What we have here is a collection of 10 songs on the low-end budget label Spinorama. These materials also appeared in whole or part on other such supermarket collections from the early 60s. These labels generally operated by acquiring old material on the cheap, and then repackaging it. My suspicion is that this particular package began as singles cut for a small label from about 1953 to 1957 - although there is no hard evidence that this is the case.
Why do I choose those dates? Because By Myself, one of the songs here, was featured in the 1953 movie The Bandwagon, and because Ca, C'Est L'Amour was written for the 1957 film Les Girls.
It doesn't help that there is very limited information available on the singer. The first information I have is that she recorded two singles for Columbia in 1950. She then turns up singing with Louis Jordan in 1953. Finally, she recorded a single for ABC-Paramount in 1960. There also are scattered references to her appearing in night spots.
So, in short, I haven't been able to find out when these records were made or who plays on them - although they clearly are highly proficient musicians. Anderson herself is a very good singer - although she does have a tendency to mangle lyrics a little - and is particularly effective on The Thrill is Gone.
The production values are what you might expect from a low-end label. The sound was shrill, which I have adjusted, and the pressing is cheap. Added reverb is plentiful. Fortunately I have a mint copy of the record, so there is no need to endure any noise induced by mishandling over the years. Any noise here was built in by the issuing entity.
The pitching of some of these items is suspect, and I am sure that London Blues was about a half-tone flat, so I have adjusted it. (The original is also included in the download, in case you want to judge for yourself.)
This is presented (and in flac format) by request.
21 comments:
Links:
http://www.mediafire.com/?neird8xk8uvzepu
http://rapidshare.com/files/448853067/Margie_Anderson_-_The_Blues.zip
Please comment or you will have The Blues and I will have the blues.
New info - my friend flyingfinger tells me these songs exist in stereo - so it could be that this was recorded as an album and that it is from 1958 or a little later.
Does it exist in real stereo? Those labels were known for slapping the word stereo on any old recordings, whether they were real, rechanneled or just plain mono. Not that I don't trust someone with the name flyingfinger... :) Never seen this one that I can remember.
Ernie - Apparently some of these songs are on YouTube in stereo. I've never seen a stereo copy myself.
Hey Buster, thanks for taking the time to research and present this interesting vocalist.
I found Margie Anderson sufficiently interesting for me to don my diva detective deerstalker hat and do a bit of sleuthing. The most interesting thing I uncovered is that a U.K. magazine, Blues & Rhythm, has a 4 page career piece on her in a 2005 edition. Copies are available for purchase. Additionally, I learned that she is/was Boston-based, where she commenced a serious friendship (romantic?) with the great jazz sax player Gigi Gryce. In 2002 she gave an interview to the musician's biographers. I also came across info that she had recorded a total of 18 sides. A 1955 session she participated in is listed in the Tom Lord discography. But I don't have the set, so there's no way of knowing exactly who the players were. Elsewhere, I learned that on one 1950 session she was accompanied by well-known, at the time, jazz pianist Duke Anderson (a relative?) The players on much of her album are of an especially high caliber. My guess is that she is still alive. She's too good to be so totally forgotten. Hope this helps.
Thanks Bill - this is very, very interesting and helpful!
Thanks Buster!
Thanks also here in your house, Buster. I do appreciate this share.
Bill. That background is really interesting.
great stuff. really makes you feel happy. thank you
Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you dear Buster, I really enjoyed this recording...Love her voice...I was afraid of some of the tunes (because of their titles) but that turned out to be ok.... :-)
Thank you Mr. Reed for the info!
j.
I first heard Margie Anderson on a split with Pearl Bailey.
http://www.discogs.com/Pearl-Bailey-with-Margie-Anderson-Singing-Swinging/release/2267413
Here is link to stereo versions of part of this album - from youtube. I did a basic clean-up, and though Buster's version is far cleaner, these are true stereo, and lead me to believe the recording year was probably 1958 or so.
I did see an ebay post of the album listing 1958 as the release year.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9BKOTEVJ
It's sometimes great to get the blues; but I prefer to play it. -- Thanks, Buster, I'm really looking forward to those rare sounds of a completely neglected songstress. Stereo? Mono? There is nothing against the mighty mono, or is there?
Many Thanks All Round.
Thanks Buster [and Bill Reed for Info] what a swell Blues LP indeed (¿._☮ldhippiℯяick ♪
Found this LP today, in mint condition...
ONLY DIFFERENCE
The Fabulous Voice of Paula May with the Duke Briton Orchestra...
On the Silver Seal label
@ j - There were no limits to what those budget labels would do!
that's sad...But the lady on the cover is the same as this one...Pretty sure about that...
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