Peggy Lee:the Lost '40s and '50s Capitol Masters

One pleasure after another, The Lost '40s & '50s Capitol Masters (Collector's Choice) goes some ways towards expanding folk's perception of the Queen of the Bittersweet, Peggy Lee. Surrounded by the meanest men in town and always two stars away from happiness, Lee's enveloping, butterscotch tones always slotted best with troubled, often sad tunes - last call jukebox numbers about the cooling ("Is That All There Is?") or heating ("Fever") of the blood, strong emotions that arrive at an hour when our options are slim and friendly ears are hard to find. This 2-CD anthology offers 39 rare or previously unreleased marvels, showcasing this extraordinary interpreter's gift for everything from tears ("Don't Be So Mean To Baby") to spirituals ("Swing Low Sweet Chariot") to genuinely amusing period outbursts ("Neon Signs"). This is one of those marvelous “they don't make 'em like that" any more collections that highlights both Lee's talents and that of her highly skilled accompanists. Where popular music tosses us half-talents like Sheryl Crow and Kelly Clarkson today, there was once the class, style and stirring feeling of Miss Peggy Lee. This is an aching reminder of those days gone by.