Personnel: Peggy Lee (vocals); Ginny O'Connor, Bernie Parke, Les Baxter, Mel Torm‚ (vocals); Dave Barbour, Dick McDonough, Jack Lesberg , Art Ryerson, Al Hendrickson, Allan Reuss, Nappy Lamare, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sid Feller, Laurindo Almeida (guitar); Kathryn Tompson (harp); Mischa Russell, Henry Hill , Felix Slatkin, Lou Raderman, Harry Bluestone (violin); Cy Bernard, Eleanor Slatkin (cello); Victor Young & His Singing Strings (strings); Heine Beau (clarinet, saxophone); Matty Matlock, Barney Bigard, Benny Goodman (clarinet); Jules Kinsler (reeds, saxophone); Jules Jacobs, Bob Lawson, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt (reeds); Jules Jacob, John Hacker, Maurice Stein, Art Drelinger, Harry Lawson , Jack Greenberg, Milt Yaner (saxophone); Paul McLarand, Jack Dumont, Les Robinson (alto saxophone); Herbie Haymer (tenor saxophone); Uan Rasey, Conrad Gozzo , Joe Triscari, Pete Candoli, Ray Linn, Shorty Sherock, John McClanian Best Jr., Billy May, Zeke Zarchy, Bernie Privin, Buck Clayton (trumpet); John Graas, Sinclair Lott (French horn); Francis L. "Joe" Howard, Eddie Kusby, Lou McGarity, Si Zentner, Warren Covington, Buddy Morrow (trombone); Pete Johnson & His Boogie Woogie Boys , John Richard Lewis, Buddy Neil, Don Ferris, Jimmy Rowles, Milt Raskin, Bernie Leighton, Mel Powell, Buddy Cole (piano); Ralph Hensel (vibraphone, xylophone); Red Norvo (vibraphone); Harry Jaeger, Frank Guerrero, Ed Shaugnessy, Billy Exner, Nick Fatool, Irving Cottler (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Peter Rynston.
Liner Note Author: Joop Visser.
Recording information: Hollywood, CA (01/07/1944-06/03/1955); Los Angeles, CA (01/07/1944-06/03/1955); New York, NY (01/07/1944-06/03/1955).
Arrangers: Heine Beau; Dave Barbour; Bill May; Gordon Jenkins; Harold Mooney; Neal Hefti; Billy May.
This is a wonderful four-disc collection of tracks from Peggy Lee's first solo stint with Capitol Records in the mid- to late-1940s, shortly after she left her spot as a singer with Benny Goodman's band in 1943, and her early sides for Decca Records, who signed her in 1952. While many would argue that her best work was done a decade later during her second go-round with Capitol, the selections here (many of them done with husband Dave Barbour and his orchestra) show an assured vocalist with a firm understanding of the pop side of jazz. Among the classic highlights included are her out-of-the-gate hit for Capitol, "Waiting for the Train to Come In," the 1948 smash "Ma¤ana," "Golden Earrings," "Don't Smoke in Bed," "Black Coffee," and a stunning reading of "I've Got You Under My Skin." "Show Me the Way to Get Out of This World" (which leads off the third disc here) is a particular delight, with Lee's smooth phrasing sliding and descending effortlessly through the dwindling syllables of the chorus like a surfer shooting a rapids: "Show me the way to get out of this world/because that's where/everything is." Miss Wonderful is four discs and 104 tracks of cool, crafty, and undeniably sultry vocals by a masterfully nuanced singer. ~ Steve Leggett
