4 Classic Albums I'm Shooting High / Many Moods Of Ann Richards / Two Much / Ann Man

Ann Richards is perhaps the least known of the singers associated with Stan Kenton, and this is unfortunate, as she might be the best of them in terms of vocal range and control. It is possible that her debut came too late, in the late 50's, as jazz (and especially the big-band variety) was losing its importance in American culture. There are shades of June Christy in Richards's voice, but with greater technical assurance (which is not to lessen Christy, who was capable of true existential depth and despair in her songs, precisely because of her "imperfections"). These are truly wonderful records, especially "Ann, Man!," with its thrilling version of "You Go to My Head." Richards deserved a better life and a successful career. All we can do for her now is make sure that she is remembered, and in that regard, this set of her complete studio recordings fulfills an important task, making her work available again to contemporary listeners. Unfortunately, there is a sound distortion at the beginning of "You Go to My Head" that is not in the original. How could this have been overlooked? It mars what is arguably the masterpiece in this whole collection. So careless! Listeners will have to supplement by buying the re-issue of "Ann, Man!" by Collectables Jazz Classics, where the distortion is not present. (In addition to Richards's amazing singing in this album, there is the added beauty of guitar by Barney Kessel, trumpet by Jack Sheldon, bass by Red Callender, and drums by Larry Bunker--what a group of superb musicians!)

AVID AMSC 1239 features four albums by Ann Richards, who began singing on the West Coast in the mid-fifties, and had a brief stint with Charlie Barnet’s band. She drew the attention of (and married) Stan Kenton, who secured her a Capitol contract, which produced “I’m Shooting High” (1958), “The Many Moods of…” (1960) and “Two Much!” (1961. She had a powerful voice, which she pitted competently against the big band arrangements, but my preference is for the fourth album, “Ann, Man!” on ATCO, which featured a sympathetic backing quartet including Barney Kessel, whose solo guitar is the sole accompaniment on the final track. Sound quality is excellent, and this is a very attractive package, just like the lady herself.

Ann Richards has a pretty small discography and these 4 albums are certainly among the best of her relatively short recording career; three have her featured with a big band/orchestra and the dynamic, assured style of her singing is well-suited to such a setting; stylish, but not a showy, excessively scatting vocalist, she is very much to my taste in her delivery.The fourth album in this 2-disc set has her in the more intimate setting of a quartet backing with Jack Sheldon on trumpet.The albums are from 1958-1961 and as is usual with Avid they have been sourced from original LPs with limited remastering, but the sound quality is fine for a normal sound set-up.The CDs have playing times of 69.57 minutes and 80.20 minutes; click on the blue highlighted mp3 link in the AutoRip section above to hear the sound samples if the feature is still available.

Chanteuse énergique avec une personnalité bien trempée, j'aime beaucoup

Wow just wow a voice to die for ,such purety and clear diction and the band is amazing , we it is mainly kenton .wonderful music of a singer who I think needs much more exposure and these four albums will certainly do that .do your self a favour and if you like big band and swinging in vocals buy this