ALBUM REVIEW

THE COMPLETE UNA MAE CARLISLE AND JOHN KIRBY (1940 - 1942) - JAZZ TRIBUNE #64 -
(Black & White / RCA 2-CD set # ND 89484)

A 1992 production of BMG France, this 2-CD package covers the careers of singer/pianist Una Mae Carlisle and of band leader John Kirby on the (RCA) Bluebird label. It appears to now be out of print.

Una Mae Carlisle began an association with Fats Waller in 1932 when he invited her to play on his radio show at station WLW Cincinnati. This was over the Christmas week when Una Mae turned seventeen, on 26 December. She was still in high school, and her mother had approved her Christmas vacation in Cincinnati because she was staying with her older sister. After having a taste of the world of jazz musicians, she refused to return home and to school. She instead became a professional musician, working with Fats Waller at WLW.

When Waller's contract with WLW expired in 1934 he left for New York, but Una Mae and Fats remained in touch and occasionally worked together. She sang with him on his recording of I Can't Give You Anything But Love cut for Bluebird in November 1939.

In 1940, Una Mae began to record her best known numbers, continuing to record for Bluebird after the Waller session. Over the years she had several hits, including Walkin' By The River recorded with Benny Carter; Blitzkrieg Baby with Lester Young; I See a Million People with Charlie Shavers and John Kirby; and 'Tain't Yours with ace trumpeter Ray Nance. All but the last of these appear in this compliation.

Besides being a performer, Ms. Carlisle was also a song writer. Numbers which she wrote (in whole or part) and performed are indicated below by an asterisk(*) after the title.

This set was originally issued on LPs and apparently had extensive liner notes. Unfortunately, RCA/BMG France opted to simply use a reduced-size copy of the original album's front cover as an insert card, making the notes thereon essentially illegible, and completely depriving us of their continuation, which was originally inside the gatefold.

Still, this is good music for anyone who enjoys female jazz/blues singing. Ms. Carlisle's voice is a real treat.

Una Mae Carlisle can be seen on the video Blues And Boogie - Louis Jordan and Friends - 1941-1945, which is also reviewed on this Web site.

Disc 1 -
1. Now I Lay Me Down To Dream - Una Mae Carlisle (1940)
2. Papa's In Bed With His Britches On - Una Mae Carlisle (1940)
3. If I Had You - Una Mae Carlisle (1940)
4. You Made Me Love You - Una Mae Carlisle (1940)
5. Walkin' By The River* - Una Mae Carlisle (1940)
6. I Met You Then, I Know You Now* - Una Mae Carlisle (1940)
7. Blitzkreig Baby (You Can't Bomb Me) - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
8. Beautiful Eyes - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
9. There'll Be Some Changes Made - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
10. It's Sad But True - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
11. I See A Million People* - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
12. Oh I'm Evil - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
13. You Mean So Much To Me - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
14. The Boogie Wooglie Piggy - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
15. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
16. It Ain't Like That* - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
17. Anything - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
18. City Called Heaven - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
19. I'm The One Who Loves You - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)

Disc 2 -
1. My Wish* - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
2. Coffee And Cakes* - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
3. Moonlight Masquerade - Una Mae Carlisle (1941)
4. Don't Tetch It - Una Mae Carlisle (1942)
5. So Long Shorty* - Una Mae Carlisle (1942)
6. I'm Tryin' - Una Mae Carlisle (1942)
7. Sweet Talk* - Una Mae Carlisle (1942)
8. Close Shave - John Kirby (1941)
9. Bugler's Dilemma - John Kirby (1941)
10. It's Only A Paper Moon - John Kirby (1941)
11. Fifi's Rhapsody - John Kirby (1941)
12. Night Whispers - John Kirby (1941)
13. Tweed Me - John Kirby (1941)
14. Move Over - John Kirby (1941)
15. Wondering Where - John Kirby (1941)
16. Keep Smilin' - John Kirby (1942)
17. Comin' Back - John Kirby (1942)
18. No Blues At All - John Kirby (1942)
19. Saint Louis Blues - John Kirby (1942)
20. Saint Louis Blues - John Kirby (1942)

Copyright � 2001 - Doo Wop Gino

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Last updated 20 December 2001.

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