1946-1947

by Ethel Waters

Overview

Ethel Waters recorded steadily between 1921-1940. By the early '40s she was so involved in acting that she was largely off records for several years. The titles included on 1946-1947 are, with the exception of a set from the late '50s, and a couple of religious-oriented albums in the '60s, Waters' last recordings. At the age of 50, Waters' voice was still in prime form as she shows on these three sessions. She is featured in a septet with trumpeter George Treadwell, guitarist Mary Osborne, and her longtime pianist Reginald Beane. In addition, there are two songs with Herman Chittison, and a dozen in which she is just accompanied by Beane. Among the many highlights are "Cabin in the Sky," "Am I Blue," "Careless Love," "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe," "It's Only a Paper Moon," and "St. Louis Blues." Not everything works, since the version of "Taking a Chance on Love" here is a bit erratic, and "Suppertime" is not too subtle, but overall this is a very rewarding set of the last known recordings of Ethel Waters during her most significant years. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	10/02/2002
Label:	Classics
UPC:	3307517124920
Rank:	237641

Tracks

1. Taking a Chance on Love
2. Dinah
3. Man Wanted
4. You Took My Man
5. Honey in a Hurry
6. Cabin in the Sky
7. Am I Blue
8. I Shoulda Quit When I Was Ahead
9. Careless Love
10. Blues in My Heart
11. Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe
12. A Hundred Years from Today
13. Throw the Dirt
14. Summertime
15. Supper Time
16. Little Black Boy
17. It Is Only a Paper Moon
18. Can't Help Lovin' That Man
19. St. Louis Blues
20. Travelin'
21. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
22. The Crucificxion

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ethel Waters   Primary Artist,Vocals
Everett Barksdale   Guitar
Mary Osborne   Guitar
Al McKibbon   Bass
George Treadwell   Vocals,Trumpet
Herman Chittison   Piano,Vocals
J.C. Heard   Drums
Dicky Harris   Trombone
Carlton Powell   Bass
Ray Perry   Violin,Sax (Alto)
Reginald Beane   Piano,Vocals

Technical Credits

W.C. Handy   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Leonard Feather   Composer
DuBose Heyward   Composer
Joe Young   Composer
Sam M. Lewis   Composer
Ned Washington   Composer
Harry Akst   Composer
Benny Carter   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg   Composer
Martha E. Koenig   Composer
Joseph Young   Composer
Unknown Blues Band   Composer
Anatol Schenker   Liner Notes
Grant Clarke   Composer
John Latouche   Composer
Spencer Williams   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Jerome Kern   Composer
Harold Arlen   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Vernon Duke   Composer
Irving Berlin   Composer