My favorite song by Marlena Shaw is "Feel Like Makin' Love". It's really a shame that the latest news I got about Marlena Shaw is that she has passed away. Rest in peace, Marlena Shaw
Marlena is a better blues singer than any of those three. She throws in some funk with a Carmen McRae ear, making these interpretations original and hot. Relisten to the verse on The Lady is a Tramp. How fun can you get?
The whole thing is stiff and not too swinging, considering the caliber of musicians involved. More lounge show than real jazz concert. Marlena is a good singer, but she's no Ella. Milt Jackson - no show. On piano not Tommy Flanagan but Kenny Barron, unfortunately just reading parts, no solos.
vova47 Exactly who is/was as good as Ella - apart from Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson? She's certainly as good, if not better than, any UK grown singer.
I agree the sound here is a little dead. Probably sounded great in person. Marlena skills as a blues singer with that Carmen ear make these versions hot swining funk.. Check out that verse ( intro) to Lady is a Tramp again. She makes it as the interesting as the song, something I've never heard any other singer do. 10:38
