[Dixielandjazz] Peggy Lee reviewed

[Robert Ringwald]

'68 Peggy Lee Album Is Finally Free
by Ellis Widner
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), March 2, 2010

sThe magnificent Peggy Lee, remembered for the classic songs "Fever," "Is That All
There Is?" and "I'm a Woman," was a rarity among singers from the pre-rock 'n' roll
era.
Lee's adventurous spirit and openness to good songs led her beyond American standards
and her originals into works by rock and folk songwriters such as Randy Newman, The
Beatles, Tim Hardin and others. She sounded, for the most part, right at home with
the material and often made it her own.
"Two Shows Nightly" (Collectors' Choice), recorded in 1968 at the Copacabana in New
York, reflects the diversity of Lee's restless muse. The Lovin' Spoonful's "Didn't
Want to Have to Do It" is superbly interpreted, and she gives a swinging touch to
Hardin's "Reason to Believe." While "Something Stupid" is a rare misstep, Lee's passionate
take on Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Until It's Time for You to Go" sounds like it was written
for her.
The set also includes a couple of Lee's best, "Alright, Okay, You Win" and "Come
Back to Me." "Two Shows Nightly" was due to be issued soon after it was recorded,
but Lee was unhappy with it and stopped its release. So, other than some promotional
copies that reached critics and radio stations, the album was not available.
Until now. Along with the original selections, there are a dozen bonus tunes, including
several Lee wrote.
While this release is welcome, one can't help but wish the label could have been
allowed to release more of Lee's Copa performances with a completist approach, as
Verve did on Ella Fitzgerald's superb "12 Nights in Hollywood."
Collectors' Choice also has reissued Lee's "Let's Love," titled after the song Paul
McCartney wrote for her. The album also embraces a variety of material, from Melissa
Manchester's "He Is the One" and Irving Berlin's lovely "Always" to The Stylistics'
hit "You Make Me Feel Brand New." Lee died in 2002.


--Bob Ringwald K6YBV
rsr at ringwald.com
Fulton Street Jazz Band
916/806-9551

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