Smooth Operator
Artist(s):
Dorothy Dandridge
Label: Polygram Records
Publisher(s):
Polygram Records
Studio: Polygram Records
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
Binding: Audio CD
MPN: 547514
Format(s): Soundtrack
List Price: $14.98
Our Price: $14.98
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Track Listing
1.
It's Easy to Remember - Dorothy Dandridge, Rodgers, Richard
2.
What Is There to Say? - Dorothy Dandridge, Duke, Vernon
3.
That Old Feeling - Dorothy Dandridge, Brown, Lew
4.
The Touch of Your Lips - Dorothy Dandridge, Noble, Ray
5.
When Your Lover Has Gone - Dorothy Dandridge, Swan, Einar A.
6.
The Nearness of You - Dorothy Dandridge, Carmichael, Hoagy
7.
(In This World) I'm Glad There Is You - Dorothy Dandridge, Madeira, Paul
8.
I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face - Dorothy Dandridge, Lerner, Alan Jay
9.
Body and Soul - Dorothy Dandridge, Green, Johnny
10.
How Long Has This Been Going On? - Dorothy Dandridge, Gershwin, George
11.
I've Got a Crush on You - Dorothy Dandridge, Gershwin, George
12.
I Didn't Know What Time It Was - Dorothy Dandridge, Rodgers, Richard
13.
Somebody - Dorothy Dandridge, Warren, Harry
14.
Stay With It - Dorothy Dandridge, Rasch, Ray
15.
It's a Beautiful Evening - Dorothy Dandridge, Rasch, Ray
16.
Smooth Operator - Dorothy Dandridge, Otis, Clyde
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Early in her career, Dorothy Dandridge was a genuine Renaissance woman, able to perform exceedingly well as a dancer, actress, and singer. She executed each performance with a theatricality that hinted at vast talents, and her acceptance into the annals of the beautiful and luxurious in the 1940s and '50s was hailed by major media players. Her cream-colored skin made Dandridge one of the most highly touted "sepia" stars (like the great Lena Horne) in a commercial culture hell-bent on an extremely tight line between the races. This set of recordings matched Dandridge the nightclub singer with pianist Oscar Peterson and his group--which was sleek enough to highlight the singer's coarse overtones that recall late Billie Holiday recordings--and with an unnamed large orchestra that pushes the vocalist to shine brilliantly on the collection's title tune. Dandridge had all the tragic dynamics that would make her voice deservedly--and artfully--rough at the edges. Her daughter was born brain-damaged, and her persistent insecurities likely led her to both drug addiction and a fatal overdose in 1965. She had built a fledgling, promise-filled film career (garnering an Oscar nomination for Carmen Jones) and, as this collection shows, a very promising career as a nightclub jazz singer. Her magnetism is palpable, and hearing the bulk of these tracks for the first time in 1999, it's clear they should've hit the airwaves decades ago. --Andrew Bartlett
Customer Reviews
Dorothy sold her songs without even trying--and that's no small feat !!!
Dorothy Dandridge could take a song and make it into a beautiful symphony by using her singularly fine talent as a vocalist. Her diction bolsters her singing and her voice on this album is lush, warm and vibrant.
Dandridge does well on all the tracks on this album; but several numbers stand out as highlights of this CD. I enjoy "It's Easy To Remember" which features Dorothy switching back and forth between major and minor keys very quickly. I was impressed; and the musicians play well to enhance the number. Dorothy also does a flawless job performing "That Old Feeling;" this nostalgia, bittersweet number pulls at my heartstrings because it's one of the most beautiful torch songs I've heard--ever. Dorothy sings this with grace and sensitivity; and the drums, bass and piano work wonders to make "That Old Feeling" a truly great number. Dorothy also plays with the tempo on "That Old Feeling" to create a great interpretation of this classic ballad.
"When Your Lover Has Gone" features Dorothy Dandridge singing sweetly with a fantastic musical arrangement; and "The Nearness Of You" has Dorothy singing a more upbeat melody about her love for her man. Listen for some great piano and bass on "The Nearness Of You," too.
"I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face," a number from My Fair Lady, showcases Dorothy's sublime vocals as the music bolsters the number. Dorothy never misses a beat as she sings this romantic number with an elegant, romantic interpretation.
"How Long Has This Been Going On" is sure to please you; Dorothy performs this to perfection. The piano arrangement lacks nothing--it's THAT good. "I've Got A Crush On You" will make many female vocalists green with envy as Dorothy delivers this so well; and listen also for the last track on this album, "Smooth Operator." Dorothy swings brightly as she performs "Smooth Operator" with panache and a great deal of energy.
The liner notes feature an essay by Donald Bogle; and the black and white photos of Dorothy reflect good taste.
Dorothy Dandridge didn't have time to fully succeed as a major female vocalist because of her all too brief stay on this Earth; but what she left behind speaks volumes about her natural talent and her willingness to please her fans. This CD contains many numbers released here for the very first time; and after just one listen I dare say you'll agree that Dorothy Dandridge possessed remarkably fine talent.
Dorothy the Diva
This lady was talented in more ways than one. She had beauty, style, acting ability and YES, she had singing chops, as evidenced in this compilation of standards performed in night clubs around Hollywood early on in her career. Quite frankly, I always knew Dorothy could act and sing but I never knew how much of a true Diva she was until I gave this CD a listen. It showcases "Dotty" in her element--Jazz!
I couldn't help but notice that her phrasing is eerily reminiscent of the style made famous by the great Billie Holiday. She sings purposefully, enunciating every syllable, lagging behind the beat just a hair. Listen and you will hear it on the opening songs, It's Easy to Remember, What Is There To Say, and That Old Feeling, on which she is quite kittenish.
In the title song, Smooth Operator, I imagine Dorothy working the room, and turning heads with her killer body, swaying her hips as she seductively sang.
The sound quality is excellent.
Simply Dazzling...
I am an avid follower of Miss Dandridge and her work. I loved her in every film and enjoyed seeing her life story. So, to be introduced to her musically and vocally, is a honor and she was so multi-talented. Beautiful, head strong, intelligent, and a hard wroker she's what we need today. I find her vocal stylings to be calming, and electric, in other words she's simply dazzling.
A smooth lala bye
elegant to ones ear.I just love dorothy,so much class and beauty.I will always look up to dorothy as a positive black role model.I love you dorothy dandridge.your number one fan.kim t. from columbus oh.
Good but could have included more
The two songs that show Dandridge's potential on this cd are "Smooth Operator" and "Stay with It." The songs are catchy and she showed that she had a voice, shouldn't have been dubbed in Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess, that Otto Preminger! Up tempo numbers were what she was most memorable with. Perhaps her producers didn't realize this. I think a few of the slow numbers should be included but my main criticism is that there is nothing of her early non solo career.
I'm interested to hear the Dandridge Sisters. It included not only Dorothy and her sister Vivian but also a young Etta Jones. I know there are singles out there of them. Someone should release them.
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