Betty Carter - Little Susie - Music & Performance - CD

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This compilation is, indeed, a good way to meet the extraordinary vocal talents of Betty Carter and the elegant, versatile swing of pianist Ray Bryant. The CD comprises a 1955 release -- Carter and Bryant's first under their own names -- and a 1959 trio date from Bryant. The earlier set alternates between tracks with Carter and the Bryant trio and others with just the trio. Later in her career, Carter would move toward a more avant-garde approach. Here, while far from unconventional, Carter uses her unique gifts to make a set of familiar songs her own. Her transformative reinterpretations of six standards result in versions that some will be tempted to consider definitive. Bryant and the trio provide tasteful, classy, discreet backup. Moving into the spotlight on the trio tracks, Bryant and company play with engaging swing and finesse. There is also a very good flutist, possibly Jerome Richardson, on a couple of the tracks with Carter. Little Susie, from 1959, provides a reliable sampling of Bryant's abilities in settings that cover the soul-jazz of the title track, blues, and boppish standards. The only letdown is a superfluous rendition of "Greensleeves." ("If I Can Just Make It Into Heaven," from the original Columbia release, does not appear here.) Backed by his brother Tommy Bryant on bass, and Eddie Locke and Gus Johnson alternating on drums, Bryant unfurls his deceptively easygoing virtuosity in performances that ably display his supple technique and joyous command of the keyboard. ~ Jim Todd, All Music Guide

Performer	Betty Carter
Music genre	Jazz
Music subgenre	CD - JAZZ
Music release type	Release
Media format	CD
Edition	Standard
Has parental advisory label	N
Series title	Carter/Bryant - Meet Betty Carter & Ray Bryant [CD]
Track listing	Sneaking Around - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Moonlight in Vermont - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, What Is This Thing Called Love - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Thou Swell - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Willow Weep for Me - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, I Could Write a Book - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Threesome - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Gone Wih the Wind - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Old Devil Moon - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, The Way You Look Tonight - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, No Moon at All - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Can't We Be Friends - Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Little Susie - Ray Bryant Trio, By Myself - Ray Bryant Trio, Blues for Norine - Ray Bryant Trio, Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed - Ray Bryant Trio, Big Buddy - Ray Bryant Trio, Willow Weep for Me - Ray Bryant Trio, Greensleeves - Ray Bryant Trio, So in Love - Ray Bryant Trio, Misty - Ray Bryant Trio
Record label	Collectables
Music media format	CD
Is edited	N
Is enhanced	N