I am looking to get into some great vocal jazz/pop music from the '40s-'60s. I've got Sinatra's Capitol albums, most of Billie's pre Verve material and most of Ella's Verve albums but who else should I try? I'm just starting to get some Sarah Vaughan but it seems like much of her material is out of print. Dinah Washington and Mel Torme are on my list and I've got a little Nat King Cole but his discography is so huge it's tough to know where to go next.

Generally I prefer albums over compilations unless it is a comprehensive collection (like the Billie Holiday Columbia box).

So, anyone have any recommendations for me?

I'm waiting for the day when Sarah gets a comprehensive collection ala Lady Day's Columbia/Decca/Commodore boxets.

Since you prefer albums as opposed to compilations, here're afew,,,,

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415BBMaA0JL._SL500_AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i44.servimg.com/u/f44/11/44/89/15/nina_s20.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://991.com/newgallery/Dinah-Washington-Sings-Fats-Waller-548799.jpg[/img:$uid]

And while these two collection are not comprehensive, I personally can't stress enough about how they should be within close reach, just for the sake of their sheer versetality,,,

[img:$uid]http://www.jpc.de/image/w600/front/0/0602527469935.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://image.maniadb.com/images/album/236/236117_1_f.jpg[/img:$uid]

Holiday. Washington. Vaughan. Fitzgerald. Sinatra. Torme. Cole.

In that order.

[Edited 12/3/11 19:03pm]

I should also mention these ladies since they rarely get mentioned alongside Lady, Dinah and Sarah, even though they should be,,,,

[img:$uid]http://991.com/newGallery/Helen-Humes-Songs-I-Like-To-S-361514.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.israbox.com/uploads/posts/2011-04/1302344940_folder.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.jazz.com/assets/2008/1/8/albumcoverBettyCarter-RoundMidnight.jpg?1199776680[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://image.betamonline.com/sdimages/disk17/434489.jpg[/img:$uid]

The latter is more R&B than Jazz, but when she did the standards, she really put her foot down.

And as far as comprehensive collections, I just remembered,,,,,

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FPY009X0L._SL500_AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid]

To me, he's the greatest male vocalist ever, Billie Holiday said once in a radio interview shortly before she passed away that all she listened to were Lester Young & Little Jimmy Scott records.

And lemme mention this one for good measure,,,,

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XJASQR9PL.jpg[/img:$uid]

Its a shame how so-called Jazz historians treated all of the above.

Harlepolis said:

I should also mention these ladies since they rarely get mentioned alongside Lady, Dinah and Sarah, even though they should be,,,,

[img:$uid]http://991.com/newGallery/Helen-Humes-Songs-I-Like-To-S-361514.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.israbox.com/uploads/posts/2011-04/1302344940_folder.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.jazz.com/assets/2008/1/8/albumcoverBettyCarter-RoundMidnight.jpg?1199776680[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://image.betamonline.com/sdimages/disk17/434489.jpg[/img:$uid]

The latter is more R&B than Jazz, but when she did the standards, she really put her foot down.

And as far as comprehensive collections, I just remembered,,,,,

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FPY009X0L._SL500_AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid]

To me, he's the greatest male vocalist ever, Billie Holiday said once in a radio interview shortly before she passed away that all she listened to were Lester Young & Little Jimmy Scott records.

And lemme mention this one for good measure,,,,

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XJASQR9PL.jpg[/img:$uid]

Its a shame how so-called Jazz historians treated all of the above.

Jimmy Scott & Billy Eckstine definitely rank up there to me too.

Harlepolis said:

I should also mention these ladies since they rarely get mentioned alongside Lady, Dinah and Sarah, even though they should be,,,,

Ah, these are mostly ones that I never would have thought of and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

Wow, I just noticed that amazon Canada has a used copy of the four disc Young Sassy box for $8.99 ($12.48 with shipping). I buy from that seller often and their discs are always in great shape. Seems like quite a bargain!

[Edited 12/4/11 2:38am]

rialb said:

Harlepolis said:

I should also mention these ladies since they rarely get mentioned alongside Lady, Dinah and Sarah, even though they should be,,,,

Wow, I just noticed that amazon Canada has a used copy of the four disc Young Sassy box for $8.99 ($12.48 with shipping). I buy from that seller often and their discs are always in great shape. Seems like quite a bargain!

[Edited 12/4/11 2:38am]

Great bargain for such a valuble collection. Get the Dinah boxet or "Queen Sings" which has exactly the same tracklist but cheaper due to packaging(its the same label that did the "Young Sassy" boxet btw).

Hope you enjoy as I still do.

AlexdeParis said:

Ella is my favorite. You can get all of the songbooks in 1 box set or get them individually.

I am painfully close to having all of her Verve albums. I think I'm good from 1956-1964 but I am missing Ella at Duke's Place and two live double albums plus the live album from Japan that was recently released. The four disc Twelve Nights box is awesome!

Any advice on where one should start with her pre Verve recordings? There are a ton of compilations and it can be tough to know where to start.

Harlepolis said:

rialb said:

Wow, I just noticed that amazon Canada has a used copy of the four disc Young Sassy box for $8.99 ($12.48 with shipping). I buy from that seller often and their discs are always in great shape. Seems like quite a bargain!

[Edited 12/4/11 2:38am]

Great bargain for such a valuble collection. Get the Dinah boxet or "Queen Sings" which has exactly the same tracklist but cheaper due to packaging(its the same label that did the "Young Sassy" boxet btw).

Hope you enjoy as I still do.

I have had my eye on that Dinah Washington box. I think I'll try to spring for the "good" version. I'm guessing that the packaging and liner notes will be a bit better.

rialb said:

AlexdeParis said:

Ella is my favorite. You can get all of the songbooks in 1 box set or get them individually.

I am painfully close to having all of her Verve albums. I think I'm good from 1956-1964 but I am missing Ella at Duke's Place and two live double albums plus the live album from Japan that was recently released. The four disc Twelve Nights box is awesome!

Any advice on where one should start with her pre Verve recordings? There are a ton of compilations and it can be tough to know where to start.

I need to invest in her music as well, I only have a compilation that have her "War Years" records and the stuff she did with Chick Webb.

I have my eyes set on this upcoming release though: http://www.amazon.com/Com...amp;sr=1-5

Pricey, but looks like its worth it.

Sinatra

Dean Martin

Ella

Sara Vaughan

Nancy Wilson

Peggy Lee

Harlepolis said:

rialb said:

I am painfully close to having all of her Verve albums. I think I'm good from 1956-1964 but I am missing Ella at Duke's Place and two live double albums plus the live album from Japan that was recently released. The four disc Twelve Nights box is awesome!

Any advice on where one should start with her pre Verve recordings? There are a ton of compilations and it can be tough to know where to start.

I need to invest in her music as well, I only have a compilation that have her "War Years" records and the stuff she did with Chick Webb.

I have my eyes set on this upcoming release though: http://www.amazon.com/Com...amp;sr=1-5

Pricey, but looks like its worth it.

Wow, fourteen discs for sixty-five dollars? Sounds like an amazing deal! I'm guessing there are probably some alternate takes that are not included but who cares!

How about Nat King Cole? I've got the World of album from a few years back but what should I get next? Are the twofers of his Capitol albums worth exploring?