Basin Street East

Read About This Recording

Peggy Lee was at the top of her fame and game in 1960 when she had great success at a lengthy sold-out engagement at Basin Street East. She did so well that it was decided to record her on her final night during her next stint at the club in early 1961. Because she had caught a cold, only a few of those selections were released on the resulting album, which actually mostly substituted a slightly later studio session with the same personnel, using applause from the club date to make it sound as if the entire CD were recorded on the same night.

A pop/jazz icon who had hit it big when she recorded Why Don't You Do Right with Benny Goodman in 1942, Lee had matured and grown stronger as a singer through the years. This CD is considered one of her most extroverted and spontaneous recordings. Joined by a 12-piece band, she performs such selections as Day In-Day Out, Fever, I Love Being Here With You, Them There Eyes and a Ray Charles medley with plenty of spirit, wit and power. She would continue recording and performing for the next few decades, but her Basin Street East CD is rightfully considered one of the highpoints of Peggy Lee's career.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Day in, Day Out; Moments Like This; Fever; The Second Time Around; Medley: One Kiss/My Romance/The Vagabond King Waltz; I Got a Man; Peggy Lee Bow Music; Call Me Darling*; I Love Being Here With You; But Beautiful; Them There Eyes; A Tribute to Ray Charles: Just for a Thrill/Yes Indeed; Peggy Lee Bow Music.

Peggy Lee, Vocals; Danny Stiles, Phil Sunkel, Willie Thomas, Trumpets; Mickey Gravine, Ray DeSio, Trombones; Bob Donovan, Flute; Abe Rosen, Harp; Joe Harnell, Piano; Dennis Budimir, Guitar; Max Bennett, Bass; Stan Levey, Drums; Chino Pozo, Congas/Bongos.

(*Previously unissued.)

Live recording.