GREAT GOSPEL FROM A TRUE STARR
Jim Brooks | Aberdeen, Scotland | 06/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The recordings Kay Starr made for RCS between 1955 and 1959 find her in her magnificent vocal prime, her powerful, torchy, soulful and dynamic approach very much in tune with the music of that time. Here we have two very fine examples of her work which sit very comfortably together on one CD.
"Rockin' with Kay" (1958) does indeed rock, as Kay gives her emotional all to a set of contemporary numbers and standards which are, by and large, worthy of her talent, not always the case in her recordings. It's hard to pick out highlights from such a good collection, but I very much like her very bluesy versions of "How Deep is the Ocean" and "Lonesome Road". She's also very fine in the more down-home groove of "Rockin' Chair" and "Lazy Bones". The sound is excellent mono; the solidly competent liner notes don't give away much, but the arrangements and conducting were in the hands of Pete King and Bill Hood; the recordings were made at Capitol's Studio B in 1957 and 1958.
Even better is "I Hear The Word". Kay once told a friend of mine that it was the album she worked hardest on and one of the recordings she was most proud of. Incidentally, the sleeve portrait, a study by her long-time photographer of choice Wally Seawell, was also one of her favourites! She had always included spirituals in her repertoire, and her work in that field makes for fascinating and rewarding listening. She is entirely successful over a range of styles, from the traditional "Down by The Riverside", the driving "Rock-a-my-soul" to the rhythmic, declamatory "Jezebel", ever so slightly tongue-in-cheek, I think!
But every track is a winner from a singer who never disappoints.
"I Hear The Word" was recorded in February 1959, but by the time it was released in 1960, RCA had bought Kay out of her contract and she was back at Capitol. RCA had no motivation to promote the album, so it remains one of her rarest, and this is its first outing on CD. Originally issued in RCA's Living Stereo series, the excellent sound comes up fresh as paint in its present inacarnation.
"Rockin' with Kay" has been available on its own for some time; here, for just one dollar more, it's coupled with the outstanding "I Hear The Word". An absolute must for Starr fans and anyone who appreciates the great, individual song stylists. You just don't get better value for money than this!
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Incredible Gospel!
Richard D. Arnold | Leesburg, VA United States | 02/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been buying the album"I Hear the Word" on Ebay for months - have 5 of them. Her spirituals are the most uplifting I've ever encountered - a unique and wonderful combination of jazz and gospel that will take your heart and soul to new heights. It is, without doubt, the most incredible gospel album ever made. Forget the first half - "I Hear the Word" is all you'll listen to."
Never enough Kay Starr!
J. Lawson | Springfield, MO United States | 07/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Two of Kay's great RCA LP's from the '50's. The first half is great standards as only Kay can sing them. Then, on the second half, it kicks into stereo (we're into 1959 here) as Kay sings spirituals and gospel songs. Sure, the background singers are pretty cheesy, but no one can sell a song like Kay. If she had concentrated on gospel music alone, she'd have been just as big a star, in my opinion. Lots of record labels had their people doing a spiritual album around that time, and Kay seems better suited to the genre than most."
Track Listings (27) - Disc #1