Lee Wiley - What Is Love?

2009 collection from the Jazz chanteuse. Each generation of Jazz enthusiasts has notions of what qualifies a 'Jazz singer' or rather of what distinguishes one from the rank-and-file of crooners. Whatever her actual credentials, since her death Lee Wiley has been so frequently re-appraised that her place in the vocal Jazz pantheon now seems to be permanent. She who began as a white exponent of a style first developed by Ethel Waters, superimposed her own special attributes: not least of which good diction and timing. Wiley's innately raw tone and grasp of the black crooners' 'rocking rhythm' were also plus points in a good head-start, but her full admission to her category would prove longer in coming. 23 tracks. Bygone Days.

1) Let's Fly Away - with Bunny Berigan (Trumpet) ; His Music
2) Careless Love - with Small Ensemble
3) What Is Love? - with Victor Young ; His Orchestra
4) I've Got You Under My Skin - with Victor Young ; His Orchestra
5) Down to Steamboat Tennessee - with Muggsy Spanier (Cornet) ; Jess Stacy (Piano)
6) Sugar - with Muggsy Spanier (Cornet) ; Jess Stacy (Piano)
7) Down with Love - with Eddie Condon (Guitar) ; His Sextet
8) Body and Soul - with Eric Siday (Violin) ; His Orchestra
9) Oh Look at Me Now - with Bobby Hackett (Cornet) ; Joe Bushkin (Piano Celeste) ; His Swinging Strings
10) Manhattan - with Bobby Hackett (Cornet) ; Joe Bushkin (Piano Celeste) ; His Swinging Strings
11) Time on My Hands - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
12) Anytime Anyday Anywhere - with Bobby Hackett (Cornet) ; Joe Bushkin (Piano) ; His Swinging Strings
13) More Than You Know - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
14) Rise and Shine - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
15) Tea for Two - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
16) Sometimes I'm Happy - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
17) How Many Times? - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
18) I Got Lost in His Arms - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
19) I've Got a Crush on You - with Bobby Hackett (Cornet) ; Joe Bushkin (Piano Celeste) ; His Swinging Strings
20) A Ghost of a Chance - with Bobby Hackett (Cornet) ; Joe Bushkin (Piano) ; His Swinging Strings
21) Fools Fall in Love - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
22) Keepin' Myself for You - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)
23) Should I Be Sweet? - with Stan Freeman ; Cy Walter (Pianos)