Anita O'Day Vol.4 1944

During the year 1944, vocalist Anita O'Day worked for the up-and-coming Capitol record label. Volume four in the meticulously complete Masters of Jazz Anita O'Day chronology demonstrates how this resulted in two distinctive types of recordings, as she is heard backed by the hip, intimate King Cole Trio and the conspicuously stylized Stan Kenton Orchestra. The five Trio selections are marvelously warm and seem quite dignified as compared with the affectedly pretentious big-band sides. It's not surprising that this singer did not stay with Kenton for very long; despite the undeniable charm of a record like "The Lady in Red" as well as the success of And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine, the existence of a cheap novelty like "Tabby the Cat" epitomizes the patently un-hip aspect of Kenton's Capitol fiefdom. Small wonder that she went back to Gene Krupa for a minute and then took her first steps towards becoming one of the definitive jazz vocalists of the '50s. ~ arwulf arwulf|