This is an eclectic compilation of songs from albums
Billy Eckstine cut for Mercury in the late '50s and during the '60s. During this period
Eckstine recorded with a number of different groups, with regard to both personnel and style, and the best of them are represented on this disc. There's the large orchestra of
Eckstine's former musical director for over 40 years,
Bobby Tucker, on "Somehow" and "On Green Dolphin Street" which frame the lushness of
Eckstine's mellow, silky baritone.
Eckstine also collaborates with a smaller group resulting in more of a jazzy feel. On "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues" and "Lullaby of the Leaves" he teams with a small group led by
Pete Rugolo. On the former cut, you can hear the lyrical trumpet of
Don Fagerquist behind
Eckstine.
Fagerquist's trumpet has enhanced the albums of many vocalists over his career including
Ella Fitzgerald,
Jeri Southern, and
June Christy. "Lullaby of the Leaves," done as a medium swing piece, features
Larry Bunker's vibes and Gerry Wiggins' understated piano. A large band directed by
Quincy Jones is behind
Eckstine on one of the highlights of the album, the
Duke Ellington medley. The
Jones' aggregation is loaded with some of the top sidemen of the era including
Joe Newman on trumpet,
Britt Woodman on trombone and
Phil Woods on alto. There's a "Hits Medley" featuring tunes especially associated with
Eckstine headed by "Everything I Have Is Yours." Some cuts may be over-arranged, and too lush and pop-oriented for jazz vocal aficionados, such as "I Wanna Talk About You," replete with strings and women's chorus. However, these in no way detract from the overall attractiveness of the album. While
Eckstine's Mercury albums of this period didn't reach the musical heights of his more jazz/bop-oriented work during the late '40s; they nonetheless testify to
Eckstine's strong, vibrant voice -- a strength that made him one of the most popular vocalists of the era. ~ Dave Nathan