The Great American Songbook

• Artist: Carmen McRae
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1972 10
• Total Time: 71:17
• Type: Live, Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Vocal Music

Review

On this popular two-LP set, singer Carmen McRae interprets songs by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Michel Legrand, Warren & Dubin, Henry Mancini, and Jimmy Van Heusen, among others, but it is her rendition of a humorous Jimmy Rowles novelty ("The Ballad of Thelonious Monk") that is best remembered. Joined by pianist Rowles, guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Chuck Domanico, and drummer Chuck Flores, McRae had what was at the time a rare opportunity to record a live, spontaneous, jazz-oriented set. She sounds quite enthusiastic about both her accompaniment and the strong repertoire, which includes "At Long Last Love," "I Only Have Eyes for You," "Sunday," "I Cried for You," and "I Thought About You." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Satin Doll	Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn	Carmen McRae	(4:34)
At Long Last Love	Cole Porter	Carmen McRae	(2:27)
If the Moon Turns Green	Bernie Hanighen, Paul Coates	Carmen McRae	(4:22)
Day by Day	Sammy Cahn, Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston	Carmen McRae	(2:22)
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?	Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman	Carmen McRae	(4:14)
I Only Have Eyes for You	Al Dubin, Harry Warren	Carmen McRae	(4:12)
Medley: Easy Living/The Days of Wine and Roses/It's Impossible	Henry Mancini, Armando Manzanero, Johnny Mercer, Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin, Sid Wayne	Carmen McRae	(9:14)
Sunday	Ned Miller, Benny Krueger, Jule Styne, Chester Conn	Carmen McRae	(4:10)
A Song for You	Leon Russell	Carmen McRae	(4:46)
I Cried for You	Abe Lyman, Gus Arnheim, Arthur Freed	Carmen McRae	(2:21)
Behind the Face	Jimmy Rowles	Carmen McRae	(2:44)
The Ballad of Thelonious Monk	Jimmy Rowles	Carmen McRae	(3:29)
There's No Such Thing as Love	Ian Fraser, Anthony Newley	Carmen McRae	(5:00)
(They Long to Be) Close to You	Burt Bacharach, Hal David	Carmen McRae	(4:37)
Three Little Words	Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby	Carmen McRae	(1:58)
Mr. Ugly	Norman Mapp	Carmen McRae	(4:00)
It's Like Reaching for the Moon	Al Lewis, Gerald Marqusee, Al Sherman	Carmen McRae	(2:53)
I Thought About You	Johnny Mercer, James Van Heusen	Carmen McRae	(3:54)

Credits

Chuck Flores (Drums), Joe Pass (Guitar), Jimmy Rowles (Piano), Michael Cuscuna (Remix Supervision), Chuck Domanico (Bass), Jack Rael (Producer), Carmen McRae (Piano), Carmen McRae (Vocals), Carmen McRae (Main Performer), Carmen McRae (Liner Notes), Gene Paul (Remixing), Ray Thompson (Engineer), Ira Friedlander (Design), Zal Schreiber (Mastering), Paul Slaughter (Photography)