One of at least six
Mildred Bailey compilation albums with the phrase "
Rockin' Chair Lady" in the title, this 20-track overview issued by GRP in 1994 spans virtually her entire recording career from her
Paul Whiteman days (1931) to one of her very last sessions (1950). Possessed of a lovely and at times delicate voice,
Mildred Bailey specialized in Tin Pan Alley pop tunes, mostly songs of love and heartbreak. Married for a while to xylophonist and bandleader
Red Norvo, she achieved fame during the 1930s but gradually receded from the limelight after 1940. This collection of vintage recordings, which were originally released on Decca phonograph records, includes sublime interpretations of songs by
Fats Waller,
Benny Carter, Lovie Austin,
Hoagy Carmichael, and
Duke Ellington. ~ arwulf arwulf