[Dixielandjazz] Jim Beebe vs. Lee Wiley

[Jim Beebe]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Harold Smith" <s3856lpa at webtv.net>

> Jim, your posting on Rod Stewart's getting into the great standards,
> better paraphrased as his ascfendancy into hell, left me in wonderment
> over your comments on Lee Wiley.
>
> I don't portend to expertise on her specific
> technical failings as a vocalist.  I do enjoy her approach, her
> expression, her New York attitude.  And,anyone who tied with Jess Stacy
> can't be all bad.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I love Wingy, too.  That guy was all Jazz whenever
> he sang.
> In this world we live in today, when I envision  the likes of Whitney
> Houston, or Celine Dion, or--God save us!--Brittney Spears putting their
> vocal talents ( a real oxy-moron) to the great standards of the past, I
> feel that Lee Wiley should be a candidate for Sainthood.
>
> I will add that, among the contemporary pop singers, that Natalie Cole
> seems to me to be the most musically endowed, and she ought to be
> singing nothing but the wonderful standards we treasure.
>
> Rod Stewart ought to be confined to a sound-proof room and forced to
> listen to hmself for a full week.  However, if his recording of these
> tunes has opened the door to his devoted following of rockers in the
> world of good and /or great songs, then this whole thing is not without
> merit.
>
> Best regards,  Harold Smith

  Harold, I believe that the main attraction for Lee Wiley is that she
recorded with top jazz greats. Having Teagarden, Hackett or Jess Stacy on
her recordings make the difference.  I have to admit that there are a few
things of hers that I like but more than a few are just insipid.

Jim Beebe