Hazel Scott - 1939-1945 {The Chronological Classics, 1308} (2003)

A brilliant pianist who also had a warm singing voice, Hazel Scott gained some recognition in the early '40s for her swinging versions of classical themes. This valuable CD has all of her early recordings through May 1945, most of which have been rarely reissued. Scott is first heard on four songs with a pickup group organized by Leonard Feather called the Sextet of the Rhythm Club of London. While that unit features clarinetist Danny Polo and altoist Pete Brown, the next 16 selections (four of which are V-discs) put the spotlight entirely on Scott, who is backed by either J.C. Heard or Sid Catlett on drums. She shows off both her technique and her creativity on six classical works, swing standards, and a couple basic blues originals, singing on "People Will Say We're in Love" and "C Jam Blues." The final four numbers are quite a bit different as Scott is showcased as a fairly straight and sophisticated singer with orchestras conducted by Toots Camarata. Overall, this CD is highly recommended, reminding today's listeners how talented a pianist Scott was in her early days.

Tracks:

01 Calling All Bars Feather 2:52
02 Mighty Like the Blues Feather 2:55
03 You Gave Me the Go-By Feather 2:42
04 Why Didn't William Tell? Feather 2:39
05 Valse in "D" Flat Major, Op.64 № 1 (Minute) Chopin 3:06
06 Country Gardens Grainger 2:55
07 Ritual Fire Dance De Falla 2:51
08 Prelude in "C" Sharp Minor Rachmaninoff 2:23
09 Two Part Invention in "A" Minor Bach 2:13
10 Hungarian Rhapsody № 2 in "C" Sharp Minor Liszt 3:23
11 Embraceable You Gershwin, Gershwin 2:59
12 Hazel's Boogie Woogie Scott 2:21
13 Blues in B Flat Bellson, Carter, Lewis, Scott 2:49
14 Hallelujah ! Bez, Davis, Day, Grey, Robin, Ryder… 3:04
15 Dark Eyes Traditional 3:14
16 Three Little Words Kalmar, Ruby 2:36
17 Body and Soul Eyton, Green, Heyman, Sour 4:08
18 People Will Say We're in Love Hammerstein, Rodgers 3:28
19 Honeysuckle Rose Razaf, Waller 4:05
20 C Jam Blues Bigard, Ellington 3:47
21 Take Me in Your Arms Markush, Parish 3:18
22 I'm Glad There Is You Dorsey, Madeira 3:18
23 Fascinating Rhythm Gershwin 2:28
24 The Man I Love Gershwin 2:45