"Lee Wiley made these recordings for the Liberty Record Shop in the days before conglomerates controlled everything on record. She was a singer with great musical style and a clarity of voice that lets every lyric shine through. Plus, she knew everyone in New York and got the best musicians as back up to her intimate, sophisticated vocals. I especially like the tracks with "Organ by Maurice" -- Hammond organ played by Fats Waller, though contract restrictions prohibited using his name. I'd give the Gershwin recordings a slight edge over the Cole Porter takes, but all of them are terrific. This is incredibly stylish music from a time when style meant more than the clothes one wore. The recording quality is quite good -- an essential disc for every lover the American popular song."
Best CD In My 2000 Record Jazz Collection...
Jim Andrews | 10/01/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am a 21 year old jazz collector, I have over 2000 jazz lp's and Cd's, 78's exe.. and this is my favorite jazz vocal CD. Lee Wiley is wonderful(read Will Fiedwald's "Jazz Singing to find out how wonderful Lee Wiley is). Listen to Wiley's voice and let all the cares in the world just disappear. Buy the best cd in the world."
One of a Kind
Jim Andrews | Chicago, Illinois USA | 06/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There never was a singer like Lee Wiley and these singular recordings have survived over the decades as a testament to a smokey, knowing, wry, evocative jazz vocalist beyond compare. The songs have survived over the decades, too--literate, unusual, engaging. A wonderful collection."
'S Wonderful
Jim Andrews | 05/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"'S Marvelous/That she should sing like this/'S Awfully nice/'S Paradise/Like dreaming of a kiss./She'll make your life so glamorous....buy it."