How I would have loved to wander the fictional streets of late 1950’s Jazzville after sunset. On a whim I’d walk into a hip little bar, or a stylish nightclub. While listening to the sound of chattering and clinking glass, a group of musicians enter the stage. The songstress and her small ensemble alternate between Torch Songs, understated Cool Jazz and assorted delights in that ballpark. The deep, slow and haunting Misty and ‘Round Midnight type of repertoire. Yet another obvious case of false nostalgia (see Anemoia), and as always before, music is to blame.
All the talent that has slipped through the cracks has always been Dream Weapons’ raison d'être. But it’s also a little saddening to think about. Maybe you know the names of a couple of the singers or bandleaders here, but they are mostly long forgotten and virtually unheard (Helen Merrill is an exception, but not this song). Yet to me the ten songs presented here are all perfect tens - and every tune sound like a classic -Moahaha
1 Fran Jeffries - Out of This World, 1960
2 Herb Geller - Silver Rain, 1954
3 Lynn Taylor - Wandering Heart, 1958
4 Bob Cooper - Sunset, 1955
5 Helen Merrill - It's A Lazy Afternoon, 1957
6 Metropolitan Jazz Quartet - Night Song, 1958
7 Lu Ann Simms - The End of the Line, 1952
8 Johnny Eaton - The Lamp is Low, 1957
9 Cora Lee Day - My Crying Hour, 1960
10 The Marty Paich Octet - Jacqueline, 1956
11 Debby Moore - Come On Home to Me, 1959
12 The Brothers Candoli - It Never Entered My Mind, 1957
13 Dorothy Dandridge - The Touch Of Your Lips, 1958
14 Jack Montrose With Bob Gordon - April's Fool, 1955
15 Donna Brooks - Full Moon and Empty Arms, 1956
16 Paul Quinichette - Tropical Intrigue, 1955
17 The Lewis Sisters - Just Friends, 1959
18 Terry Gibbs - Memories of You, 1957
19 Pinky Winters - Cool Sazerac, 1954
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