Search - Ethel Waters :: 1931-34

Classic, but mannered jazz performances

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 11/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This volume, gathering music from the years of Ethel Water's greatest commercial success, features her working with some of the top talent of the day, from Duke Ellington and Bunny Berigan to up-and-coming white swingsters like Benny Goodman and the Dorsey Brothers (who were still working mainly as session players...) Although she hits some sweet grooves on several songs, for the most part Waters sounds mannered and intentionally camp on most tracks, with plenty of odd vocal swoops and exaggerated, haughty-taughty enunciation. She covers a lot of great songs of the day, such as "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Stormy Weather" and an early version of "Heat Wave." But generally speaking, she doesn't exactly cut loose on the material the way other singers would. Humorous classy/crude contrasts were her schtick, but sound pretty dated now. Unless you're in the mood for kitschy, antiquated performances and old-fashioned Gramophone ambience, this disc may be hard to get into. Her jibes at Mae West in the break of "Come Up And See Me Sometime" are pretty funny, though."