Tuesday 20 January 2015

Pretty Eyes – PEGGY LEE****

As You Desire Me/It Could Happen To You/Pretty Eyes/Moments Like This/Remind Me/You Fascinate Me So/I Wanna Be Loved/I’m Walking Through Heaven With You/I Remember You/Too Close For Comfort/In Other Words/Because I Love Him So

Pretty Eyes, from jazz legend Peggy Lee, features many of the less well known tunes from the American Songbook, sung with romance in mind. Arranged by Billy May.

“This album shows Peggy in her prime. Pretty Eyes has got to be one of her best recordings. The arrangements by Billy May, with lush, beautiful strings, are sweet but never overdone, gentle but driving rhythms, and on top of it all Peggy sings as if she's trying to seduce the listener. Gorgeous."

Pretty Eyes shows Peggy's seductive voice at it's most romantic, including lovely versions of I Remember You and In Other Words, done very slowly. Most of the other songs are obscure gems from the Great American Songbook. Peggy knew which songs suited her style and didn't mind whether they were famous or not. Her song selection was always impeccable. So many gorgeous tunes on this album. Peggy is so seductive here. A delight for anyone who loves marvellous vocals.”

It Could Happen To You features Peggy Lee singing at her best with an orchestration that makes great use of the strings. Peggy never misses a note on this classic love ballad. Pretty Eyes starts with the strings playing beautifully, and when Peggy comes in this number positively takes flight. Peggy's excellent diction bolsters her performance too. Listen also for I Wanna Be Loved, Peggy delivers another love ballad flawlessly with all her heart and soul.”

“Peggy Lee remains one of the very greatest female vocalists ever. I highly recommend this for Peggy's fans and anyone who enjoys classic pop vocals.”

“Peggy Lee was a great singer, always with quality arrangements. All the tunes on Pretty Eyes are romantic. Yes, this is candle light stuff.” “This album is beautiful. Peggy's singing is so soft and really brings such a presence to these recordings. Billy May's arrangements are perfect, with the sweeping strings, and the woodwinds make for some magical stuff.”

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