Search - Lola Albright :: Soft Sounds

Kinda Classy.

Des Francis | Winnipeg, MB CANADA | 10/29/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This double album set -- representing Miss Albright's entire recorded output -- is very pleasing in a subtle, vampy sort of way. Lola was a moderately-successful actress (a very good one, nonetheless) whose main claim to fame was as Peter Gunn's squeeze on the old TV series. She proves herself a very fine singer here; I like her propensity to reach for occasional low notes in the manner of Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan. I also admire her bravery in tackling no fewer than 12 original songs on this set that I doubt had ever been sung before & carrying it off with considerable brio. Her undoubted acting abilities enhance her approach to singing.



I rather prefer the Mancini session, with its 6 vocals of Peter Gunn soundtrack items, but that's not to fault the Dean Elliott set. I thought I knew my Gershwin pretty well, but AREN'T YOU KINDA GLAD WE DID was an amusing surprise.



The notes imply she made some or all of the choices amongst the non-original songs, & she made those choices very intelligently. Female vocal albums with sexual undertones were not uncommon in the Fifties, but Lola carries off these 2 sets with a nice touch of humour that somehow, I think, would elude most contemporary singers. It's not all late-night balladry here either; she & Mancini impart a groove to the old piece JUST YOU, JUST ME that left me replaying that & other tracks several times.



I don't normally evince much interest in vocal recordings, but I've got nothing but respect for Lola. She's in her eighties now & long since retired, but I wish her nothing but the best. Recommended."

Great compilation that we've waited decades for.

thenightfly | usa | 02/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The digital transfer is seamless, it compares favorably to the LP's that I own. I'm glad they finally got around to putting Lola's music back on CD's."