Volume II in Bloomington, MN

Sue Raney
, who has always had a beautiful voice, first gained some recognition for her work in
jazz
and popular music in the late 1950s. She has been a fixture in Los Angeles ever since, becoming a well-known vocal coach and teacher in addition to continuing her solo career. The second volume of previously unreleased material from
Studio West
features
Raney
in four different settings. Nine selections team her with a quartet led by pianist
Page Cavanaugh
that perfectly fits her singing. Two songs have her joined by
Page 7
(a septet led by
Cavanaugh
), there are five numbers with a quartet co-led by clarinetist
Buddy DeFranco
and accordionist
Tommy Gumina
, and the remaining four selections are with the 1970 version of
Shelly Manne & His Men
. The performances are usually brief but
takes advantage of each moment, stretching her repertoire from
swing
standards
to
the Beatles
"With a Little Help From My Friends"
and
Michel Legrand
's
"Umbrellas of Cherbourg."
Highlights include
"Trouble Is a Man,"
"Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,"
and two versions apiece of
"Breezin' Along With the Breeze"
"'Deed I Do."
Because
has never recorded often enough, this set of rarities is particularly recommended to listeners unfamiliar with the talented singer. ~ Scott Yanow