Search - Peggy Lee :: Mink Jazz

On my Desert Island Top 5 list

Dennis Raffelock | Long Island, NY | 10/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got my first copy of this album used in the mid 70's. Since then I have probably added another 20 Peggy Lee albums to my collection trying to find something similar, but nothing I have found has come anywhere close.
This is an exquisite album. Not only Peggy's voice at her finest, both her swinging and sexy airy ballads, but some of the finest West Coast jazz players backing her from any era. Most notably on this album, Jack Sheldon plays some of the tastiest trumpet of all time, with no wasted notes and all brilliant, melodic, captivating ideas. Don't go through life without hearing this recording. It is a masterpiece."

Peggy made many brilliant albums - this is the finest of all

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 08/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The very title of the album suggests quality, and that's what you get here. Peggy plundered the Great American Songbook as usual (often selecting obscure but high quality songs), adding a couple of her own songs (Where can I go without you? and I didn't find love).Peggy was, of course, in her element on the slow, seductive songs which were her trademark - just listen to her cover of Days of wine and roses - and which make up most of this album, but what really makes this album sparkle is the variation in pace. For example, on The lady is a tramp, Peggy went uptempo, not by dramatically raising her voice (that wasn't her style), but by singing more quickly than usual. The musicianship throughout the album is masterful, yet always secondary to Peggy's lovely voice.This is a classy album by a classy singer who is sadly missed, but who has left an outstanding legacy in the form of a whole series of brilliant albums. I believe this is the best of the lot, but not by much - there are many others which are close behind. If you haven't got any of Peggy's music, this is a great place to start - but after hearing this, you will surely be tempted to buy more."

Peg's Best

Peter Durward Harris | 10/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peggy Lee snuck in the recording of "Mink Jazz" by recording tracks over more than a year's time at recording sessions for pop albums. Basically "Mink Jazz" was recorded at the sessions for "Sugar and Spice" and "I'm A Woman." Capitol did release it, though using the same cover photo as for "I'm A Woman," which was released on the same day as "Mink Jazz." As it turned out "Mink Jazz" was a big seller and Peggy Lee's best album. She simply is matchless as she perfectly interprets great standards to superb jazz accompaniments. The recording quality is excellent, too. This is one of the great albums of all time and still sounds fresh and exciting. Don't miss it."