A SUPERB TRIBUTE
Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 12/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Living Era compilation spans the years 1937-1955, and was issued as a tribute to the singer, who died last year. Whether by accident or design, Goodman had a great roster of female singers, and it was the title song of this compilation which identified Martha Tilton in the public consciousness as one of the most memorable. She had a relaxed singing style, rather like her fellow Texan Jack Teagarden, lagging slightly behind the beat but melding perfectly with the accompaniment. Unlike some female singers where listener fatigue sets in rapidly, her voice goes in the ear like honey (to modify a phrase from Eddie Condon). In addition to the ten Goodman tracks, a further fourteen have been selected with loving care, and the rare Coral recording of "Misirlou" deserves special mention. To sum up, this is a delightful package, embellished with an excellent liner note by trumpeter Digby Fairweather, which can be recommended without reservation"