Peggy Lee's Miss Peggy Lee and The Singles Collection box sets didn't come close to compiling all or even most of her Capitol singles, so
Rare Gems and Hidden Treasures provides listeners with an additional serving of seldom-heard singles and unreleased recordings. Several examples of her intimate vocal jazz performances are included, but many of the recordings are uncharacteristic and offbeat. "Every Night" is a mild rock & roll recording that was
Lee's first single upon returning to Capitol after a stint with Decca, and "Light of Love" conveys its uplifting message in a gospel style.
Lee's performance of the exotic "Similau" yielded a chart hit, and "While We're Young" is presented in a new transfer from disc because of the degradation of the original tape. The most unusual selection is
Lee's original "Blum Blum, I Wonder Who I Am," on which she sings in a variety of cartoon voices and accents over a
Spike Jones-like arrangement. Nothing else in her catalog is quite as strange, with the possible exception of "Mr. Magoo Does the Cha Cha Cha" (not included). Until a series of complete-recordings box sets appears,
Rare Gems and Hidden Treasures fills some gaps for
Lee's most ardent fans. ~ Greg Adams