Looking For A Boy
The Good Life
Kathy Keegan
Produced by Bob Stephens & Tom Russell
Malibu 100
Distributed by Jay Gee Record, Co., Inc.
Printed and Fabricated by Globe Albums, New York, N.Y.
1963
From the back cover: The Good Life began with Kathy Keegan. For Kathy Keegan it began with The Good Life.
The above is not as paradoxical as it may read. Both statements are provably true. The results on either end have been great beginnings. For Kathy, this album is the anticipated, exciting conclusion of Chapter I in her career.
It really began, on both ends, when Kathy's record of The Good Life was released a few months ago. Audiences reacted immediately to the refreshing voice, the straight-forward ballad style. The song, too, was launched poignantly, powerfully. The pairing of the rich, flexible voice and the solidly-qualified material spelled good fortune for each. Kathy Keegan is now an accepted artist. The Good Life, many-times recorded by other singers since her record, has long-lasting quality.
Kathy has a simple, direct projection. She avoids mannerisms and twists. There is an easy, graceful lyricism and yet she manages to mix a deep emotionalism that comes through the appealing timbre of her voice.
All the promise and the good taste are evident here. The selection of songs, old and new, is excellent. The treatments are fresh and varied. The title song is Kathy's original version as it was arranged and conducted by George Siravo. He contributed his fine efforts to the remainder of this album.
There are two entirely different versions included on Call Me Irresponsible. It is sung in the usually-heard ballad-style and is also swung. And Kathy does swing. The melody of the title song was written by Sascha Distel. Another of his tunes, Moonlight Melody, is heard here for the first time. Michel Le Grand, another French composer, and Johnny Mercer wrote Once Upon A Summertime. It, too, is one of the best of the new songs of this season.
Steve Allen wrote a fine tune for the Broadway show, Sophie. The title I love You Today. Listen to the way Kathy gets the message through. There are other fine songs, by Julie Styne and Sammy Cahn, by the Gershwins and others. It is a fine and fertile grouping, varied and vital.
The diction and the accents are barely evident but Kathy Keegan was born and educated in Blackburn, England. Her father was a bookmaker (it's a respected profession over there) and his daughter was a singing mascot for the house owners, the trainers and the noblemen who followed the Sport of Kings. When her parents died, Kathy migrated to the United States. She had to come in under the stringent quota-regulations as a domestic. She has been both domestic and hat-check girl while gaining her early singing training.
Benefit appearances around New York brought her to Art Ford's attention. Kathy appeared on his television show. She has also been heard with Sammy Davis, Jr., Alan King, Joey Bishop, Dick Shawn and Tony Bennett.
From Billboard - September 28, 1963: Kathy Keegan who jumped into the national spotlight with a much-aired single of "The Good Life," displays on her first album a warmth and sincerity that should please devotees of the standard sound. She projects emotion and excitement reminiscent of Judy Garland and Lean Horne. Set should find ready acceptance with the deejays and buyers. "The Good Life" and "I Love You Today," among others, are sung with grace and feeling.
Don`t Ever Change
By Myself
Where Are You Running
Moonlight Melody
Call Me Irresponsible (Slow)
Once Upon A Summertime
Looking For A Boy
London By Night
I Love You Today
Guess I`ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
Call Me Irresponsible (Fast)
Is Kathy Keegan still alive? She was my Mother's cousin.
ReplyDeleteI remember her brother Joseph, who died years ago, he was very proud of her being a country singer in the U.S..
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