Anita O'Day - Waiter, Make Mine The Blues (2018)

This 1961 album was recorded during three 1960 recording sessions, two of which included a fairly large backing ensemble. The other session had a much smaller group backing Anita, yet the entire album sounds cohesive. In fact, despite the larger ensemble that is on two thirds of the album's tracks, the overall feel is intimate and light. That is a tribute to both Anita's skills as a vocalist, as well as the producer and the arrangers.

Session number one was recorded in August 1960, and resulted in tracks 1, 5, 6 and 9. The backing ensemble was comprised of Geoff Clarkson on piano, Al Hendrickson on guitar, Al McKibbon on bass and the great Mel Lewis on drums. Horns are four trombonists (Harry Betts, Frank Rosolino, Ken Shroyer and Dickie Wells), and Bud Shank on alto saxophone and flute. The horn section is particularly interesting in that the low end is well anchored with the four trombones, with the upper registers handled by either an alto or flute. No trumpets! Yet it works.

The remaining two sessions were spread across two days in October 1960 and used a much larger orchestra that included strings. Also, Bud Shank from the August session, as well as Barney Kessell on guitar are members of the larger ensemble.

Tracklist:

01. That Old Feeling
02. Angel Eyes
03. The Thrill Is Gone
04. Detour Ahead
05. Yesterdays
06. Waiter, Make Mine Blues
07. Whatever Happened To You
08. When Sunny Gets Blue
09. Stella By Starlight
10. Mad About The Boy
11. A Blues Serenade
12. Goodbye