Pinky number ten!

Here's an advance look at the new Pinky Winters CD, to be released on March 23.  It is now available for pre-order at ebay at a not-too-terribly excessive price as far as Japanese imports go. And check out that background vocal on track two!

Marsha Sings!

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For several years, before Hollywood beckoned, actress Marsha Hunt's chief source of income was singing on the radio. Ironically, after being brought to Hollywood in 1934 by Paramount Pictures, despite the massive amount of work in every possible field, not just films, but also Broadway, radio, TV (Star Trek), Marsha only sang publicly one lone time, and that was in the MGM movie, Unholy Partners. The irony here is that the vehicle is not a musical, but a drama about the newspaper world. Also, unusual for a film like this, Marsha gets to sing an entire number, and with only one brief dialogue cutaway. I've had the pleasure of being with Marsha at performances by singers. Her face lights up, and she simply can't take her eyes off of them. Loves the stuff.

I remember seeing Marsha Hunt on a Soupy Sales network special in the early 1970s. She was quite the "game girl." No pie in the kisser, though.

Sue's news

In the immortal words of Irving Berlin, Now It Can Be Told.


Although news of singer Sue Raney and pianist Alan Broadbent's appearance at NY's  Feinstein's at the Regency this Fall (Nov 20 & 21) is already up on Sue's website, their upcoming gig at L.A.'s Vitello's has just been confirmed. . .and will be officially announced at SueRaneySRO.com in a day or two. Both dates (NY and L.A.) will find Sue performing her new CD, with Broadbent, entitled Listen Here. One show nightly at both venues. The date for Vitello's is Monday, April 25. That evening will also serve as a CD release party for the album. Soooo. . . .in addition to singing, Sue will also be signing and selling.


The CD, which draws its title from the lead-off tune, Dave Frishberg's "Listen Here," is the realization of an answer she gave to an interviewer a few years back. 


Following hard on the heels of her big band (and then some) Doris Day tribute, Heart's Desire with Broadbent, when asked about her future goals, she replied, "I’d like to record a duet album with Alan." (Talk about your macro to micro!) And so, she has.

PS: For an advance look at the artwork (and track listings) for Listen Here, go here: 

Audrey says that he's a good cook, too

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Chicago's Paul Marinaro

Oh, Johnny, Oh!

Yesterday, I happened across this remarkable Johnny Hartman clip on youtube. Inasmuch as there is so little video available of this inarguably legendary singer, this is a major find. It is believed to be from a 1983 Jonathan Schwartz TV show. Probably a local New York affair. If Jonathan had the good taste and sense to book Hartman (no surprise) one wonders what other such treasures might be lurking around in his vault. Lee Wiley anyone? The good soul who uploaded this to youtube does not want it to be embedded on other sites, such as this one. But you're only one click away. Here.

In a 1992 issue of Japanese Esquire there's an article to the effect that: Is there a case for Coltrane and Hartman's "Lush Life" being not just the greatest jazz vocal album of all time, but, extra-sub-categorically, the flatout best jazz album ever? Hmmmmmm....

Quel drôle

Today the theme on Turner Classic Movies is "How to Earn an Oscar Nomination." The films are Never on Sunday, Irma La Douce, Anna Christie, Street Angel, and Butterfield Eight.

Or as Pia Zadora so memorably queried in The Lonely Lady: "Who do I have to f*** to win an Oscar around this place?"

Renee Raff alert

On Wednesday, Feb. 16th, 6-7pm eastern time, SSJ recording artist Renee Raff will be featured on WDNA.ORG 88.9FM RADIO in Miami. The station streams online and can be heard here: http://www.wdna.org

Renee's is a most interesting career saga; thus, the WDNA interview promises to be most fascinating and informative. Dramatis personae in her "story" include Frank Sinatra, Jilly Rizzo, Bobby Cole, Leslie Hutchinson ("Hutch") and many more. Maybe she'll even play and sing a tune or so "live" (?) Can't promise. At any rate. . .not to be missed! I wouldn't for the world.

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From Lorraine Feather's 2011 Grammy-nominated CD, New York City Drag.

Sue Raney's new CD

You can get an advance look at the new Sue Raney CD, Listen Here, at:

http://www.sueraneysro.com/news.