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Lee Later

Harry Chandless | Hasbrouck Heights, NJ USA | 07/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the greatest and most underated jazz singers, Lee Wiley is presented on this CD as an older, more mature singer. Perhaps there is not the same verve or timbre in her voice, but her great timing and feel for the song is evident. Track 3 and track 19 are worth the price of this CD, alone. On the first, she sings a song that should be a classic melody: "You're Lucky To Me". But this version is a slower pace than she usually sang, such as with Eddie Condon's groups at the Town Hall Jazz Concerts in 1944. It has a memorable flavor. On track 19, which is one of the unique cuts on this CD which leave in re-takes and comments on some recordings, and Lee, who had been very ill and passed away a few years later, can be heard saying that she didn't like singing it because it depressed her. This is not only good music, it is history. There have been many imitators of Lee, but none did it quite like she did."