Shelley Moore & Ann Williams – For the First Time / First Time Out

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

For the First Time...
The enchanting Shelley Moore was an English vocalist with a firm orientation towards jazz, and some rare, unquestionably appealing qualities as a singer. She was born in Essex, England, and through the 1950s she performed in nightclubs, for the American troops, and on British television and radio, which led to several singles. After touring the US with English bandleader Vic Lewis, she began singing with the Ray McKinley band, to move to the states formally in 1960. It only took a year for Ms. Moore to record her first album in Los Angeles—"For the First Time." Vocally, the album showcases her light, almost wistful quality, while instrumentally, the merit lies in the Ramsey Lewis group fitting Shelley Moore’s bent admirably, as well as in the individual instrumental performances, all of uniform quality.

First Time Out
Ann Williams (1928-2007) was a supper-club singer whose vocal talent enabled her to blend equally well jazz and pop repertoire. In 1960 she recorded her only album "First Time Out," where she sings cleanly and her diction and phrasing were precise, demonstrating as well a good range and a comfortable posture at either up or slow tempo. Jimmy Jones’ arrangements are very good ones of their type. They never get in the way of Miss Williams and give her attractive and airy backgrounds with some particularly good solo spots from Clark Terry, Frank Williams, Barry Galbraith and Seldon Powell.

Track Listing:
Shelley Moore: 1. For the First Time - 2:17   2. I Want to Be Happy - 1:43   3. Twilight - 2:22   4. I Give My Thanks to You - 2:32   5. So In Love - 2:23   6. The Thrill Is Gone - 4:43   7. Dancing in the Dark - 2:01   8. Summer Love - 2:29   9. I Hadn’t Anyone Till You - 2:50   10. Lonely Seasons - 2:33   Ann Williams: 11. Serenade in Blue - 2:25   12. Just Squeeze Me - 2:42   13. Now You’re Leaving Me - 2:00   14. The World Doesn’t Care - 2:10   15. I Wish You Love - 2:19   16. You and Our Lullaby - 3:09   17. When the Sun Comes Out - 2:12   18. Moonlight in Vermont - 3:00   19. I Wish I Were a Witch - 2:35   20. When a Woman Is Blue - 3:19   21. Deep In a Dream - 2:34   22. Everything I’ve Got - 1:41

Sources:
Tracks #1-10, from the album “Shelley Moore—For the First Time...” (Argo LPS 4016)
Tracks #11-22, from the album “Ann Williams—First Time Out” (Charlie Parker Records PLP-807-S)

Personnel:

Personnel on “For the First Time...”:
Shelley Moore, vocals
Accompanied by the Ramsey Lewis Trio
Ramsey Lewis, piano; Eldee Young, bass; Isaac “Redd” Holt, drums, plus John Collins, guitar; Eddie Harris, tenor sax (#2, 6, 7) Plas Johnson, flute (#1, 3, 8, 10) & tenor sax (#9).
Recorded at United Recording in Los Angeles, October 1961

Personnel on “First Time Out”:
Ann Williams, vocals
With Orchestra arranged and conducted by Jimmy Jones
Tracks #11, 14, 15, 17: Paul Webster, trumpet; Frank “Count” Williams, piano Barry Galbraith, guitar; Milt Hinton, bass; Herbie Lovelle, drums.
Recorded in New York City, May 10, 1960
Tracks #12, 18, 19, 21: Clark Terry, trumpet & flugelhorn; George Dorsey, clarinet & flute Phil Bodner, Romeo Penque, flute; Frank “Count” Williams, piano Barry Galbraith, guitar; Al Hall, bass; Osie Johnson, drums.
Recorded in New York City, May 13, 1960
Tracks #13, 16, 20, 22: Clark Terry, trumpet & flugelhorn; Seldon Powell, flute, clarinet & tenor sax Frank “Count” Williams, piano; George Duvivier, bass; Bobby Donaldson, drums Harry Lookofsky, George Ockner, violin; Dave Sawyer, viola; Janet Putnam, harp.
Recorded in New York City, May 16, 1960