Cat Stevens   “Teaser and the Firecat”   A&M Records   (1971) “Peace Train”   “Morning Has Broken.” “The Wind,” “Moonshadow,” “If I Laugh,” “Rubylove,” “How Can I Tell You,” “Bitterblue,” “Changes IV” and “Tuesday’s Dead”     It is also the title of a children’s book written and illustrated by Cat Stevens.   The story features the title characters from the album cover, top-hatted young Teaser and his pet Firecat, who attempt to put the moon back in its place after it falls from the sky.

(61 votes, average: 3.49 out of 5)

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Nina Simone (1933-2003) “Sings the Blues”   RCA Victor Records   (1967)     “Do I Move You?”, “In the Dark,” “Day and Night,” “My Man’s Gone Now,”   “I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl,” “Backlash Blues,” (a civil rights song written by her friend the poet Langston Hughes) and “The House of the Rising Sun”   (Nina first recorded this song in 1962.   After The Animals version became a hit she re-recorded this faster version.)   Musicians here include   Eric Gale , Rudy Stevenson (guitar); Buddy Lucas (harmonica, tenor saxophone); Bob Bushnell (6-string bass); Ernie Hayes (Organ), Bernard “Pretty” Purdie (drums).     (Editors note: I saw Nina live at Carnegie Hall in 1991 or 92.   You could hear a pin drop.   The place was like a cathedral.   It was magical.)

(72 votes, average: 4.08 out of 5)

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Debbie Reynolds   MGM Records E.P. (U.K.)

(51 votes, average: 3.98 out of 5)

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Tom Jones   “Hide and Seek”   / “Love Me Tonight”   London Records EP   (Japan)

(36 votes, average: 3.97 out of 5)

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Brigitte Bardot   “Harley Davidson”

(68 votes, average: 4.29 out of 5)

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“Shakin’ Up Vegas”   The Tony Pastor Show   Capitol Records   Recorded live at the Stardust Hotel

(79 votes, average: 4.47 out of 5)

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Mel Torme with the Marty Paich Dek-tette   Bethlehem Records (1956)   Design by Burt Goldblatt   // Pete Candoli, Don Fagerquist (tp) Bob Enevoldsen (vtb) John Cave, Vince DeRosa (frh) Albert Pollan (tu) Bud Shank (as) Bob Cooper, Jack Montrose (ts) Jack Dulong (bars) Marty Paich (p) Red Mitchell (b) Mel Lewis (d) Mel Torme (vo)

Lulu’s Back In Town / When The Sun Comes Out / I Love To Watch The Moonlight / Fascinating Rhythm / The Blues / The Carioca / The Lady Is A Tramp / I Like To Recognize The Tune Keeping Myself For You / Lullaby Of Birdland / When April Comes Again / Sing For Your Supper

(59 votes, average: 4.03 out of 5)

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The Wellesley Widows

(79 votes, average: 4.24 out of 5)

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This is Sinatra! Captiol Records (1957)   Track listing: I’ve Got The World On A String/Three Coins In The Fountain/Love And Marriage/From Here To Eternity/South Of The Border/Rain (Falling From The Skies)/The Gal That Got Away/Young-At-Heart/Learnin’ The Blues/My One And Only Love/(Love Is) The Tender Trap/Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me (Nelson Riddle arranges and conducts all of the selections except for “South Of The Border” which was with Billy May)

Billed in the liner notes as “a dozen of his recent and best hits,” This Is Sinatra! rounds up the pick of his 1953-6 singles and B-sides; it was part of a running Capitol promotional series (other This Is… albums featuring Dean Martin, Nat “King” Cole and so forth).

About “”Learnin’ the Blues” the notes refer to “the rhythmic and torchy lesson Frank taught willing millions via juke boxes, record stores and disc jockeys”     Listen to Harry Edison’s trumpet and Red Norvo’s vibes.   It’s clear that Sinatra is suffering: “But you can’t forget her/Soon you even stop trying”

Here is 1955’s “Learnin’ The Blues”:  

(42 votes, average: 3.19 out of 5)

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Tammi Terrell   “Irresistible”   Motown Records (1969)   “Irresistible” is a collection of Tammi’s solo releases including “I Cried,” “I Can’t Believe You Love Me” and “Come On And See Me.” “All I Do” which is my favorite Tammi Terrell solo recording, wasn’t released until 2002 in the UK (in the compilation A Cellarful of Motown!).

The song was written for her in 1966 by a sixteen year-old Stevie Wonder (with Clarence Paul and Morris Broadnax), and was recorded that year by Tammi and also by Brenda Holloway (also not released until 2005).   Stevie Wonder finally released his own version on the 1980 album “Hotter Than July.”   (Michael Jackson, Eddie Levert and Walter Williams of the O’Jays, Charie and Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band and Betty Wright all provided background vocals!)

Tammi began her singing career in 1960.   In 1967, she met Marvin Gaye.   Their eternally beautiful and romantic duets include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Your Precious Love”, “You’re All I Need To Get By”, “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You”, “If This World Were Mine” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” !

In late 1967, she collapsed on stage with Marvin and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.   After eight surgeries failed to save her, Tammi passed away in March of 1970, causing Marvin Gaye to sequester himself from the studio until he returned with “What’s Goin’ On” in 1971.   Worse yet, her illness and death at just 24 years-old prevented her from realizing her potential as a solo artist.   “All I Do” is nice way to remember her.

(55 votes, average: 3.84 out of 5)

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