05. When the Sun Comes Out (Koehler-Arlen) 3:03

06. Makin Whoopee (Donaldson-Kahn) 2:50

07. Don Cha Go Way Mad (Mundy-Stillman) 2:25

08. Just A-Sittin and A-Rockin (Strayhorn-Ellington) 3:21

09. Memphis in June (Webster-Carmichael) 2:37

10. Time After Time (Styne-Kahn) 2:15

11. Easy Living (Robin-Rainger) 3:17

12. Looking at You (Cole Porter) 2:37

13. But Beautiful (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:15

14. Swinging on a Star (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:33

15. Its Always You (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:27

16. Arent You Glad Youre You (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:08

17. It Could Happen to You (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:17

18. Darn That Dream (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:45

19. Imagination (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:40

20. Polka Dots and Moonbeams (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:25

21. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (Barris-Koehler-Moll) 2:13

22. Memphis in June (Webster-Carmichael) 2:55

Original sources:

Tracks #1-12, from the Mode album "Lucky Lucy Ann" (MOD LP #115)

Tracks #13-20, from the Trend 10" album "Lucy Ann Polk, with Dave Pell Octet" (TL 1008)

Tracks #21-22, are bonus tracks

Personnel:

Lucy Ann Polk, vocals, accompanied by:

Tracks #1-12, THE MARTY PAICH SEXTET:

Dick Noel (tb), Bob Hardaway (ts), Marty Paich (p, arr), Tony Rizzi (g), Buddy Clark (b), Mel Lewis (d).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, July 12, 1957

Tracks #13-20, THE DAVE PELL OCTET:

Don Fagerquist (tp), Ray Sims (tb), Dave Pell (ts, Engh), Ronny Lang (fl, as, bs), Claude Williamson (p), Tony Rizzi (g), Rolly Bundock (b), Jack Sperling (d). Arrangements: Shorty Rogers (#13,14,17 & 19) and Wes Hensel (#15,16,18 & 20).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, December, 18 & 28, 1953

Tracks #21-22, THE MARTY PAICH QUARTET:

Marty Paich (p), Howard Roberts (g), Ralph Peña (b), Frank de Vito (d).

Recorded at ABC Studios, Stars of Jazz TV-show, Hollywood, August 6, 1956

Original recordings produced by Red Clyde (#1-12), Albert Marx (#13-20), and Jimmie Baker (#21 & 22).

Sound Engineers: Dayton Bones Howe (#1-12); Val Valentin (#13-20); Chuck Lewis (#21 & 22).

This CD compilation produced by Jordi Pujol

24-Bit · Digitally Remastered