Jean Hoffman & Dorothy Carless – Sings and Swings / The Carless Touch

The Best Voices Time Forgot - Collectible Albums by Top Female Vocalists
Collector’s Edition - 2 Original LPs on 1 CD - Original Cover Art, Liner Notes

Sings and Swings
Jean Hoffman (Portland, 1930) is well-known as an unostentatious, small-voiced singer, and a pleasantly prodding, rhythmic pianist. She made a name for herself in the San Francisco club circuit during the ‘50s, often supported by bass and drums. In 1957, Billboard hailed the release of her first album, Jean Hoffman Sings and Swings, with some words of praise: “An exciting new voice, a rarity indeed in today’s market, has at long last blossomed via chirp Jean Hoffman, who combines the best elements of jazz styling without negating her pop commercial lure. While it’s a little voice, it’s strong, resonant and powerful in expression. Her rendition of Bluebird of Happiness is one of the freshest and most imaginative arrangements of this tune to come along in many a moon, and coupled with the other standards in this package, it makes for palpitating listening. An artistic success, deserving of heavy exposure and air-play.”

The Carless Torch
Husky voiced Dorothy Carless (1916-2012), was one of England’s top warblers of the 40s and 50s. She studied classical music intensively and was an accomplished pianist in her teens. However, at 17 she became passionate about jazz. In 1937 she auditioned for bandleader Ray Noble, who asked her to sing instead of playing piano. Later she moved on to other bands such as Ambrose and Geraldo. Within a few years, working as a pianist and singer for the BBC during World War II, she became a national celebrity. In 1953 she moved to California, where she appeared in top night-clubs and many radio and TV shows. Dorothy’s voice and style were etched indelibly in her 1956 album “The Carless Torch,” in which good, suitable, unobtrusive backing by the Barney Kessel Trio serves as the backdrop for a number of time-tested torchers sung with intimate phrasing and feeling.

Track Listing:
Jean Hoffman: 1. Dancing on the Ceiling - 3:33   2. I’ve Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good - 3:33   3. Makin’ Whoopee - 3:45   4. What Is There to Say? - 2:22   5. Sometimes I’m Happy - 3:51   6. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise - 2:59   7. Bluebird of Happiness - 3:03   8. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered - 3:06   9. Time Was - 3:16   10. Yes Sir, That’s My Baby - 3:08   11. Street of Dreams - 3:52   12. My Buddy - 3:54   Dorothy Carless: 13. Baby, Baby, You’re the One - 2:52   14. Here Lies Love - 2:34   15. It’s Easy to Remember - 3:06   16. Love Letters in the Sand - 2:41   17. Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye - 3:02   18. Bidin’ My Time - 2:30   19. Hello, My Lover, Goodbye - 3:42   20. Too Late Now - 3:21   21. My Old Flame - 3:09   22. I Don’t Want to Cry Anymore - 3:31   23. I’ll Never Be the Same - 3:10   24. For Every Man There’s a Woman - 2:12

Sources:
Tracks #1-12, from “ Jean Hoffman —Sings and Swings” (Fantasy 3260)
Tracks #13-24, from "Dorothy Carless —The Carless Torch” (Hifi Records R-403)

Personnel:

Personnel on "Sings and Swings":
Jean Hoffman, vocals & piano (electric piano on #1,3,9), accompanied by
Jack Weeks (bass), Bill Young (drums). Dean Reilly, replaces Weeks on #1.
Recorded in San Francisco, November 10 & 11, 1957

Personnel on "The Carless Torch":
Dorothy Carless, vocals, with Barney Kessel (guitar), Joe Mondragon (bass),
Milt Holland (vibes, glockenspiel, drums & bongos).
Tracks #13,14,18,19,21,22,23: guitar, vibes, bass.
Tracks #16,17,20: guitar, glockenspiel, bass
Track #15: guitar, bass, drums
Track #24: guitar, bass, bongos
Recorded in Los Angeles, 1956