Search - Jeri Southern :: You Better Go Now/When Your Heart's on Fire

Exellent CD re-issue of the classic LP "You Better Go Now"

aaron | 10/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD re-issues Jeri Southern's finest session "You Better Go Now" which was originally released on Decca, now only available on this exellent import CD, also included is "When You're Hearts On Fire" another Decca LP, so you really get two LP's on one CD. However the main reason to get this enjoyable CD is for the songs from the "You Better Go Now" session, which include "The Man That Got Away" "Dancing On The Ceiling" "When I Fall In Love" "That Old Devil Called Love" "Give Me Time" and "Something I Dreamed Last Night" are just a few of the highlights from this CD. For those unfamiliar with Southern's talents as a vocalist/pianist. She was a jazz based piano playing singer, very unlike Blossom Dearie(however they both had soft voices). Southern's vocal style is more like Peggy Lee's(however, she's not on the same level as Lee) but it's an unfair comparison, because she's unique. She was a favorite of other jazz musicians and singers like Miles Davis & Mel Torme who listed her as a favorite singer. Very much like Lee Wiley in the 30's/40's was a favorite of Eddie Condon, and Jess Satcy. She's one of those rare singers who sings the lyrics with a jazz phrasing like Sinatra. However she really didn't improvise in her singing, as much as she did in her paino playing. This CD will give you a good overview of this wonderful singer. Also get Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter with Billy May & His Orch."

Romantic music at it's most intimate

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 07/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jeri is the best torch singer there has ever been - and there have been many excellent ones down the years. Of Jeri's contemporaries, Polly Bergen, Julie London, Gogi Grant and Peggy Lee are the ones that spring immediately to mind. I love them all and I have most of their music. They were generally more versatile than Jeri. Peggy, in particular, could pick up the tempo to great effect when she chose to. Jeri could never do that - her style was altogether too intimate and understated. And that's exactly why she was the best torch singer of them all - and still is, even though she has long since left us.Jeri didn't try to do the upbeat stuff. There were, and are, plenty of others for that. When rock'n'roll took over the charts, Jeri simply carried on as if nothing had happened. When record companies put pressure on her to change, she resisted - and eventually quit the business. Jeri knew what she could do, and stuck to it. This twofer is an excellent example of Jeri's music.Many of these songs have become classics, though it is usually other singers who are identified with these songs. When I fall in love was originally a hit for Doris Day, and later a much bigger hit for Nat King Cole. I love both those singers and I enjoy their versions. I've also heard many other excellent versions, but none of them can match Jeri. Smoke gets in your eyes dates from the 1930's although most people remember the rock'n'roll cover by the Platters. I love that version and (even better) I love Margaret Whiting's lovely romantic version on her Jerome Kern tribute album. I call her Magic Maggie, and for very good reason. Yet, even she could not match Jeri's version of the song, although she came very close.I remember you, another often recorded song, can be sung many different ways, and I've heard some great uptempo versions. Jeri's interpretation is very slow and intimate (of course) and is among the most distinctive - she sounded as if she meant it (as she did in every song).Other highlights include You better go now, Dancing on the ceiling, That ole devil called love and Someone to watch over me - but it's all brilliant, intimate and romantic. Jeri did pick up the tempo slightly on You make me feel so young, but not much, just enough to provide a little variation.If you want to boogie on down, leave Jeri alone (may I suggest that you try the Andrews sisters instead?), but if you want soft, romantic music for a candle-lit dinner, Jeri's music beats anything I've ever heard, although the previously mentioned Polly, Julie, Gogi and Peggy would also be good choices, if you select the right album."

I seriously disagree with Aaron

Beth | Mesa, AZ United States | 04/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saying that Jeri Southern is inferior to Peggy Lee is an insult. Jeri is at her top form in this cd. She is such a marvelous vocalist because it sounds like she sincerely means what she is singing. This is definite especially in "Something I Dreamed Last Night." Her version of "When I Fall in Love" brings shame to Nat King Cole's."