Four Classic Albums Plus (Anita O'day And Billy May Swing Rodgers And Hart / Anita O'day & The Three Sounds / Anita O'day Sings The Winners / Time For

It's that magic combination again for our first selection, recorded in L.A. in June 1960, Anita O'Day joining forces again with top arranger Billy May to sing songs from one of the great American songbooks, "Anita O'Day and Billy May Swing Rodgers & Hart". As quoted from the original liner notes, "when Anita O'Day joins with Billy May to get off a dozen Rodgers & Hart standards, both singer and arranger-conductor rely on their ingenuity to show what can be done with show music". "Anita O'Day & The Three Sounds" came together in 1962, after Ms O'Day had been out of a semi-retirement and back on the circuit, including the legendary Newport appearance, since around the late '50's. The Three Sounds , Gene Harris on piano, Andrew Simpkins on bass and Bill Dowdy on drums were formed in South Bend in 1958 and had played with the likes of Lester Young, Al Hibbler and Sonny Stitt. Here they are heard both backing Ms O'Day in New York and on four instrumentals recorded in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey around October 1962. "Anita O'Day Sings The Winners" features Ms. O'Day with not one but two orchestra's! Recorded at Radio Recorders in L.A. on 2nd April 1962 she can be heard with the Russ Garcia Orchestra. The next day, same venue, she can be heard with the Marty Paich Orchestra! Here's a quote from the original liner notes, "Anita's tribute to the poll winners, an album suggested by Norman Granz……represents further irrepressible proof that she is singing better than she ever has". And just a word about the helpers!! "Anita was unusually pleased with both arrangers…..the co-ordinator Barney Kessel….and even the engineer…. she accoladed…Mr. Bones". For our final selection "Time for Two" Anita is heard from Hollywood, California in February 1962 where she joins up with vibist Cal Tjader's Latin orientated quartet for "a combination of deftly played jazz on a foundation of pulsating Latin percussion".
All four albums have been digitally re-mastered