Search - Diahann Carroll :: This Is What I Call Love

Diahann Carroll Sings Harold Arlen Songs, Plus... (Her 1955-

Caesar M. Warrington | Lansdowne, PA United States | 11/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1954's Otto Preminger film CARMEN JONES as well as the Harold Arlen/Truman Capote musical HOUSE Of FLOWERS proved that Diahann Carroll had a voice to go along with the pretty face. One of those who took notice of the 19 year old beauty was recording giant RCA Victor.



By 1956 Diahann Carroll recorded 18 songs for RCA: six were put out on singles, while the remaining 12, all Harold Arlen numbers, were released on an LP, appropriately titled DIAHANN CARROLL SINGS HAROLD ARLEN SONGS. These are the 18 songs included here on THIS IS WHAT I CALL LOVE.



Tracks 1-6 are the singles' sides from 1955-1956. Backed by Joe Reisman and his Orchestra, they showcase Diahann experimenting with styles such as jazz and swing and even belting out a blues or two. Although these three singles didn't get much chart success back then, they've stood the test of time and could hold their own with many of the female vocal hits from that time.



Tracks 7-18 are the songs from the 1956 "Harold Arlen" album (this CD also uses the original LP cover for its booklet), with Ralph Burns and his Orchestra in the background. Half of them ("My Shining Hour," "Out Of This World," "Hit the Road to Dreamland," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "I Wonder What Became of Me," "Let's Take the Long Way Home") have lyrics penned by Johnny Mercer. One of the tracks, "A Sleeping Bee," was written by Truman Capote for the aforementioned HOUSE Of FLOWERS.



To see Diahann's earliest recordings put together for the first time on one collection is a treat. The UK label Flare has done an excellent job with this CD."