Beauty and the Beat!

Artist: Peggy Lee/George Shearing

Number of Discs: 1

Total time: 38:48
Label: Capitol
Availability: In stock
Item #: 5162434

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Member Price: $11.98

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Review

Upon its first release Beauty and the Beat! was billed as a live recording from a Miami convention of disc jockeys. Though Peggy Lee and George Shearing did in fact perform there (and attempts were made to record them for later release), the songs heard on the subsequent LP were recorded in the studio and overdubbed with rather obvious canned applause, announcements, and even post-production echo. Lee and Shearing, who had never recorded before, conceived a set of completely new arrangements that played to their strengths: stately blues and effervescent swing. The best of the former comes on a pair of locale-referencing quasi-blues, "I Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City" and "You Came a Long Way From St. Louis," both of which Lee and Shearing are able to transform into languorous, respectable torch songs. The usually downcast "Blue Prelude" is actually taken at a laissez faire tempo that Lee treats well, and the original set ends with "Get Out of Town" and "Satin Doll," a pair of bemused, affectionate performances that perfectly suit the pair. Lee and Shearing's only collaboration on record -- though both would occasionally perform together thereafter -- is a supremely chilled session of late-night blues from two masters of the form. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

In the 1950s, few jazz-oriented singers were as popular as Peggy Lee, while the George Shearing Quintet was one of the busiest working jazz bands around. Teaming together the singer and the group was a very logical move, particularly since both recorded for the Capitol label.

The cool-toned Lee fits in perfectly with Shearing's distinctive band, which at the time included the pianist-leader, guitarist Toots Thielemans (before he became famous as a harmonica player), vibraphonist Ray Alexander, bassist Carl Pruitt, drummer Ray Mosca and Armando Peraza guesting on conga. In addition to three instrumentals which are included for variety and to showcase Shearing's group, Lee is heard in top form on such numbers as If Dreams Come True, All Too Soon, her own There'll Be Another Spring and You Came A Long Way From St. Louis. The blend between the singer's voice and Shearing's piano is particularly appealing.

The music from the original album is augmented by two studio selections (Don't Ever Leave Me and Nobody's Heart) that were previously unreleased and make this CD The Complete Peggy Lee with George Shearing.

Easily recommended to fans of both performers.

-Scott Yanow

Do I Love You?; I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City; If Dreams Come True; All Too Soon; Mambo In Miami; Isn't It Romantic?; Blue Prelude; You Came A Long Way From St. Louis; Always True To You In My Fashion; There'll Be Another Spring; Get Out Of Town; Satin Doll; Don't Ever Leave Me; Nobody's Heart.

Peggy Lee, Vocals; George Shearing, Piano; Toots Thielemans, Guitar; Ray Alexander, Vibes; Carl Pruitt, Bass; Ray Mosca, Drums; Armando Peraza, Conga.

Tracks + Soundclips

Beauty and the Beat!
	1. Do I Love You?	3:03
	2. I Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City	2:27
	3. If Dreams Come True	2:20
	4. All Too Soon	2:35
	5. Mambo in Miami	1:42
	6. Isn't It Romantic?	2:54
	7. Blue Prelude	2:06
	8. You Came a Long Way from St. Louis	2:50
	9. Always True to You in My Fashion	1:58
	10. There'll Be Another Spring	2:23
	11. Get Out of Town	1:58
	12. Satin Doll	2:47
	13. Don't Ever Leave Me [*]	2:59
	14. Nobody's Heart [*]	2:29

Details and Credits

Product Details

Label: Capitol
Release date: 1959/04/28
Lyrics included with album

Styles

Traditional Pop
Vocal Jazz

Album Credits
Performance Credits
Armando Peraza	Conga
Carl Pruitt	Bass
George Shearing	Piano
Jimmy Bond	Bass
Peggy Lee	Vocals
Ray Alexander	Vibraphone
Ray Mosca	Drums
Roy Hayens	Drums
Toots Thielemans	Guitar
Warren Chiasson	Vibraphone