Blue Gardenia (album)
Encyclopedia
Blue Gardenia is an album by Etta James
, released in August 2001 through the record label Private Music
. Produced by John Snyder, who had worked with James on five of her previous studio albums, Blue Gardenia contains thirteen jazz standard
s from the 1930s–50s arranged by pianist Cedar Walton
(with the exception of "Love Letters
", arranged by Josh Sklair). Between November 2000 and February 2001, Snyder and Walton first assembled musicians to record tracks while James was recovering from a flu; her vocals were added following her recovery. In addition to Walton, guests appearing on the album included Red Holloway
on tenor saxophone and Dorothy Hawkins, James' mother, who provided vocals on the title track.
James promoted the album by touring throughout the United States leading up to and following its release. Critical reception of the album was positive overall. The album reached a peak position of number one on Billboard
Top Jazz Albums chart. Hawkins died in May 2002, less than a year following the album's release.
s familiar to James from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s arranged by pianist Cedar Walton
(with the exception of "Love Letters
", arranged by Josh Sklair). Snyder had produced five of James' past studio albums: The Right Time
(1992), Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday
(1994), Time After Time
(1995), 12 Songs of Christmas
(1998) and Heart of a Woman
(1999). Recorded from November 2000 to February 2001, Snyder and Walton first assembled a group of jazz musicians to record tracks for the album without the presence of James, who was suffering from the flu. A few months later, vocals from James' recording sessions were added following her recovery. Allmusic's Jonathan Widran described the album as having an "old school big band flavor" with a "bed of simmering brass"; instrumentation included bass, flugelhorn, guitar, piano, percussion, tenor saxophone, trombone, and trumpet.
The album opens with a rendition of Clyde Otis
' "This Bitter Earth
", a song popularized by Dinah Washington
then later added to Aretha Franklin
's repertoire, followed by "He's Funny That Way" (Neil Moret, Richard A. Whiting
). Both tracks contained improvisations by Walton on piano. According to Dorothy Hill, blues editor for Jazz Now, listeners can hear James "murmuring admiration" for Walton's piano work in the background of "He's Funny That Way". "In My Solitude
", originally by Duke Ellington
, featured a "passionate" interlude by Red Holloway
on tenor saxophone. Other standards appearing on the album included "There Is No Greater Love
" (Isham Jones
, Marty Symes
), Joe Greene's "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying", and "Love Letters", originally written by Edward Heyman
and Victor Young
. Sklair arranged the latter song and performed guitar; also featured is Rick Baptist on flugelhorn. "These Foolish Things
", originally written by Harry Link
, Holt Marvell
and Jack Strachey
, previously appeared on James' 1995 album of the same name. Harold Arlen
and Johnny Mercer
's "Come Rain or Come Shine" is followed by "Don't Worry 'bout Me
" (Rube Bloom
, Ted Koehler
). Leading up to the album's close are Arthur Hamilton
's "Cry Me a River", "Don't Blame Me
" (Dorothy Fields
, Jimmy McHugh
), and "My Man
" which features a trombone solo by George Bohannon. The album's closing and title track features vocals by James' mother, Dorothy Hawkins.
awarded the album with an "A–" rating and wrote that James "[lets] the songs do the talking and [leaves] you to wonder whether her modest melodic variations bespeak sly musicality or weathered pipes." Isaac Guzman of New York City's Daily News thought the album showcased James' ability to "get inside the gentle nuances of classic torch songs and ballads". Dorothy Hill noted the blues sound of the album and the "ache" in James' voice. She complimented the performances by the guest musicians appearing on the album, including Hawkins (Hill found her vocal contribution to be "unpolished but alluring").
Billboard
Bill Holland called James and the material on Blue Gardenia a "near-perfect fit" after noting her "hit-or-miss relationship with standards" in the past. Holland felt that Walton's arrangements were designed for a singer with a "less robust style", but considered "Blue Gardenia" and "Cry Me a River" to be "riveting". Lorraine Ali's review for Newsweek
called Blue Gardenia a "smooth cocktail", claiming James' vocal performance reflect her difficult past. Dave Nathan of All About Jazz
concluded: "James may have slowed a bit when it comes to technical skills. But the fervency, the soul and the passion not only are still there, but have grown keener with age. This is an album of more than an hour of from the heart singing by one of the great ones and is recommended."
Credits adapted from Allmusic.
Top Jazz Albums chart and held the position for at least four weeks. This entry marked James' first number one position on any Billboard chart; previously, Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday (1994) and Matriarch of the Blues (2000) had reached number two on the Top Jazz Albums and Top Blues Albums charts, respectively. The June 8, 2002 issue of Billboard, which featured year-to-date rankings between the December 1, 2001 and May 11, 2002 issues as part of the publication's "Jazz Spotlight", included Blue Gardenia at number six on the Top Jazz Albums chart.
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
, released in August 2001 through the record label Private Music
Private Music
Private Music is a United States record company founded in 1984 by experimental musician Peter Baumann, as a home for instrumental music. Initially signing such artists as Yanni, Suzanne Ciani, Patrick O'Hearn, and Baumann's former bandmates Tangerine Dream, the record label specialized in New Age...
. Produced by John Snyder, who had worked with James on five of her previous studio albums, Blue Gardenia contains thirteen jazz standard
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
s from the 1930s–50s arranged by pianist Cedar Walton
Cedar Walton
Cedar Anthony Walton, Junior is an American hard bop jazz pianist.-Biography:Walton grew up in Dallas, Texas. His mother was an aspiring concert pianist, and was Walton's initial teacher. She also took him to jazz performances around Dallas...
(with the exception of "Love Letters
Love Letters (song)
"Love Letters" is a 1945 popular song with music by Victor Young and lyrics by Edward Heyman. The song appeared, without lyrics, in the movie of the same name, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song for 1945....
", arranged by Josh Sklair). Between November 2000 and February 2001, Snyder and Walton first assembled musicians to record tracks while James was recovering from a flu; her vocals were added following her recovery. In addition to Walton, guests appearing on the album included Red Holloway
Red Holloway
James W. "Red" Holloway is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Holloway started playing banjo and harmonica, switching to tenor sax when he was twelve years old...
on tenor saxophone and Dorothy Hawkins, James' mother, who provided vocals on the title track.
James promoted the album by touring throughout the United States leading up to and following its release. Critical reception of the album was positive overall. The album reached a peak position of number one on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Top Jazz Albums chart. Hawkins died in May 2002, less than a year following the album's release.
Composition
Produced by John Snyder, Blue Gardenia contains thirteen jazz standardJazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
s familiar to James from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s arranged by pianist Cedar Walton
Cedar Walton
Cedar Anthony Walton, Junior is an American hard bop jazz pianist.-Biography:Walton grew up in Dallas, Texas. His mother was an aspiring concert pianist, and was Walton's initial teacher. She also took him to jazz performances around Dallas...
(with the exception of "Love Letters
Love Letters (song)
"Love Letters" is a 1945 popular song with music by Victor Young and lyrics by Edward Heyman. The song appeared, without lyrics, in the movie of the same name, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song for 1945....
", arranged by Josh Sklair). Snyder had produced five of James' past studio albums: The Right Time
The Right Time (Etta James Album)
The Right Time is a R&B album by singer Etta James, released in 1992.- Track listing :# "I Sing the Blues" # "Love and Happiness" # "Evening of Love"...
(1992), Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday
Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday
Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday is an album by Etta James, released in 1994 through the record label Private Music. The album reached a peak position of number two on Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart....
(1994), Time After Time
Time After Time (Etta James album)
Time After Time is an album by Etta James, released in 1995 through the record label Sony BMG. The album reached a peak position of number five on Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart....
(1995), 12 Songs of Christmas
12 Songs of Christmas (Etta James album)
12 Songs of Christmas is a holiday album by American singer Etta James, released in October 1998 through the record label Private Music. The album, produced by John Snyder, features standards arranged mostly by pianist Cedar Walton and solos by Walton, George Bohanon on trombone and Red Holloway on...
(1998) and Heart of a Woman
Heart of a Woman
Heart of a Woman is an album by Etta James, released in June 1999 through RCA Records. The album consists of eleven love songs from James' favorite female singers as well as a recording of her most popular song "At Last". Recorded in March 1999, Heart of a Woman was produced by James and John...
(1999). Recorded from November 2000 to February 2001, Snyder and Walton first assembled a group of jazz musicians to record tracks for the album without the presence of James, who was suffering from the flu. A few months later, vocals from James' recording sessions were added following her recovery. Allmusic's Jonathan Widran described the album as having an "old school big band flavor" with a "bed of simmering brass"; instrumentation included bass, flugelhorn, guitar, piano, percussion, tenor saxophone, trombone, and trumpet.
The album opens with a rendition of Clyde Otis
Clyde Otis
Clyde Otis, born in Prentiss, Mississippi, , was an American songwriter and producer best known for his collaboration with singer Brook Benton, and for being one of the first African American A&R executive for a major label.According to the music licensing organization Broadcast Music Inc., Otis is...
' "This Bitter Earth
This Bitter Earth
"This Bitter Earth" is a 1960 song made famous by rhythm and blues singer Dinah Washington. Written and produced by Clyde Otis, it topped the U.S. R&B charts for the week of 25 July 1960 and also reached #24 on the U.S. pop charts...
", a song popularized by Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones , was an American blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues"...
then later added to Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
's repertoire, followed by "He's Funny That Way" (Neil Moret, Richard A. Whiting
Richard A. Whiting
Richard Armstrong Whiting was a composer of popular songs including the standards, "Hooray for Hollywood", "Ain't We Got Fun?" & "On the Good Ship Lollipop"....
). Both tracks contained improvisations by Walton on piano. According to Dorothy Hill, blues editor for Jazz Now, listeners can hear James "murmuring admiration" for Walton's piano work in the background of "He's Funny That Way". "In My Solitude
(In My) Solitude
" Solitude" is a 1934 jazz standard, composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills.- Notable recordings :* Paul Robeson, bass with orchestra. Recorded in London on October 18, 1937...
", originally by Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, featured a "passionate" interlude by Red Holloway
Red Holloway
James W. "Red" Holloway is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Holloway started playing banjo and harmonica, switching to tenor sax when he was twelve years old...
on tenor saxophone. Other standards appearing on the album included "There Is No Greater Love
There Is No Greater Love
"There Is No Greater Love" is a 1936 jazz standard composed by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Marty Symes. It was the last hit song for Jones's orchestra before the bandleader turned the orchestra over to Woody Herman, beginning the latter's 50 year career as a bandleader.The song is often played as a...
" (Isham Jones
Isham Jones
Isham Jones was a United States bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter.-Career:Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, to a musical and mining family, and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where he started his first band...
, Marty Symes
Marty Symes
Marty Symes was an American lyricist.Symes was born in Brooklyn New York in 1904. His first significant collaborator was composer Jerry Livingston. In 1932 they wrote "Darkness on the Delta", which became a hit for Mildred Bailey. The next year the Casa Loma Orchestra recorded their "Under the...
), Joe Greene's "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying", and "Love Letters", originally written by Edward Heyman
Edward Heyman
Edward Heyman was an American musician and lyricist, best known for his compositions "Body and Soul", "When I Fall in Love", and "For Sentimental Reasons". He also contributed many songs for films.-Biography:...
and Victor Young
Victor Young
Victor Young was an American composer, arranger, violinist and conductor. He was born in Chicago.-Biography:...
. Sklair arranged the latter song and performed guitar; also featured is Rick Baptist on flugelhorn. "These Foolish Things
These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
"These Foolish Things " is a standard with words by Eric Maschwitz and music by Jack Strachey. Harry Link, an American, sometimes appears as a co-writer, but his input was probably limited to changes to suit the U.S. market. It is one of a group of 'Mayfair Songs', like "A Nightingale Sang in...
", originally written by Harry Link
Harry Link
Harry Link, born Harry Linkey was an American songwriter. He wrote or co-wrote several well-known jazz standards....
, Holt Marvell
Eric Maschwitz
Albert Eric Maschwitz OBE , known as Eric Maschwitz and sometimes credited as Holt Marvell, was an English entertainer, writer, broadcaster and broadcasting executive.-Life and work:...
and Jack Strachey
Jack Strachey
Jack Strachey , was an English composer and songwriterBorn John Francis Strachey in London, England on 25 September 1894 he began writing songs in the 1920s for the theatre and the music hall, scoring his first success with songs he had written for Frith Shephard's long running musical revue Lady...
, previously appeared on James' 1995 album of the same name. Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the...
and Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
's "Come Rain or Come Shine" is followed by "Don't Worry 'bout Me
Don't Worry 'bout Me
"Don't Worry 'bout Me" is a 1938 song composed by Rube Bloom, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler.-Notable recordings:*Dave Brubeck - Jazz Goes to College *Ella Fitzgerald - Newport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie Hall...
" (Rube Bloom
Rube Bloom
Reuben Bloom was a Jewish American multi-faceted entertainer, and in addition to being a songwriter, pianist, arranger, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and writer .During his career, he worked with many well-known performers, including Bix Beiderbecke, Joe Venuti, Ruth Etting,...
, Ted Koehler
Ted Koehler
Ted L. Koehler was an American lyricist.-Life and career:Koehler was born in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver but was attracted to the music business, where he started out as a theater pianist for silent films. He moved on to write for vaudeville shows and Broadway, and he also...
). Leading up to the album's close are Arthur Hamilton
Arthur Hamilton
Arthur Hamilton is an American songwriter, who is best known for writing the song "Cry Me a River", first published in 1953 and most famously recorded by Julie London in 1955....
's "Cry Me a River", "Don't Blame Me
Don't Blame Me (song)
"Don't Blame Me" is a popular song with music by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The song was published in 1933.The song received two significant "rock era" remakes: a mellow ballad version by the Everly Brothers, released by Warner Bros...
" (Dorothy Fields
Dorothy Fields
Dorothy Fields was an American librettist and lyricist.She wrote over 400 songs for Broadway musicals and films...
, Jimmy McHugh
Jimmy McHugh
James Francis McHugh was a U.S. composer. One of the most prolific songwriters from the 1920s to the 1950s, he composed over 270 songs...
), and "My Man
Mon Homme
"Mon Homme" is a popular song known by its English translation, My Man. The song was originally composed by Jacques Charles, Channing Pollack, Albert Willemetz, and Maurice Yvain.-History:...
" which features a trombone solo by George Bohannon. The album's closing and title track features vocals by James' mother, Dorothy Hawkins.
Reception
Critical reception of Blue Gardenia was positive overall. Widran wrote a positive review for the album, complimenting Walton's arrangements and the featured soloists. Furthermore, Widran thought that each track allowed James to "explore both tenderness and guttural emotions" and that James' mother's contributions to the title track provided a "unique touch that [added] emotional dimension to an already emotionally rich affair". Music critic Robert ChristgauRobert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
awarded the album with an "A–" rating and wrote that James "[lets] the songs do the talking and [leaves] you to wonder whether her modest melodic variations bespeak sly musicality or weathered pipes." Isaac Guzman of New York City's Daily News thought the album showcased James' ability to "get inside the gentle nuances of classic torch songs and ballads". Dorothy Hill noted the blues sound of the album and the "ache" in James' voice. She complimented the performances by the guest musicians appearing on the album, including Hawkins (Hill found her vocal contribution to be "unpolished but alluring").
Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Bill Holland called James and the material on Blue Gardenia a "near-perfect fit" after noting her "hit-or-miss relationship with standards" in the past. Holland felt that Walton's arrangements were designed for a singer with a "less robust style", but considered "Blue Gardenia" and "Cry Me a River" to be "riveting". Lorraine Ali's review for Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
called Blue Gardenia a "smooth cocktail", claiming James' vocal performance reflect her difficult past. Dave Nathan of All About Jazz
All About Jazz
All About Jazz is a leading jazz music website for enthusiasts and industry professionals based in Philadelphia in the United States.Founded by Michael Ricci in 1995, the Web-Site is maintained by a volunteer staff of writers, editors, and musicians, and provides coverage of all genres of jazz from...
concluded: "James may have slowed a bit when it comes to technical skills. But the fervency, the soul and the passion not only are still there, but have grown keener with age. This is an album of more than an hour of from the heart singing by one of the great ones and is recommended."
Track listing
- "This Bitter EarthThis Bitter Earth"This Bitter Earth" is a 1960 song made famous by rhythm and blues singer Dinah Washington. Written and produced by Clyde Otis, it topped the U.S. R&B charts for the week of 25 July 1960 and also reached #24 on the U.S. pop charts...
" (Clyde OtisClyde OtisClyde Otis, born in Prentiss, Mississippi, , was an American songwriter and producer best known for his collaboration with singer Brook Benton, and for being one of the first African American A&R executive for a major label.According to the music licensing organization Broadcast Music Inc., Otis is...
) – 4:20 - "He's Funny That Way" (Neil Moret, Richard A. WhitingRichard A. WhitingRichard Armstrong Whiting was a composer of popular songs including the standards, "Hooray for Hollywood", "Ain't We Got Fun?" & "On the Good Ship Lollipop"....
) – 6:00 - "In My Solitude(In My) Solitude" Solitude" is a 1934 jazz standard, composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills.- Notable recordings :* Paul Robeson, bass with orchestra. Recorded in London on October 18, 1937...
" (Eddie DeLangeEddie DeLangeEddie DeLange was an American bandleader and lyricist. Famous artists who recorded some of DeLange's songs include Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman.-Biography:...
, Duke EllingtonDuke EllingtonEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, Irving MillsIrving MillsIrving Mills was a jazz music publisher, also known by the name of "Joe Primrose."Mills was born to Jewish parents in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City. He founded Mills Music with his brother Jack in 1919...
) – 5:16 - "There Is No Greater LoveThere Is No Greater Love"There Is No Greater Love" is a 1936 jazz standard composed by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Marty Symes. It was the last hit song for Jones's orchestra before the bandleader turned the orchestra over to Woody Herman, beginning the latter's 50 year career as a bandleader.The song is often played as a...
" (Isham JonesIsham JonesIsham Jones was a United States bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter.-Career:Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, to a musical and mining family, and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where he started his first band...
, Marty SymesMarty SymesMarty Symes was an American lyricist.Symes was born in Brooklyn New York in 1904. His first significant collaborator was composer Jerry Livingston. In 1932 they wrote "Darkness on the Delta", which became a hit for Mildred Bailey. The next year the Casa Loma Orchestra recorded their "Under the...
) – 5:18 - "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" (Joe Greene) – 5:18
- "Love LettersLove Letters (song)"Love Letters" is a 1945 popular song with music by Victor Young and lyrics by Edward Heyman. The song appeared, without lyrics, in the movie of the same name, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song for 1945....
" (Edward HeymanEdward HeymanEdward Heyman was an American musician and lyricist, best known for his compositions "Body and Soul", "When I Fall in Love", and "For Sentimental Reasons". He also contributed many songs for films.-Biography:...
, Victor YoungVictor YoungVictor Young was an American composer, arranger, violinist and conductor. He was born in Chicago.-Biography:...
) – 3:59 - "These Foolish ThingsThese Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)"These Foolish Things " is a standard with words by Eric Maschwitz and music by Jack Strachey. Harry Link, an American, sometimes appears as a co-writer, but his input was probably limited to changes to suit the U.S. market. It is one of a group of 'Mayfair Songs', like "A Nightingale Sang in...
" (Harry LinkHarry LinkHarry Link, born Harry Linkey was an American songwriter. He wrote or co-wrote several well-known jazz standards....
, Holt MarvellEric MaschwitzAlbert Eric Maschwitz OBE , known as Eric Maschwitz and sometimes credited as Holt Marvell, was an English entertainer, writer, broadcaster and broadcasting executive.-Life and work:...
, Jack StracheyJack StracheyJack Strachey , was an English composer and songwriterBorn John Francis Strachey in London, England on 25 September 1894 he began writing songs in the 1920s for the theatre and the music hall, scoring his first success with songs he had written for Frith Shephard's long running musical revue Lady...
) – 5:14 - "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Harold ArlenHarold ArlenHarold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the...
, Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
) – 5:39 - "Don't Worry 'bout MeDon't Worry 'bout Me"Don't Worry 'bout Me" is a 1938 song composed by Rube Bloom, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler.-Notable recordings:*Dave Brubeck - Jazz Goes to College *Ella Fitzgerald - Newport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie Hall...
" (Rube BloomRube BloomReuben Bloom was a Jewish American multi-faceted entertainer, and in addition to being a songwriter, pianist, arranger, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and writer .During his career, he worked with many well-known performers, including Bix Beiderbecke, Joe Venuti, Ruth Etting,...
, Ted KoehlerTed KoehlerTed L. Koehler was an American lyricist.-Life and career:Koehler was born in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver but was attracted to the music business, where he started out as a theater pianist for silent films. He moved on to write for vaudeville shows and Broadway, and he also...
) – 5:52 - "Cry Me a River" (Arthur HamiltonArthur HamiltonArthur Hamilton is an American songwriter, who is best known for writing the song "Cry Me a River", first published in 1953 and most famously recorded by Julie London in 1955....
) – 5:02 - "Don't Blame MeDon't Blame Me (song)"Don't Blame Me" is a popular song with music by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The song was published in 1933.The song received two significant "rock era" remakes: a mellow ballad version by the Everly Brothers, released by Warner Bros...
" (Dorothy FieldsDorothy FieldsDorothy Fields was an American librettist and lyricist.She wrote over 400 songs for Broadway musicals and films...
, Jimmy McHughJimmy McHughJames Francis McHugh was a U.S. composer. One of the most prolific songwriters from the 1920s to the 1950s, he composed over 270 songs...
) – 5:01 - "My ManMon Homme"Mon Homme" is a popular song known by its English translation, My Man. The song was originally composed by Jacques Charles, Channing Pollack, Albert Willemetz, and Maurice Yvain.-History:...
" (Channing Pollack, Yvain-Albert, Maurice Yvain) – 5:09 - "Blue Gardenia" (Lester Lee, Bob RussellBob Russell (songwriter)Sidney Keith "Bob" Russell, was an American songwriter born in Passaic, New Jersey.In 1968, Russell along with songwriting partner Quincy Jones was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category...
) – 5:07
Personnel
Charts
Blue Gardenia reached a peak position of number one on BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Top Jazz Albums chart and held the position for at least four weeks. This entry marked James' first number one position on any Billboard chart; previously, Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday (1994) and Matriarch of the Blues (2000) had reached number two on the Top Jazz Albums and Top Blues Albums charts, respectively. The June 8, 2002 issue of Billboard, which featured year-to-date rankings between the December 1, 2001 and May 11, 2002 issues as part of the publication's "Jazz Spotlight", included Blue Gardenia at number six on the Top Jazz Albums chart.
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Top Jazz Albums |
1 |
External links
- "A Voice That Shows Every Stage of the Singer's Life", Jon Pareles' review of James' 2001 concert at B. B. King Blues Club
- Gordon Baxter's album review for Blues on Stage
- "Etta James knows something about the blues", Las Vegas Review-Journal interview published March 15, 2002