Julie Is Her Name Vol.1 & Vol.2

In 1955, Julie London's British mezzo melted the hearts and spines of thousands. From the opening notes of "Cry Me a River," with Barney Kessel's silky chords shimmering around her, London took the sultry approach and smoldered through classics such as "I Should Care," "I'm Glad There Is You," "Gone With the Moon," "Easy Street," and others. London could sing, but her sex appeal overtook the material. London oozed sex appeal to the degree that her lyrics just dripped from her mouth like honey. Needless to say, the set took off like a rocket. Three years later, looking for another hit, she recorded a second volume with Howard Roberts on guitar and Red Mitchell on bass. The material was drawn from likewise sultry sources, but London's voice had matured so the vocal performances matched the sexiness. And while not so hot emotionally, vocally, the second set -- with Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love," Irving Berlin's "I Got Lost in His Arms," and Johnny Mercer's "Goody-Goody" -- swings much more and created pretty much the same reaction. London's voice, which has undergone several revivals from movies to books to dance clubs, is considered among the most evocative of the time period, and the epitome of sexual promise. ~ Thom Jurek|