Chris Connor Sings Ballads Of The Sad Cafe
Chris Connor on Jazz Collectibles Classics

jazz collectibles classics COL-CD-6277

This album was originally released on Atlantic Records in 1959 with arrangements by Ralph Sharon (naturally).

One of the most notable things about Chris Connor's previous albums in addition to her own warm and individual style has been their tastefulness. This applies to all of her Atlantic recordings. Although this album is a bit unusual in that it is a one mood-sad mood- album, it too is marked by that indefinable but important quality called taste, in her singing, the material, and the arrangements.

This CD is another in the series of two-fer disks but the first 8 tracks covers an album called West Coast Wailers, a small group instrumental affair. On the second half of the CD, Chris is accompanied by three different groups this time around:

MUSICIANS:

Tracks 10,12,14,17: Ernie Royal, Snookie Young, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Joe Newman-trumpet; Al Grey, Frank Rehak, Eddie Bert-trombone; Marshall Royal, Phil Woods-alto sax; Frank Foster-tenor sax; Selden Powell-tenor sax, flute; Charlie Fowlkes-baritone sax; Stan Free-piano; Freddie Green-guitar; Eddie Jones-bass; Sonny Payne-drums

Tracks 9,11,15: Wayne Andre, Willie Dennis, Frank Rehak, Dick Hixon-trombone; Bobby Jaspar-flute; Eugene Orloff, Sylvan Shulman, Harry Melnikoff, Sam Rand, Harry Katzman, Harry Urbont, Ray Free, George Ockner-violin; Isadore Zir, Dave Mankovitz-viola; Dave Soyer, Maurice Brown-cello; Stan Free-piano; Barry Galbraith-guitar; Don Payne-bass; Ed Shaughnessy-drums

Tracks 13,16: Don Byrd-trumpet; Steve Perlow, Stan Webb, Jerry Sanfino, Morton Lewis, Bobby Jaspar-sax; Eugene Orloff, Mac Ceppos, Ray Free, Sam Rand, Harry Melnikoff, Tosha Samaroff, Leo Krucxek, Harry Lookofsky, Harry Katzman-violin; Stan Free-piano; Kenny Burrell-guitar; Don Payne-bass; Billy Exiner-drums

TRACKS:

• 9. These Foolish Things (Eric Maschwitz-Jack Strachey-Harry Link)
• 10. Bargain Day (William Roy)
• 11. The End Of A Love Affair (Edward C. Redding)
• 12. Glad To Be Unhappy (Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart)
• 13. Ballad Of The Sad Cafe (Charles DeForest)
• 14. Good Morning Heartache (Irene Higgenbotham-Ervin Drake-Dan Fisher)
• 15. Something I Dreamed Last Night (Jack Yellen-Herb Magidson-Sammy Fain)
• 16. Lilac Wine (James Shelton)
• 17. One For My Baby (Harold Arlen-Johnny Mercer)