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