The MG Album Club #38: Doris Day & Andre Previn - Duet

[Ojai Sam]

Doris Day & Andre Previn - Duet (1962)

Doris Day was an incredibly prolific recording artist. Bear Family eventually released all of her Columbia material in four massive boxes encompassing some 24 discs. But for all that, her records are remembered, if at all, for "Que Sera Sera". As a result, many gems in her huge catalog remain hidden, this being a notable example.

In 1962, Doris and Andre were both Hollywood mainstays but had never worked together. In contrast to her usual massive studio orchestras, Doris was backed here with an elegantly simple trio: just Previn, Red Mitchell and Frank Capp. Zeeba has shown us Previn's piano chops before. But this album, recorded in a single afternoon, reveals Day herself to be an outstanding jazz singer on a seamless mix of familiar songs and Previn originals. As you would expect, the overall tone is both romantic and melodic but the subtle arrangements bring out an emotional range that commands close listening.

Note to collectors: try to find the scarce Collectables CD release. It has five bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

on the Sam-O-Meter.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

Ah, 1962 when Stereo was new and engineers were still figuring out what to do with it.

Coincidentally, my sweetheart just bought me Peter Frampton's new album "All Blues." Tongue-in-cheek wise, it has "In Stereo" on the cover.

Spoiler: Album cover in the spoiler so as not to derail the focus from Ms. Day.

 

[Nickyboy]

I liked this. Like many people, the only song of Doris Day's I could really name off the top of my head is "Que Sera", which to me always sounds a bit over the top. This album fits nicely into the early 60s loungey-jazz sound that you heard from the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. I also didn't realize that Andre Previn could really swing and bop with his trio. With that, I will say that I liked the upbeat pieces a lot more than some of the sleepier ones, like "Who Are We to Say". Those quiet ones are probably good to put on when you want to go to sleep. However, whether up-tempo or sleepy (or is she going for a sexy sound?) Doris Day shows that she has a very smooth and likeable singing voice.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

I liked this too. I knew Doris was a singer, but my only exposure to her was her TV sitcom. So the only song of hers that I knew was... well, you know. I was pleasantly surprised that Que Sera Sera was not her best work. I enjoyed pretty much everything on this album more than that song. First off, Doris is a beautiful vocalist. And while I had heard of Andre Previn I had never listened to his work. Nice stuff! I thought the two (well, four) did a great job on this album.

Sadly, with my lack of relationship with jazz, I don't know that I'll be pulling much up Doris on Spotify. But I really enjoyed Doris' voice. I don't suppose you have a recommendation for an album where she sings the blues? That might help me get on board.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Sadly, with my lack of relationship with jazz, I don't know that I'll be pulling much up Doris on Spotify. But I really enjoyed Doris' voice. I don't suppose you have a recommendation for an album where she sings the blues? That might help me get on board.

Let's see...Doris Sings The Blues. That's right here on the shelf next to Mae West's Gospel Favorites.

Seriously, searching through her entire catalog I found just one song that fills the bill, kinda sorta:

She's no Memphis Minnie but this isn't bad at all.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Doris Day had a beautiful voice. This was... pleasant enough. Previn looks bored on the cover-- the music kind of feels the same way.

I'm not going to rate this because no comprendo.