June Christy's bid to shake some of the frost off her image resulted in these two late-'50s albums. Although the ostensible theme of Gone for the Day is a visit to the outdoors with a lover, the occasional jarring note dro... more »ps--witness the knowing orchestral dissonance on "It's So Peaceful in the Country" and the nod to Christy's bittersweet signature song, "Something Cool," on "When the World Was Young." Only a glib, brassy "Give Me the Simple Life" seems out of place. Fair and Warmer starts on a similar note with "I Want to Be Happy" but soon settles down. Christy's melody-bending performance renders the Jimmy Van Heusen/Johnny Burke "Imagination"'s suggestions of sex as melancholy as Gone's high points, while she takes charge of the situation on Irving Berlin's "Best Thing for You." This disc finds Christy striking close to greatness on a pair of complementary records from an era when the LP was finding its way as a conceptual tool. --Rickey Wright« less
June Christy's bid to shake some of the frost off her image resulted in these two late-'50s albums. Although the ostensible theme of Gone for the Day is a visit to the outdoors with a lover, the occasional jarring note drops--witness the knowing orchestral dissonance on "It's So Peaceful in the Country" and the nod to Christy's bittersweet signature song, "Something Cool," on "When the World Was Young." Only a glib, brassy "Give Me the Simple Life" seems out of place. Fair and Warmer starts on a similar note with "I Want to Be Happy" but soon settles down. Christy's melody-bending performance renders the Jimmy Van Heusen/Johnny Burke "Imagination"'s suggestions of sex as melancholy as Gone's high points, while she takes charge of the situation on Irving Berlin's "Best Thing for You." This disc finds Christy striking close to greatness on a pair of complementary records from an era when the LP was finding its way as a conceptual tool. --Rickey Wright
CD Reviews
Two great albums by an underappreciated singer
artanis65 | Washington, DC | 12/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think that June Christy must have been among the most thoughtful of jazz singers. Along with Sinatra, she was one of the first to grasp the idea of the concept album, a series of thematically related songs that set a mood. "Gone For the Day" is such an album, a set of relaxed tunes about life in the country. She was also fearless in her song choices; on both of these two albums, her knack for finding obscure but excellent songs is demonstrated by the fact that the songs you've heard before are probably outnumbered by the songs you haven't.
"Gone for the Day" is a particular favorite of mine. I really like Pete Rugolo's arrangements. He uses a string section, a full complement of trombones, a flute and a french horn, but no trumpets or saxes, contributing to the quiet mood. June Christy never sang better than on this album. She had a real gift for projecting emotion and melancholy using a restrained and understated style. Perhaps it was her midwestern background that kept everything bubbling just under the surface where you can sense it but not see it. Whatever. It's refreshing, and it's the opposite approach from what most singers use today; unmusical pyrotechnics disguising a hollow core.
Especially good is "When the Sun Comes Out," which is my favorite version of the song I've ever heard. "Gone for the Day" probably wasn't very commercial when it came out in 1957, and it's even less so today, but it is a great listen."
Soft, cool, romantic jazz
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 07/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The late, great, June Christy was the ultimate stylist. June had her limitations, but worked within them to great effect. She was at her best on the soft, romantic numbers, but she was well capable of picking up the tempo when required. June always allowed her musicians their share of the glory - there are nice instrumental breaks here and there, but ultimately it is June's voice that is important.These albums do not represent June's artistic peak (The Misty Miss Christy and Something Cool are generally regarded as her two best, though opinions are divided between them) but the two albums which make up this CD are of an extremely high quality. Most singers never come close to recording albums of this quality, never mind those other two.What you have here (as the two titles suggest) are two albums which are inspired by, and ideal as a background for, those warm summer nights - but you can play them at other times of the year when you want to dream about summer.If you are already familiar with June's music, this twofer will make a wonderful addition to your collection. If not, this is a great place to start - but whether you start here, or with another of June's albums, you may end up buying several of June's albums, just as I did, and you'll wonder why it took you so long to buy that first one."
JUNE IN AUGUST
ALAIN ROBERT | ST-HUBERT,QUÉBEC | 08/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With her limited vocal range,JUNE has made wonders.She was perhaps the worst judge of her own talent.These two albums of 1957 are wonderful to say the least.JUNE has what other singers sometimes lack:a heart and that is the main reason she remains rather unique among the jazz singers of her generation.Notice how she along with her musical director is able to pick the right songs for her.JUNE is a terrific ballad singer ,deeply moving in a most unusual way.Once she takes a particuliar song,she manages most of the time to display a kind of melancolic charm that stays with you a long time.Those songs almost bring us a sort of portrait of the woman.One is inclined to think that the few up tempo numbers in this selection of songs were asked by CAPITOL to help the sells.God bless JUNE CHRISTY!"
June Aglow
ALAIN ROBERT | 10/03/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How thrilling to witness the rediscovery of June Christy by new audiences. When these two LPS first appeared we grabbed 'em and played 'em and heard 'em on the radio and talked about them. They are so great and "Gone For The Day" remains one of the most creatively conceived albums ever. Pete Rugolo's arrangements are singular and June is joyous. "Gone for the Day" originally was to have been titled "Interlude" and that track will knock your socks off. June herself liked "When The Sun Comes Out" and the Four Freshmen picked up on "Love Turns Winter To Spring." A joyous collection."
The crown jewels of June Christy's 1950s recordings!
ALAIN ROBERT | 06/02/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, here they are: simply the two finest albums by perhaps THE finest female singer of 1950s West Coast jazz, June Christy. "Gone for the Day" finds Christy musing on the simple pleasures of country walks, lazy afternoons, and the peaceful countryside. This unusual concept for an album provides Christy with exquisite material for her fully mature voice -- a husky mixture of girl-next-door cheerfulness tempered by a winsome melancholy -- as well as for master arranger Pete Rugolo's imaginative accompaniments. "Fair and Warmer" starts off bouncy and delightful, and slowly mellows into a heartfelt loveletter.Bring the two great albums (on one CD) by June Christy into your home, and you'll listen to them over and over by the hour."
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1