Book of Ballads

Book of Ballads
Studio album by Carmen McRae
Released	1959
Recorded	December 1–2, 1958, New York City[1]
Genre	Vocal jazz
Length	40:46
Label	Kapp KL-1117
Producer	Frank Hunter
Carmen McRae chronology
Porgy and Bess (1959) Book of Ballads (1959) When You're Away (1959)

Book of Ballads is a 1959 album by jazz singer Carmen McRae, arranged by Frank Hunter.[2][3]

Billboard chose the cover of Book of Ballads as their 'Album Cover of the Week' in their January 19, 1959 issue.[4]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

Allmusic awarded the album four stars and reviewer Jason Ankeny wrote that "The Book of Ballads in question is the Great American Songbook, and Carmen McRae breathes new life into some of its most dog-eared pages on this wonderful session..." Ankney also wrote that McRae's readings of "When I Fall in Love", "Isn't It Romantic?" and "How Long Has This Been Going On?" were sung with "...uncommon care and intelligence, summoning rich new meaning from the familiar lyrics. In her hands, the songs pulse with energy and life." Ankeny praised the album's arranger, Frank Hunter, and pianist Don Abney and his trio for their "...nuanced, evocative backings that afford McRae the necessary space to do her thing."[2]

Track listing

1. "By Myself" (Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz) – 3:12
2. "The Thrill Is Gone" (Buddy DeSylva, Ray Henderson) – 3:52
3. "How Long Has This Been Going On" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 4:0
4. "Do You Know Why?" (Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) – 2:52
5. "My Romance" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 3:53
6. "Isn't It Romantic" (Hart, Rodgers) – 3:00
7. "If Love Is Good to Me" (Redd Evans, Fred Spielman) – 3:29
8. "When I Fall In Love" (Edward Heyman, Victor Young) – 3:47
9. "Please Be Kind" (Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin) – 3:14
10. "He Was Too Good to Me" (Hart, Rodgers) – 2:41
11. "Angel Eyes" (Earl Brent, Matt Dennis) – 2:41
12. "Something I Dreamed Last Night" (Sammy Fain, Herbert Magidson) – 3:59

Personnel

• Carmen McRae – vocals
• Don Abney – piano
• Joe Benjamin – double bass
• Charlie Smith – drums
• Frank Hunter – arranger, conductor, director
• George Melluso – photographer

References

1. Leslie Gourse (2001). Carmen McRae: Miss Jazz. Billboard Books. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-8230-7904-9.
2. "Book of Ballads". AllMusic. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
3. "Carmen McRae – Book Of Ballads". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
4. "Album Cover of the Week". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 19 January 1959. p. 31. ISSN 0006-2510.