I'm Wild Again - Frances Faye

 

Love For Sale

I'm Wild Again

Frances Faye

Orchestra Conducted by Russ Garcia

Engineer: Thorne Nogar

Cover Design: Burt Goldblatt

Bethlehem Records BCP-23

1955

Trombone - Herbie Harper, Tommy Pederson and "Two Others"

Piano - Jerry Wiggins

Guitar - Al Hendrickson

Bass - Red Mitchell

Drums - Chico Hamilton

From the back cover: To say that Frances Faye has a distinctively fresh approach to music is to understate the case, as those who have heard her "in person" performances will attest. Yet, for some undetermined reason, this freshness has gone unexplored by the record industry. It remained until now to capture the real Frances Faye on record. Here at last is the fabulous Faye style – light, casual and always entertaining – properly recorded and supported by musicians whose interpretive "know how" provides an excellent balance for her unique delivery. Certainly no novice to the entertainment field (she's been singing for years) that is the first record date which, in her own words, has "made me happy"! The tunes presented here are, for the most part, time tested standards. Yet each rendition has its own appealing twist without loss of the vitality and melodic warmth which have earmarked these tunes for immortality. The highlight of this performance is the "medley" – a collection of fine tunes of varying tempos which Miss Faye serves up in dividend portions, ranging from a complete and heartwarming reading of "Little Girl Blue" to a quick ending three word quote from "Bewitched". To me knowledge this is the first time that such an important part of a club entertainer's repertoire has been so successfully recorded. This is an exact demonstration of Miss Faye's relaxed and intimate club format and might well serve as a standard for subsequent ventures.

The orchestral compositions is unique enough in itself but it's virtually a pioneer framework to showcase vocal talent. Four trombones and a standard rhythm section provide a scintillating backdrop for the over-all impact of this album, as well as some high caliber solo performances that are, in fact, an added bonus to an already stellar attraction. The trombones are in the capable hands of Tommy Pederson, Herbie Harper and "Two Others". Herbie is heard on "These Foolish Things" and "Out Of This World", on both of which he supplies 16 bars of inventive and melodic trombone. "I've Got You Under My Skin" presents variation on the familiar "Dancero" theme and features the distinctive trombone  of one of the "Two Others". On "September In The Rain" they put together a four way trombone break with Herbie taking the first chorus, Tommy the last and the middle sixteen split between the "Two Others".

The rhythm section of Jerry Wiggins' piano, Al Hendrickson's guitar, Red Mitchell's bass and Chico Hamilton's drums is a perfect combination of unity and subtlety – rocking the ensemble throughout, yet equally polite during the vocal passages. While Al and Chico are almost entirely confined to section work, Jerry and Red contribute some tasteful by-play on "Somebody Love Me". 

Special kudos are in order for Russ Garcia who arranged and conducted the entire musical score. His invaluable contribution is readily apparent. 

Toreador: This seldom heard melody by Mary and Norman Kaye is given the full Latin-American treatment with Chico Hamilton from start to finish.

They Can't Take That Away From Me: Here's the Gershwin standard done here in medium tempo with a blues-like obligato by Jerry Wiggins.

All Of A Sudden My Heart Sings: This is Frances Faye "selling" a song in the full use of the term. The trombone choir is perfectly adapted to this tune and the result is unusually dramatic and interesting.

Love For Sale: Once again the Latin-American motif lends itself to this Cole Porter standard. Of all the tunes selected for this date, this is the only one in which Miss Faye sings the infrequently heard verse.

Here, then, is a milestone in vocal recording. This is a happy combination of the ideal vocalist working under ideal circumstances to give us the full benefit of both. Frances Faye is a real trouper in every sense of the word, and it is to her undying credit that in this age of singers of every kind and description, her gimmick-less formula is sturdy enough to warrant this album. Listen to Frances Faye – you'll see what we mean. – Joe Quinn

Toreador

They Can't Take That Away From Me

He's Funny That Way

I've Got You Under My Skin

All Of The Sudden My Heart Sings

Somebody Loves Me

September In The Rain

These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You

Love For Sale

Merely: Little Girl Blue / Where Or When / Embraceable You / Exactly Like You / I Don't Know Why / My Funny Valentine / Bewitched

Clear Out Of This World