Prepare To Flip! - The Signatures

 

Pete Kelly's Blues

Prepare To Flip!

The Signatures

In The House Of Brass

Conducted by Bob Prince

Warner Bros. W 1353

1959

The Signatures: Bob Alcivar, Ruth Alcivar, Don Purdy, Dottie Dunn, Hal Kratzsch

From the back cover: "Show biz" revels in memorable moments – times when artists "happen" in dramatic dynamic, big-league ways.

Garland – at the Place

Goodman – at the Paramount

Sinatra – at the Sands

The Signatures – anywhere

Perhaps never before in entertainment history has a vocal group earned such universal praise from insiders, the people who know show business best. All at once, at the turn of the decade, the professionals are talking about this talented quintet with phrases like:

"Most exciting vocal group I ever heard!"

"A five-sided jewel!"

"The group has poise, power, and top pro qualities."

"Best treat of the year for my money!"

"Amazing!"

The Signatures, in their recent travels about the country, have started most of their engagements as "just another vocal group," known only to a handful of local people who keep up with the entertainment field for professional reasons. Then, night after night, they have to "beg off" after doing two or three more encores than they had intended. Club owners, at first disturbed by upset time schedules, smile happily at unstoppable applause, excitement-filled rooms, and the rusty of soft paper in cash tills.

No doubt remains – The Signatures are "The Arrivals Of The Year!"

Now, here's your chance.

Prepare to Flip! 'Cause the songs that have been flipping night club and jazz festival audiences alike are in this album... plus!

One big plus is "The House Of Brass." That name covers a swinging combo of crackling trumpets and bed-rock trombones set up by arranger-conductor Bob Prince expressly for this album. They blow cool and hot behind the quintet, giving the group a fulsome back drop to their go-vocalizing.

The Signatures, individually and collectively, make with plenty of pluses themselves. For instances include:

The bright, brassy kickoff tune – I Get A Kick Out Of You – during with Dottie Dunn leaps into her upper register for a thrilling glissando.

Dottie's warm, wide voice and crackling gliss on Lonesome Road as she sings over Hal Kratzsch's mellophone.

Hal taking over Black Coffee, a tune tailored to his rich baritone voice. Ditto his solos on Judaline.

April In Paris, which is fast turning into the group's big show-stopper, whipping up a batch of kicks as The Signatures follow Count Basie's great arrangement to its logical, one-more-time ending.

For anyone who wasn't on board with the Sig's first flew via Warner Bros. Records, we might briefly mention that: the group is a three-boy, two-girl quintet... part of the excitement they create in person comes from the fact that all five of these extraordinary singers also play instruments... Bob Alcivar is founder, arranger, and pianist... his wife, Ruth sings and handles percussion... Hap Kratzsch sing the low parts and plays the high on trumpet or mellophone... Don Purdy plays bass as well as vocalizing... Dottie Dunn sings lead and swings on vibes.

Their versatility extends to the kinds of engagements they play and the audiences they please. Is there any gourd in the c country that can go from breaking up the Playboy Jazz Festival to three weeks at a smart supper club to a month in Las Vegas?

There's but one pice of advice left. Listen. But first, Prepare to Flip!

From Billboard - December 7, 1959: The mixed group has a fine hip vocal blend, highlighted by lead singer Dottie Dunn's versatile solo work. The three-boy, two-girl quintet provide exciting, tasteful, renditions of oldies, standards, and originals, including "Black Coffee," "I Get A Kick Out Of  You," and an excellent version of "April In Paris," styles after the Count Basie arrangement. Spinnable wax for jazz and hip pop jocks.

I Get A Kick Out Of You

I'm Beginning To See The Light

Pete Kelly's Blues

Judaline

April In Paris 

Ain't We Got Fun

The Lonesome Road

Playboy

Black Coffee

Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin'

It's A Pity To Say Goodnight