Peggy Lee/June Christy Mosaic

[wesbed]

I purchased the Peggy Lee/June Christy Mosaic a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I do enjoy jazz vocals. Before purchasing the set I'd heard of both Lee and Christy but I was not familiar with the style of either. I trusted Mosaic (as usual) and welcomed the experience of enjoying some new jazz tunes.

Peggy Lee & June Christy Mosaic

Initially, I enjoyed the set but found myself more drawn to Peggy Lee than June Christy. Peggy Lee, to my ears, on this set, has a crisper/snappier voice than June Christy. As so often happens with jazz, however, upon repeated listening, June Christy's voice has inserted itself into my brain. I was listening to Christy during the wee hours and 'heard' her. Her voice maintains a very subtle coolness. Christy's vocal style sneaks up and you catch yourself saying, "Damn. She is just... cool."

Yeah, and Malcolm Addey's remastering is present as well.

Edited August 1, 2004 by wesbed

[wesbed]

My pick for best song from this set, so far, is June Christy's version of You're Blase. It's unfortunate the song is not available to sample via the Mosaic website.

Edited August 1, 2004 by wesbed

[BruceH]

I already have a little stuff from both of them, so I KNOW this set will be great. I've just been holding off because of the whole, y'know, money thing. You're making me want it more. Ouch.

[DrJ]

I really like this set. The sound quality is a treat - just outstanding - but the music is star. I'm partial to June Christy so that's my favorite part, but it's early Christy rather than her later more mature style - so just something to keep in mind. She wasn't quite as individual a voice then although most of the major elements in her style are in place. I'd compare her work here to the material released on the CD DAY DREAMS (at least the 40's stuff, not the add-on stuff with Kenton from '55) more than to slightly later classics like SOMETHING COOL.

This box was my first extended exposure to Peggy Lee's material and I really dig it. I like the intimacy of the settings here with Barbour on guitar. Made me a convert, I need to pick up more of her recordings.

Another great Mosaic set.

[Tony Pusey]

Yeah, I am also hot for this baby, and welcome further thoughts and comments.

[wesbed]

The majority of this set is Peggy Lee tunes. While I enjoy the entire set, June Christy has become, unexpectedly, the preferred singer, to my ears. It's unfortunate there wasn't more June Christy material to release.

[LAL]

The majority of this set is Peggy Lee tunes. While I enjoy the entire set, June Christy has become, unexpectedly, the preferred singer, to my ears. It's unfortunate there wasn't more June Christy material to release.

No worries. If you're now into June Christy's vocals, there're about half a dozen worthy discs on Capitol/EMI to explore. Something Cool is the best to start off with IMO. On this set's June Christy recordings, I'll echo Dr J's comments.

But, June Christy nut that I am, I kind of prefer Peggy Lee's small group sessions on this set. The recordings are very 'intimate', as if Peggy were singing right in your hall/room. Peggy's got a beautiful voice, not very strong, but she delivers the songs very well.

[ghost of miles]

This box was my first extended exposure to Peggy Lee's material and I really dig it. I like the intimacy of the settings here with Barbour on guitar. Made me a convert, I need to pick up more of her recordings.

Yes, Lee's small-group sides w/Barbour here are the highlight of the set for me. I really like the Christy material as well, but "intimacy" is the perfect word, DrJ.

[BruceH]

Anybody got the Peggy Lee Properbox?