Pick Yourself Up with Anita O'Day

Read About This Recording

Pick Yourself Up represents a golden moment in time that highlights Anita O'Day offering some of her best work in the prime of a blossoming career. She earned a reputation as an outstanding jazz vocalist during the 1950s, which was not an easy task considering such vocal divas as Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday were all burning up bandstands around the country with their definitive styles. Despite these singers awe-inspiring vocals, O'Day possesses some mesmerizing magic of her own that is quite apparent on these 21 gems.

No, she doesn't have a very high range or a haunting intensity but her ballads are initiated with a warm sincerity and she swings with a distinct rhythmic flow. O'Day has a smooth mid-range timbre, an easy identifiable sound that turns every song into a new exciting joyful ride. She reconstructs Let's Face the Music and Dance with swinging Latin rhythms with a rousing solo by guitarist Barney Kessel. O'Day has a unique way of infusing life into her ballads, her interpretations fill listeners with heartfelt sensitivity without drowning them in sorrow or pity as noted on I Never Had A Chance and I'm Not Lonely (previously unissued). Her take on Sweet Georgia Brown is a real delight.

Anita O'Day is one of America's most renowned jazz singers and this collaboration with arranger, conductor Buddy Bregman (Orchestra) will provide great listening pleasure for all newcomers and dedicated fans.

-Ron Scott

Contents

Don't Be That Way; Let's Face The Music And Dance; I Never Had A Chance; Stompin' At The Savoy; Pick Yourself Up; Stars Fell On Alabama; Sweet Georgia Brown; I Won't Dance; Man With A Horn; I Used To Be Color Blind; There's A Lull In My Life; Let's Begin; I'm With You; The Rock 'n' Roll Waltz; The Getaway And The Chase; You Picture's Hanging Crooked On The Wall; We Laughed At Love; I'm Not Lonely; Let's Face The Music And Dance*; Ivy; Stars Fell On Alabama*.

(*Includes Alternate Takes)

Anita O'Day, Vocals; Harry Sweets Edison, Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Linn, Lloyd Ulyate, Trumpets; Larry Bunker, Drums, Percussion; Paul Smith, Piano; Barney Kessel, Al Hendrickson, Guitars; Joe Mondragon, Bass; Alvin Stoller, Drums; George Roberts, Frank Rosolino, Trombones; Herb Geller, Sax; Bud Shank, Flute, Alto Sax; George Auld, Bob Cooper, Tenor Saxes; Jimmy Giuffre, Clarinet; Buddy Bregman, Arranger; Buddy Bregman Orchestra.