Carmen McRae - The Complete Ralph Burns Sessions Featuring Ben Webster (2021) [Hi-Res]

This edition combines several outstanding sessions by Carmen McRae – dating between December 1955 and August 1958 – under the musical direction of the brilliant arranger and conductor Ralph Burns. Armed with an orchestra boasting a 10-piece string section, Burns’ subtle and evocative charts provide a strong yet delicate support that gracefully enhances the vocalist’s talents without ever overpowering her. The addition of guest soloist tenor saxophonist Ben Webster – who for contractual reasons recorded here under the pseudonym “A Tenorman” - brought another dimension to the magical quality of these recordings. His breathy and expressive sound proves the perfect counterpoint to McRae’s versatile and passionate vocal style.

“I tried to write arrangements that would lend Carmen the freedom to be fully expressive. What we had in mind was the loose, relaxed quality typical of a party where pressure is non-existent, and a singer can sing to suit herself.” - Ralph Burns

Tracklist:
01 - Carmen McRae - Last Night When We Were Young (Remastered) (2:38)
02 - Carmen McRae - Midnight Sun (Remastered) (3:45)
03 - Carmen McRae - Yesterdays (Remastered) (2:35)
04 - Carmen McRae - Good Morning Heartache (Remastered) (3:22)
05 - Carmen McRae - Mr. Meadowlark (Remastered) (2:43)
06 - Carmen McRae - Skylark (Remastered) (3:00)
07 - Carmen McRae - Bye Bye Blackbird (Remastered) (3:25)
08 - Carmen McRae - Flamingo (Remastered) (3:43)
09 - Carmen McRae - A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (Remastered) (4:57)
10 - Carmen McRae - When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano (Remastered) (2:33)
11 - Carmen McRae - His Eye Is On The Sparrow (Remastered) (3:20)
12 - Carmen McRae - The Eagle And Me (Remastered) (2:45)
13 - Carmen McRae - When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along (Remastered) (2:27)
14 - Carmen McRae - Bob White (Watcha Gonna Swing Tonight) (Remastered) (2:56)
15 - Carmen McRae - Baltimore Oriole (Remastered) (3:51)
16 - Carmen McRae - Chicken Today And Feathers Tomorrow! (Remastered) (3:12)
17 - Carmen McRae - Speak Low (When You Speak Love) (Remastered) (3:09)
18 - Carmen McRae - But Beautiful (Remastered) (2:55)
19 - Carmen McRae - If You'd Stay The Way I Dream About You (Remastered) (2:46)
20 - Carmen McRae - My Future Just Passed (Remastered) (3:16)
21 - Carmen McRae - We'll Be Together Again (Remastered) (3:05)
22 - Carmen McRae - I'm A Dreamer, Aren't We All (Remastered) (2:46)
23 - Carmen McRae - Star Eyes (Remastered) (3:08)
24 - Carmen McRae - I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You (Remastered) (3:14)