Marlene VerPlanck: 'I'm in Love'

Vocalist Marlene VerPlanck came up in the business in the late '50s when pop and jazz lived together. She began singing in 1952 and recorded her first album for Savoy in '55 with pianist Hank Jones, bassist Eddie Jones and drummer Kenny Clarke. A year later came a tour with Charlie Spivak's Orchestra, where she met her future husband, arranger Billy VerPlanck. By the early '60s, as Teen Pan Alley and pop-rock pulled the rug out from under traditional pop artists, Marlene transitioned smoothly into jingle singing. She quickly became one of the most sought-after ad voices on the studio scene, recording the famed “Mmm Good" line for Campbell's Soup and “Yeah!" that capped the “Weekends were made for Michelob" tagline.

All the while, Marlene sang jazz in clubs and continued to record albums, fed largely by husband Billy's beautifully crafted arrangements. In the years since Billy's passing in 2009, Marlene has record steadily. Her latest CD is I Give Up, I'm in Love. I wrote the CD's liner notes, but I only take on such projects when I truly love the music. You can rest assured that what my love for this album has nothing to do with writing the notes and everything to do with my love for Marlene's taste and singing excellence.

The title track by Morgan Ames and Johnny Mandel has an interesting story with a JazzWax twist. A couple of years ago, Morgan wrote a set of lyrics and sent them along to Johnny, an old pal of hers. Morgan and Johnny had collaborated on Quietly There. When they finished, Morgan excitedly sent me a demo and then a clip of her signing the song with Johnny's big band. After I posted about the song in 2013, Marlene read the post in New Jersey and instantly decided to record the song. 

Marlene has a voice like a great piece of candy. It tastes great from time it hits your ear and continues to enthrall and enchant as the sweetness rolls around inside. Marlene knows her way around a studio mic and how to sell a song with charm and hipness. The lineup of great songs here includes How Little We Know, Sleigh Ride in July, The Way You Look Tonight, So Many People and You're Really Someone to Write Home About.

There are two different trios behind Marlene on different tracks. The first is Mike Renzi (p), David Finck (b) and Ron Vincent (d), followed by Tedd Firth (p), Jay Leonhart (b) and Ron Vincent (d). Harry Allen and Warren Vache jump in for solos on different tracks, and Vache's cornet behind Marlene on So Many People is worth the price of this CD alone. Marlene also is backed by the Glenn Franke Big Band on three tracks. The result is an album of impeccable taste, remarkable playing and Marlene's bright, warm voice. [Above, Marlene with John LaSalle]

This album is a blast from start to finish, and Marlene's voice has never been more joyfully and warm. Framed by superb musicians, the result is a rare, beautiful treat.

JazzWax tracks: You'll find I Give Up, I'm in Love (Audiophile) here.

JazzWax clips: Here's Marlene singing Stephen Sondheim's So Many People, with Warren Vache on cornet “So Many People“

Here's I Give Up, I'm in Love: “I Give Up, I'm in Love“

And here's Marlene in the early 1960s, with the John LaSalle Quartet" “I'll Never Smile Again“