Dardanelle

The post was occasioned by the coincidence of my coming across the LP while unpacking some records on the same day that Mark Cantor posted a rare Soundie of the artist on his superb YouTube channel.

Dardanelle (full name Dardanelle Breckenridge) was a pianist-vibist-singer who had a peculiar career. The Soundie captures her near the beginning of her career, in 1946, and this LP was issued in 1950, just before she closed its first phase by retiring from night clubs and recording for the better part of three decades. She emerged just as strong in the late 70s and made several albums.

Dardanelle was a very talented artist, as you will discover on this LP, with a beautiful sound and bountiful imagination. This record was issued in Columbia's "Piano Moods" series, which was notable only by virtue of the fact that there is no pause between selections, for whatever reason. The label also had a similar band series.

Dardanelle in 1946

The songs are all standards, with the possible exception of Margarita Lecuona's "Tabu", which did later become a mainstay for tiki bands everywhere.

I offer this LP with the caveat that its condition was rough. While it cleaned up fairly well and the sound is good, there is some distortion on the piano's loudest notes. UPDATE: My latest remastering has cured the sonic ills afflicting this transfer.

I think one of my friends asked me about this LP a number of years ago. Sorry it took so long to come up with it!