A few Betty Carter records are next on the list. I first heard her – and immediately fell in love with her voice – on the Ray Charles/Betty Carter album. S he sounds so beautiful on that record; gives Ray a run for his money; and their version of “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” is the greatest version ever. I only have a few of her LPs (plus a smattering of CDs), but each one is incredible:
- Social Call – Arrangements by Quincy Jones and Gigi Gryce, with amazing performances by Ray Bryant, Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall, Philly Joe Jones, Ubie Green and others. This recording is positively swinging. “Social Call” is magical, and this LP has yet another great version of “Thou Swell.”
- Finally – Gasp! What an incredible album! OMG, I wish I was on this record, or that someone I know would like to make a record like this because, good God, this is incredible. The playing is outstanding, and the arrangements – which, by the way, are by Betty Carter – are still fresh. Normon Simmons, Lisle Atkinson and Al Harewood are the wonderful rhythm section. They even play free on this album. And her singing! I love her scatting, but for me, the most wonderful thing about Betty Carter’s singing is the level of risk that she was able to introduce in her interpretations of the melody. No American Idol contestant would be able to hang…
- The Betty Carter Album – Gasp, again! Another amazing one, and all the more interesting because it’s on the Bet-Car label. Mostly originals, and completely arranged by Betty Carter, this proves – as if proof was necessary, or that Finally didn’t provide sufficient evidence – that Ms. C was an incredible arranger. Another amazing band…
- Look What I Got – Grammy award winning LP with Stephen Scott, Benny Green, Curtis Lundy, and Lewis Nash. Beautifully recorded, lovely, swinging performances.
The next installment might take some time to get through: Ron Carter albums.
Best, R.