TEDDI'S EARLY ALBUMS ARE A DELIGHT!
A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 08/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those who appreciate songbirds with class and individuality who failed in their attempts to spread their wings beyond respectful clientele in clubs etc, Teddi King (1929-1977) was a skilful interpreter of standards during the Fifties. Flare Records has done followers of such rare vocal technique a favour by combining two Storyville albums which reveal how well Teddi could weave her magic to slow-paced spellbinding effect. Recorded after hours at the Storyville Club in Boston in November 1953, IT NEVER ENTERED MY MIND, WHAT'S NEW? `ROUND MIDNIGHT and others are offered with simple piano accompaniment by Beryl Booker with any loss of sound quality balanced by atmospheric ambiance.
On Teddi's second album, recorded the following year, she was backed by a quartet headed by Ruby Braff and Jimmy Jones who upped the tempo occasionally with I SAW STARS and LOVE IS HERE TO STAY. Celebrated ballads I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO CHANGE MY PLAN and I THE TALK OF THE TOWN are joined by less familiar material and retain the moody romantic theme. Teddi's relaxed intimacy and sincerity are well used to stunning effect throughout.
The remaining eleven tracks are 1955-57 singles aimed towards commercial popularity, with Teddi's approach suitably more robust when accompanied by large orchestras, especially for A LOT IN COMMON and I WAS A CHILD TILL TONIGHT. Both Broadway's MR WONDERFUL title number and MARRIED I CAN ALWAYS GET from Gordon Jenkins' MANHATTAN SUITE found singular favour with many girl singers and Teddi's versions must have held their own within such crowded choices. Overall, this compilation is a treat for anyone interested in the Fifties generally and rare songbirds in particular.
"
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1