– I can honestly say that I’d never heard of Blossom Dearie. With all my “lounge this” and “jazz that,” my “singer this” and my “American songbook that,” I’d never once listened to this singer …and she impressed the hell out of me. A friend pointed this record out to me a few weeks ago; I bit … and man, am I glad I did. Her voice is very soft and sweet. She’ll remind you very much of the sixties Euro female wave, with singers like Astrud Gilberto & Genevieve Bujold, with a touch of Bossa Nova singer softness. Yet, she’s quite American in her delivery. This record was recorded for Capitol in ’64 and it sounds like it in that “sixties jazz standards” way. She sings the songbook sincerely & elegantly, yet there’s this queer undercurrent of skepticism & intelligence which reminds me of Cole Porter and his been-there-done-that approach to a song. One of the sexiest singers I’ve heard, her cabaret approach to a song is perfect for her song choices on this album. If you’re a deep listener and appreciate a more sophisticated singer, you have to try Blossom. Songs include Quiet Nights, I’m Old Fashioned, When Sunny Gets Blue and more. A Sidecar’s the perfect cocktail for this one.

– You know, critics back in the day compared Vic Damone’s voice to Sinatra’s, and often set Vic’s on a higher shelf. To me, they’re apples & oranges. Sure there’s the Italian connection and the masculine confidence, but I’ll draw the line there. It took me a few years to warm up to Vic’s approach. I guess I wasn’t ready to interpret his straightforward way with a ballad as, actually, an experienced approach to his music. Like Sinatra, the singer had lived this stuff and was simply telling a story he’d lived. When I figured this out, Damone’s music opened up and I “got it.” He’s quite theatrical, but that’s nothing but fun if you let your guard down. This is a great record to put on when you’re having a quiet drink or a Campari & soda with a few close friends. It’s old school, but it’s really not; just a great singer, who was immensely popular in his day, singing about love. What the hell’s wrong with that? Nothing, and it’s nice to be musically reminded that a good singer singing a good song is sometimes all you need. Songs include How Deep Is The Ocean?, I’m Glad There Is You, The Things We Did Last Summer, and more.

Bing Sings the Sinatra Songbook – Not quite what you think it is, this is not an album Bing Crosby recorded to salute his chum. No, this is a collection of songs Sinatra made famous that Bing either sang or took a crack at on his own. Just released by Collectors Choice Music, I was “pleased as punch” (a ‘Bing-ism’) to learn of its release. Bing Crosby is sort of “an acquired taste.” For the uninitiated, it might take you a listen or two to adjust your musical pallet and “get him” in our modern age. This was not always the case; and if you take that into consideration and realize that for decades this man was America’s most popular singer, your Bing discovery will nostalgically unfold in your lap. Soft paced, relaxing, almost therapeutic in his musical assurance, Crosby will sooth you into a soft evening. Do not plan on building a party around this album. Plan on building a nice intimate evening around it. If you’re a Sinatra fan, this is a no-brainer. Bing was Frank’s number one influence. Why not spend a night listening to how the two masters interconnect. Songs include Imagination, The Lady Is A Tramp, Summer Wind and more. Gotta go Old Fashioned as the drink with this.