Peggy Lee – Norma Deloris Egstrom From Jamestown, North Dakota
Released Nov. 18 this CD isn’t only essential to fans but a fine introduction to an artist with class. If an aspiring female singer wonders about her own style she must start by studying Peggy Lee. Exciting without flamboyance, with a seductive tone that’s not vulgar. There’s a sassy intonation to her vocal with refined inflection on her lyrics added to her colorful phrasing & pitch.
I was a rock hoodlum when my Uncle showed me a 1943 live clip of a young Peggy Lee with Benny Goodman. “Why Don’t You Do Right” exuded coolness & it was amazing. “Get out of here…and get me some money too.” She captured the imagination with her technique & stood still with sexy authority. The song & how she pronounced her words — was impressive. Her lyrics came with a confident smoothness that let go from her lips like the controlled slow drip of honey off a spoon.
Cut 1 is the late English singer Lesley Duncan’s “Love Song,” — recorded well. How did Peggy find this? Crisp drums & Burt Bacharach-type horns (courtesy of Artie Butler). It’s relaxed, emotionally tinted vocally & Ms. Lee elevates it all. It’s called style. Ms. Lee brought it every time.
“Razor (Love Me As I Am)” is hot under a low flame. That’s professionalism. Peggy’s tone changes into a warmer approach. It’s a testament to Peggy Lee’s good taste to cover Leon Russell’s classic “A Song For You.” Not stopping there Peggy also covers Leon’s & Bonnie Bramlett’s “Superstar,” (a hit for both The Carpenters & Delaney & Bonnie). It sounds possibly out of her comfort zone with all the strings; overly dramatic – but the song was written dramatically. This was always a drama tune. Peggy keeps it tight without showboating.
A long-out-of-print fan favorite this deluxe digital edition features 7 bonuses to commemorate its 50th Anniversary. Christened Peggy Lee in 1937 the captivating music of Norma Deloris Egstrom From Jamestown, North Dakota – (Capitol/Universal/Peggy Lee Associates) is one of the Grammy Award-winning singer’s most beloved & acclaimed efforts.
The 17-cut/55-minute CD produced by Tom Catalano (Neil Diamond/Anne Murray) with arrangements by Artie Butler (Dionne Warwick) was coordinated by Lee’s manager Brian Panella.
This big band singer in 1972 still had potent finesse for both contemporary & classic tunes. Her segue from the Chris Montez oldie “The More I See You,” into the classic “I’ll Be Seeing You,” is beautiful. Elvis admired Ms. Lee too & covered her classic “Fever,” at his 1973 Hawaii Concert. If Sinatra had an equal as a vocal stylist Peggy Lee is that singer. She began in 1941 & was still charting in 1969 with a #1 “Is That All There Is?”
Highlights: Something here for everyone. A 23-page insert comes as well. Images of Peggy Lee courtesy of her website/estate. CD @ https://www.peggylee.com/