PEGGY LEE (VOCALS) — Black Coffee With Peggy Lee (review)

PEGGY LEE (VOCALS) — Black Coffee With Peggy Lee album cover Album · 1956 · Vocal Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
js
Not only is ‘Black Coffee’ considered one of Peggy Lee’s finest records, it also gives us a unique snapshot of her development over a three year period. The first eight songs on this record were recorded in 1953 with a jazz trio plus trumpet and released on a ten inch record just a couple years before the twelve inch LP became the standard. Three years later in 1956 Peggy hit the studio again with a far different ensemble that included a harpist and a percussionist who would often switch from the trap set to the more unique sound of the vibraphone. The purpose of this second recording session was to provide enough additional material so that they could re-release the whole package as a twelve inch LP.

There is quite a difference between the two combos on here, and there is also a noticeable difference in Lee’s voice and presence on the two sessions as well. The songs recorded in 1953 are more extroverted and jazzy, the trumpet answers to Peggy’s vocals recall an earlier era in jazz, almost back to the time of Satchmo and classic New Orleans jazz. The trumpet adds an irreverent and sassy touch that was unusual for a vocal record at this time, but the icy cool sound of the 1956 combo with its exotic harp and vibraphone textures seems to bring out more of Lee’s unique vocal qualities.

Peggy is a great jazz singer, but at her best she elevates herself to something a little more personal, more like a modern cabaret singer with a personal tale of feelings that are hinted at rather than over stated. It’s the 56 combo that provides the air of mystery that really brings out the best and most memorable in Peggy Lee.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Cecil Taylor Unit : Live At Fat Tuesdays, February 9, 1980 First Visit Avant-Garde Jazz
CECIL TAYLOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
Solo Bern 1984 - First Visit Avant-Garde Jazz
ANTHONY BRAXTON
Buy this album from MMA partners
Ernesto Rodrigues, Bruno Parrinha & Johannes von Buttlar : Whispers and Reveries Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ERNESTO RODRIGUES
Buy this album from MMA partners
Ernesto Rodrigues, Nuno Torres & Johannes von Buttlar : Cosmic Collision Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ERNESTO RODRIGUES
Buy this album from MMA partners
Ernesto Rodrigues, Carlos Bechegas, João Madeira & Monsieur Trinité : Free to Open Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ERNESTO RODRIGUES
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Songs My Mom Liked EPK - Anthony Branker
ANTHONY BRANKER
js· 19 hours ago
“INFLUENCES” by Jared Hall, trumpeter & composer
JARED HALL
js· 20 hours ago
Jean-Pierre (feat. Darryl Jones)
BILL EVANS (SAX)
snobb· 1 day ago
Magic Box
CHRISTOPHE MARGUET
snobb· 1 day ago
The Peacocks
ANTOINE DRYE
js· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed