Jeri Southern's First LP, Plus Reupped Singles

The work of that superb singer Jeri Southern was one of my first priorities when I started this blog almost 12 years ago. Relatively early on, I transferred two sets of Southern singles that had not been reissued.

Today I am offering reuploads of those sets along with a new transfer of Southern's first LP, a 10-incher from 1954. The latter is by request from vocal connoisseur John Morris, who wasn't happy with the sound of the commercial transfer he had in hand.

I hope this one pleases him. My own copy of the LP was not in perfect condition, although the results are good, I think, with the quality of the sound not affected too much by some occasional background rustle.

What's important is that Southern's smoky, confidential vocals come through well, along with her own piano accompaniment. Guitarist Dave Barbour and a bassist are on the date as well; supposedly there is a drummer, too, but I don't hear any evidence of him or her. Barbour is fine - he had a great deal of experience with accompanying the vocals of his former wife, Peggy Lee - but he wasn't really needed.

1954 Billboard ad

Southern chose her songs well. All are moody, with the exception of Ray Noble's "The Very Thought of You." Several betray a sense of alienation well suited to Southern's cool but intense approach. "Miss Johnson Phoned Again Today" is a third-person narrative similar but preferable to "Miss Otis Regrets." "Just in Fun" and "(I'm in Love with) The Honorable Mr. So-and-So" are scenes of unrequited and furtive love, respectively. She even includes one out-and-out art song, "Cabin" by Paul Bowles and Tennessee Williams, in which the singer takes the role of an omniscient narrator. The cover notes say "Cabin" was at the time popular with the cabaret set, but I don't recall anyone else recording it.

Warm, Intimate Songs in the Jeri Southern Style was later subsumed in a 12-inch LP called Southern Hospitality, which also included four other songs that Southern recorded with Dave Barbour in 1957.

Jeri Southern Singles

My first post of Jeri Southern singles was almost exactly 10 years ago. It included eight titles from 1955-57 that had not been reissued. I believe that is no longer true, but some of you might be interested in that group and its companion collection, which contained 11 songs dating from 1952-57.

Let me note that the Decca pressings were often not very good - even though almost all of these 45s came from old store stock. Also, my transferring skills back then were not as well refined as today. So while I have remastered all these recordings, there remains some mild background noise, hopefully not enough to spoil some exceptional readings that are very much of a piece with the LP above. The songs include "Don't Explain," "The Man That Got Away," "Bells Are Ringing," "How Did He Look" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful," among other gems.

The first collection can be found here. The second collection is here.

More Jeri Southern Singles

At long last here is my second set of unre-released Jeri Southern singles. These 11 songs (except for the promo above) are from old store stock, so the sound is just about as clean as it can be. Of course, we are talking Decca products here, so don't expect sonic miracles.

The songs begin with Baby Did You Hear?, which is listed as being written by Katie Lee, although I think it's a traditional song. This is from 1952, and is the flip side of Southern's breakout song, You Better Go Now. Baby Did You Hear? is perhaps better known in the Dinah Washington rendition.

Next is Give Me Time, one of Alec Wilder's lesser works, backed with What Good Am I Without You. The final 78 is Jeri's take on The Man That Got Away, with Joey on the other side. This record sold fairly well - look below and you'll see the record store's inventory on the sleeve.

We move on to a number of 45s - starting with Stop Me and Would I, from 1956. Next is 1957's I'm Gonna Try Me Some Love, a Jon Hendricks song, with There Is Something In My Eye, an attractive melody with a trite lyric.

Finally, also from 1957, there are two songs from Bells Are Ringing, the expected Just in Time and an excellent version of the title tune.

There's much here to enjoy and admire, I think. Hope you like the selection.

Jeri Southern Singles

Jeri Southern was something of a reluctant star - even a reluctant singer. She started as a pianist, and only began singing when her agent suggested it. She claimed that she didn't sing in her natural soprano, but in her speaking voice. After a little over a decade of being one of the most acclaimed vocal artists, she quit the business.

Despite Southern's diffidence, she has never lacked for admirers, and all of her LPs have been reissued.

Her first LP, a 10-incher, might have been a good candidate for this blog (and I do have it), but it was subsumed into the 12-inch LP Southern Hospitality, which has been reissued. The 1954 Billboard ad below, in which Southern congratulates Decca on its anniversary, makes reference to the title of the 10-inch LP - Warm, Intimate Songs in the Jeri Southern Style.

"Warm and intimate" does describe her style, but not fully. While her voice is warm, her approach can be inward, making the overall effect cool but intense. It's a fascinating effect, heard to full advantage in the song above, with one of Oscar Hammerstein's best lyrics. But it wasn't the extent of her range - one of her most popular records (also included here) was the title song for the film Fire Down Below, a bouncy calypso. (The soundtrack is here, FYI.) She also was not afraid to take on other singers' signature songs - this group of songs includes Billie Holiday's Don't Explain.

This post consists entirely of singles that Southern made for Decca that have not been reissued, as far as I can determine, since the 45s were released. This is the first of two posts I have planned of unreissued Southern singles. These eight titles date from 1955-57.