Rita Moss – Queen Rita 1951-1969

15,73

SKU: Fresh Sound 983 Categories: ,

Description

Although Rita Moss (1918-2015) took piano lessons as a child, she was mostly a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who could play piano, organ and drums. She later became a singer too, endowed with a unique sound.

In June 1952, Jet magazine said: “Yma Sumac has a rival in cute Rita Moss, who has a sensational four-octave range voice. She is due for a bigtime treatment.” Her voice was a finely tuned instrument, played with the passionate fever of an artist in search for perfection. This, paired with her captivating act as a live performer, earned her the appreciation of fans, and eventually the nickname “Queen Moss” for her zealous, almost cult-like following.

After her first album, a writer at Billboard mentioned she had a “breezy, whimsical style that does not obscure the solidity of her jazz conceptions,” qualities that would remain constant throughout her career.

Track Listing:
1. I Never Was So Surprised - 2:56   2. I'll Be Waiting for You - 2:56   3. Darlin' - 3:20   4. Love Me Or Please Let Me Be - 3:11   5. You Never Had It So Good - 3:16   6. When Day Is Done - 2:38   7. Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe - 2:43   8. Memories of You - 3:18   9. Jungle Drums - 2:39   10. One Hundred Years from Today - 3:17   11. This Can't Be Love - 2:26   12. Did I Remember - 4:28   13. Take the “A” Train - 2:18   14. I Got It Bad and that Ain’t Good - 3:09   15. Bopligatto - 2:27   16. Exactly Like You - 3:42   17. My Romance - 5:05   18. I Only Have Eyes for You - 2:33   19. Love Is Here to Stay - 3:53   20. The Blue Room - 3:32

Sources:
Tracks #1 & 2, from 78 rpm, Glenn 1001
Tracks #3 & 4, from the 78 rpm, Decca 27873
Tracks #5 - 8, from the 45 rpm, Clef EP-256
Tracks #9 - 20, from the LP “Introducing Rita Moss” (Epic LN 3201)
Tracks #21 & 22, from the 45 rpm, Debonair D139/D137
Track #23, from the 45 rpm, Rozell K80H-1198

Personnel:

Personnel on #1 & 2:
Rita Moss & The Satisfiers with Sonny Dunham's Orchestra
Recorded in New York City, Spring 1951

Personnel on #3 & 4:
Rita Moss with Orchestra Arranged & Conducted by Neal Hefti
Buck Clayton, trumpet; Kai Winding, trombone; Artie Baker, alto sax; George Berg, tenor sax; Bernie Leighton, piano; Art Ryerson, George Barnes, guitar; Irv Manning, bass; Don Lamond, drums.
Recorded in New York City, September 12, 1951

Personnel on #5 to 8:
Rita Moss with Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by George Williams
Al Klink, Boomie Richman, tenor saxes; Teddy Napoleon, piano; Sam Bruno, guitar; Sonny Igoe, drums; Barton Fish, Morris Starzek, Arnold Eidus, Harry Katzman, Julius Schachter, Milton Lomask, violins.
Recorded in New York City, December 1952

Personnel on #9 to 20:
Rita Moss accompanied herself at piano, organ and bongos.
Recorded in New York City, December 1956

Personnel on #21 to 23:
Rita Moss accompanied herself at organ & piano
Recorded in Los Angeles, October 1957 and 1959 (#23)