During a near-decade-long run,
June Christy's soaring and bright vocals proved to be ideal for the
Stan Kenton band's modern and idiosyncratic jazz charts. Thanks to
Pete Rugolo and
Bob Cooper's increasingly tailor-made arrangements,
Christy soon became the star attraction of the group and eventually cashed in on her own with a string of fine solo LPs. Released after her classic
Something Cool and
The Misty Miss Christy albums, this ten-song solo collection is comprised of updated
Christy-
Kenton favorites like "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin," "Across the Alley from the Alamo," and "The Lonesome Road." Nearly matching his stellar work on many earlier
Christy albums,
Rugolo handles the charts and conducts a large group of
Kenton veterans like
Cooper, drummer
Shelly Manne, and trombonists Milt Bernhardt and
Frank Rosolino. Other jazz luminaries such as guitarist
Jim Hall, bassist
Red Callender, trumpeter
Russ Freeman, and saxophonist
Paul Horn round out the band.
June Christy Recalls Those Kenton Days might not rate with
Something Cool or
The Misty Miss Christy as a first-disc choice, but it is still a must for serious
June Christy fans. ~ Stephen Cook