IRMA CURRY WITH DON ELLIOTT & HIS ORCHESTRA - Love is a Necessary Evil
Fresh Sounds Records FSR-CD 851
Tracks 1 to 13
Irma Curry ( vocals ) Dn Elliott ( mellophone / vibes / scat singing ) Hal McKusick ( alto ) Barry Galbraith ( gtr ) Chuck Wayne ( gtr ) Bill Crow ( bass ) Jo Jones ( drs )
Arrangements by Al Cohn
Recorded New York City, January 1962
Bonus tracks 14 & 15
With orchestra arranged & conducted by Benny Carter
Recorded Los Angeles, 1965
Bonus tracks 16 to 19
With Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra
Recorded New York & Los Angeles, 1950 & 1951
Irma Curry is not exactly a household name, in fact I would be surprised if very many people are aware that she was a singer of more than average ability. In 1950 she was hired by Lionel Hampton as the band vocalist and during the period she was with the band she made a number of recordings which are included on this album as bonus tracks.
In 1962 she recorded her only album with with the multi-instrumentalist Don Elliott and his Orchestra which in fact is only a sextet but the arrangements are by Al Cohn. Unlike most singers who on their first album tend to chose well known standards Irma Curry took the brave decision to record an album of songs with lyrics by Jack Segal a talented writer but hardly high profile.
Irma Curry aspired to be a blues and jazz singer and she had the voice and delivery to achieve that aim. Her phrasing and diction are immaculate and she has an in born swing which many singers fail to deliver.
The Don Elliott Orchestra provides a solid cushion for the singer mostly because of the subtle arrangements of Al Cohn. Because Don Elliott is able to switch from mellophone to vibes it gives more width to the arrangements and the lack of a piano is filled by having two guitars.
There are four of Jack Segal’s collaborators represented on this album but is Marvin Fisher’s music that is most successful. There is a nice mixture of the light swingers of Marvin Fisher and the ballad
Inclined ones of Maddy Russell who just happens to be the wife of Jack Segal.
Irma Curry is at her sultry best on Russell’s “Forget About The Boy” and “No Spring This Year” and on Marvin Fisher’s “Too Much Too Soon” and “Can’t Help It” swings lightly.
It IS Marvin Fisher’s “Going Back To Joe’s” which takes the honours as the track to watch out for. The only track that does not reach the standard of the rest is the title tune which unfortunately is reprised.
The two bonus tracks recorded in 1965 with Benny Carter’s Orchestra are a nice contrast and is Benny Carter’s own song “We Were In Love” that stands out as most of Carter’s songs do.
The four bonus tracks with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra were recorded much earlier in 1950 and 1951 but even at this time she showing great promise and on “I’ll Never Be Free” we have the benefit of Lionel Hampton’s vibes in full flow.
It’s a great pity that this is the only recordings we have of Irma Curry’s fine vocal talents and therefore if you have an interest in good singing this is the purchase for you.
Fresh Sounds Records FSR-CD 851
Tracks 1 to 13
Irma Curry ( vocals ) Dn Elliott ( mellophone / vibes / scat singing ) Hal McKusick ( alto ) Barry Galbraith ( gtr ) Chuck Wayne ( gtr ) Bill Crow ( bass ) Jo Jones ( drs )
Arrangements by Al Cohn
Recorded New York City, January 1962
Bonus tracks 14 & 15
With orchestra arranged & conducted by Benny Carter
Recorded Los Angeles, 1965
Bonus tracks 16 to 19
With Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra
Recorded New York & Los Angeles, 1950 & 1951
Irma Curry is not exactly a household name, in fact I would be surprised if very many people are aware that she was a singer of more than average ability. In 1950 she was hired by Lionel Hampton as the band vocalist and during the period she was with the band she made a number of recordings which are included on this album as bonus tracks.
In 1962 she recorded her only album with with the multi-instrumentalist Don Elliott and his Orchestra which in fact is only a sextet but the arrangements are by Al Cohn. Unlike most singers who on their first album tend to chose well known standards Irma Curry took the brave decision to record an album of songs with lyrics by Jack Segal a talented writer but hardly high profile.
Irma Curry aspired to be a blues and jazz singer and she had the voice and delivery to achieve that aim. Her phrasing and diction are immaculate and she has an in born swing which many singers fail to deliver.
The Don Elliott Orchestra provides a solid cushion for the singer mostly because of the subtle arrangements of Al Cohn. Because Don Elliott is able to switch from mellophone to vibes it gives more width to the arrangements and the lack of a piano is filled by having two guitars.
There are four of Jack Segal’s collaborators represented on this album but is Marvin Fisher’s music that is most successful. There is a nice mixture of the light swingers of Marvin Fisher and the ballad
Inclined ones of Maddy Russell who just happens to be the wife of Jack Segal.
Irma Curry is at her sultry best on Russell’s “Forget About The Boy” and “No Spring This Year” and on Marvin Fisher’s “Too Much Too Soon” and “Can’t Help It” swings lightly.
It IS Marvin Fisher’s “Going Back To Joe’s” which takes the honours as the track to watch out for. The only track that does not reach the standard of the rest is the title tune which unfortunately is reprised.
The two bonus tracks recorded in 1965 with Benny Carter’s Orchestra are a nice contrast and is Benny Carter’s own song “We Were In Love” that stands out as most of Carter’s songs do.
The four bonus tracks with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra were recorded much earlier in 1950 and 1951 but even at this time she showing great promise and on “I’ll Never Be Free” we have the benefit of Lionel Hampton’s vibes in full flow.
It’s a great pity that this is the only recordings we have of Irma Curry’s fine vocal talents and therefore if you have an interest in good singing this is the purchase for you.
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Reviewed by Roy Booth
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