SR-60111: The Queen! / Dinah Washington

	Label Type :	black Mercury type C (large oval)
	Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	SR 60111A MS1    B1    I
		SIDE-B	SR 60111B MS1    A1    I

Comments

Equivalent release: Mercury MG-20439 (mono).

This title was originally intended for release as EmArcy MG-36149. However, it was cancelled for a certain reason, and re-assigned as Mercury MG-20439 / SR-60111.

Dead-wax stamps shows that it was pressed at the RCA Victor's Indianapolis plant.

Inside The Groove

The Queen Dinah's compilation from several sessions varying from 1955 to 1958.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

This album, originally intended for release as EmArcy MG-36149, is a compilation of Dinah Washington's various sessions.

The earliest tracks are A-5, B-2 and B-6, recorded back in December 1955. Backing instrumental is not tight and Dinah's singing shows some inperfection. Interestingly, this session was taped by two-track recorders - which means this stereo LP SR-60111 contains true stereo, although the mixing is bad and probably not indended for stereo release. I guess this stereo recording session was just for experimentation.

The next track is B-1, recorded on October 4, 1957, from the same session as “Sings Fats Waller” album (EmArcy MG-36119 / SR-80011), which is definitely her nice album.

A-1, A-2, A-3, A-6, B-3 and B-5 were recorded in similar period (October and November 1957) as B-1, originally for 45rpm single session (71389x45). A-6 “Back Water Blues” was re-recorded on “Sings Bessie Smith” (EmArcy MG-36130), but this November 1957 version sounds tighter and better. Nice ensemble and vocal performance.

A-4 and B-4 were recorded on January 20, 1958. These tracks sounds so corny as heard on “Sings Bessie Smith” (EmArcy MG-36130), but Dinah's singing is (of course) great as always.

Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

7 out of 10

Track Listing

Personnel

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)

A-5, B-2, B-6:
Dinah Washington (vo),
unknown (fl), unknown section (brass),
Wynton Kelly (p), unknown (b), unknown (ds).
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA, December 1955.

B-1:
Dinah Washington (vo) with:
Ernie Royal (tp), Johnny Coles (tp) Joe Newman (tp), Reunald Jones (tp),
Sonny Russo (tb), Melba Liston (tb), Julian Priester (tb), Rod Levitt (b-tb),
Jerome Richardson (as, fl), Sahib Shihab (as),
Frank Wess (ts), Benny Golson (ts), Eddie Chamblee (ts, vo on B-5), Charlie Davis (bs),
Jack Wilson (p), Freddie Green (g), Richard Evans (b), Charlie Persip (ds),
Wesley Landers (perc),
Ernie Wilkins (arr, dir).
Recorded at Fine Sound Studios, New York City on October 4, 1957.

A-1, A-2, A-3, A-6, B-3, B-5:
Dinah Washington (vo) with Eddie Chamblee (ts) Orchestra,
including tps, tbs, saxes, p, g, b, ds.
Ernie Wilkins (arr).
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, IL, October-November, 1957.

A-4, B-4:
Dinah Washington (vo) with:
Fortunatus Fip Richard (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Eddie Chamblee (ts), Charles Davis (bs),
Jack Wilson (p), Robert Lee Wilson (b), James Slaughter (ds).
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, IL on January 20, 1958.

The Artist Also Appears on...