Susan Barrett

 

Más Que Nada

Susan Barrett

New Singing Sensation

Arranged and Conducted buy Marion Evans

Produced by Paul Robinson

Liner Photos by Didier Dorst

Recorded in Webster Hall, New York City

Recording Engineer: Mickey Crofford

RCA Victor LPS-3738

1967

From the back cover: Last summer, when I was preparing an article about new talent for the magazine, an enterprising RCA actor man brought four unedited 45-rpm sides to my attention. I heard, in those exploratory sides, several sirens proclaiming Susan Barrett's potential, and, in an August 27th, 1966, issue, mentioned that the firm might soon record the attractive blonde in a collection of worthy show-tune material. This became fact in a series of Webster Hall, New York, studio session during early November – one of which I attended. On November 21, Susan rocked the foundation of the Los Angeles Cocoanut Grove. Witness the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner (Glenn Hawkins): "Patrons whistled, shouted for encores, and gave her a standing ovation." The Los Angeles Times (John L. Scott): "Her assets include beauty and youthful zest, and a singing voice that with careful handling should make her a star... Miss Barrett sings thoughtfully and carefully, revealing a smooth, natural voice that is especially rich in the lower register." Daily Variety (Whit): "...audience paid her rapt attention... the sort of vibrant thrush who fits in the groove for every-age audiences... her delivery is easy, backed with charm and a fresh personality." Hollywood Reporter (Hank Grant): "...wall-to-wall full house at the Grove debut. For those of us watching her in the flesh for the first time, it came as a surprise to see this delectable honey-blonde dish... display a brilliant singing style and vocal savvy that belie her tender years." Variety (Whit: "... despite her youth – 23 – she regulated authority as she constantly changed her style."

Let me echo the endorsements of these reviewers. You'll join us as you settle back to "meet Susan Barrett.": When she toys with the show tune, the tone is real silk and iridescence – no synthetics within miles; when she's contemporary she has the zip of a campus hop; when she's melodically introspective, she's a new Little Girl Blue. It's more to the point that you hear her than read me, but I'll stress that, with the Susan Barretts, the era of the vocalist with the tiny, thin timbre is out, the reign of the wide-range, true pop singer is very much in. Listen especially to the sultry tenderness of the daring and dramatic reading of April Showers, Entry Time We Say Goodbye, It Had To Be You, Bewitched, I'll Only Miss Him When I Think Of Him and My Man; however, don't short-change Susan's sprightly Walking Happy or the delicious I want To  Be Happy. She is fortunate to possess a voice rich and sun-shot, high noon at command, but capable of "quick-changing" for the mysterious, sable shadows of evening. Twelve hits: no misses.

When Susan Barrett counts her blessing, she's sure to remember Paul Robinson, the producer of this album, and Marion Evans, its brilliantly sensitive arranger. She 'wants to by happy" and to make us happy.

It's a cinch. – Greer Johnson - Music Editor, CUE Magazine

From Billboard - March 25, 1967: If this RCA Victor album debut is any indication, Miss Barrett has the promise of an exciting career ahead. She displays great versatility in beautifully balanced program. A bluesy rendition of "Sunny" is contested by a sprightly "I Want To Be Happy" and then followed by an emotion-packed "My Man." Exceptional programming fare sure to reap good sales.

Walking Happy

Sunny

The Carnival Is Closed Today

I Want To Be Happy

It Had To Be You

My Man (Mon Homme)

You'd Better Love Me

Bewitched

Más Que Nada

Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

I'll Only Miss Him When I Think Of Him

April Showers