1944

Recorded at a time when was performing regularly at downtown and sitting in at uptown, these two dozen tracks represent the heart of her 1944 artistic output as documented by on the record label bearing his own name. The opening piano solos are exceptionally fine and the sides are exquisitely rendered using a front line of trumpeter , trombonist , and clarinetist . With and working alongside her, presided over this little band in the creation of a beautiful , two , and a bounce with group vocal. One additional track from this session, involving only the rhythm section, was issued under the same heading as . Three more piano solos -- a , a slow drag, and a delicious treatment of -- were recorded in April of this fruitful year. A few weeks later, accompanied vocalist as she sang a domestic embellished with scat syllables. Four tracks recorded on June 5, 1944, were released by . This was a slightly expanded, reconstituted septet now featuring tenor saxophonist and trumpeter . The mood established by the / composition exquisitely conveys the sense of a wartime society in transition so peculiar to the mid-'40s. This ethereal tide also flows into an oddly bifurcated version of its halves weirdly separated here by an upbeat stomp called The only rationale for reissuing the tracks in this order -- with placed first and interrupting the mood before -- is that the effect is something like a film soundtrack laid over contrasting scenes, with maybe a reprise of the earlier theme bringing the "plot" full circle. In any case, the music is excellent. waxed six sides with bassist in August of 1944, beginning with solid renditions of two of 's most enduring melodies, Both are delightful and sings a plea in a minor key for "a kiss and a hug." This wonderful trio session wraps up most inventively with an version of And the disc itself closes with two comparatively brassy (with a much different sound quality than those rusty old sides!) featuring trumpeter , guitarist , bassist , and shuffle/ drummer . It is an exhilarating finish for this outstanding album of vintage recordings by our lady of the fine piano and solid arrangements, . ~ arwulf arwulf