Helen Humes – Songs I Like to Sing
Vocals – Helen Humes
Drums – Shelly Manne [click here to see more vinyl featuring Shelly Manne]
Bass - Leroy Vinnegar
Piano – André Previn
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Art Pepper (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6) [click here to see more vinyl featuring Art Pepper]
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster [click here to see more vinyl featuring Ben Webster]
Tenor Saxophone – Teddy Edwards (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6)
Baritone Saxophone – Bill Hood (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6)
Cello – Eleanor Slatkin (A1, A4, B2, B5)
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Trombone – Bob Fitzpatrick (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6), Harry Betts (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6)
Trumpet – Al Porcino (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6), Jack Sheldon (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6), Ray Triscari (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6), Stu Williamson (A2-3, A5 to B1, B3-4, B6)
Viola – Alvin Dinkin (A1, A4, B2, B5)
Violin – James Getzoff (A1, A4, B2, B5), Joseph Stepansky (A1, A4, B2, B5)
Arranged and conducted by Marty Paich
Written by Henry Creamer (A1), James P. Johnson (A1), Rube Bloom (A2, Ted Koehler (A2), Fred E. Ahlert (A3), Roy Turk (A3), Abner Silver (A4), Al Lewis (A4), Al Sherman (A4) Harvey Brooks (A5) , W. C. Handy (A6), Walter Donaldson (B1), Arthur Johnson (B2), Sam Coslow (B2), Helen Humes (B3), Gus Kahn (B3), Walter Donaldson (B4), Johnny Burke & Jimmy Van Heusen (B5), Sam H. Stept (B6), Sidney Clare (B6)
1 LP, standard sleeve printed by Stoughton Printing
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180 g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12’’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Craft Recordings – Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series
Original Label : Contemporary Records
Recorded at Contemporary's Studio in September 6&7, 1960 (A2-3, A5-6, B1, B3-4, B6) and September 8, 1960 (A1, A4, B2, B5)
Engineered by Howard Holzer
Original session produced by Lester Koenig
Remastered by Bernie Grundman
Reissue produced by Chad Kassem
Liner Notes by Lester Koenig
Photography by William Claxton
Originally released in 1961
Reissued in November 2024
Tracks :
Side A :
- If I Could Be with You
- Don't Worry 'Bout Me
- Mean to Me
- Every Now and Then
- I Want a Roof Over My Head
- St. Louis Blues
Side B :
- You're Driving Me Crazy
- My Old Flame
- Million Dollar Secret
- Love Me or Leave Me
- Imagination
- Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Reviews :
“One of the high points of Helen Humes' career, tis Contemporary set (reissued on CD) features superior songs, superb backup, and very suitable and swinging arrangements by Marty Paich. Humes' versions of "If I Could Be With You," "You're Driving Me Crazy," and "Million Dollar Secret," in particular, are definitive. On four songs, she is backed by tenor great Ben Webster, a rhythm section, and a string quartet; the other numbers find her joined by a 14-piece band that includes Webster and Teddy Edwards on tenors along with altoist Art Pepper. This classic release is essential and shows just how appealing a singer Helen Humes could be.” AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
Ratings :
AllMusic : 5 / 5 , Discogs : 4 / 5