Jesse Belvin - Just Jesse Belvin + Mr. Easy [New CD] Spain - Import

2 LPs ON 1 CD + 3 BONUS TRACKSWith a great voice that combined Sam Cooke’s soulful feeling, Nat King Cole’s warm tone, and Sammy Davis Jr.’s casual intensity, the legendary Jesse Belvin (who died in a car accident in 1960 at the age of 27) was a pivotal figure in the development of ‘50s R&B and early soul. Belvin’s work merged the smooth, sophisticated West Coast sound with the more earthy southern approach. Whether he sang doo-wop style or crooning, his phrasing was magnificent, and he was also a prolific songwriter. This quintessential CD includes Jesse Belvin’s two classic albums for RCA Victor, both produced by Dick Peirce: his debut LP "Just Jesse Belvin" (taped in 1958, issued in 1959), which saw him moving into sophisticated pop with the hit ballad “Guess Who?”, and the posthumously issued and brilliant "Mr. Easy" (taped in 1959, issued in 1960), which paired Belvin with a sensational jazz band including Art Pepper (alto sax and clarinet), Jack Sheldon and Conte Candoli (trumpet), Frank Rosolino (trombone), and Russ Freeman (piano), among others. The latter LP also features wonderful arrangements by Marty Paich. These two soulful late-night masterpieces have been remastered and packaged together in this collector’s edition, which also contains 3 bonus tracks.PERSONNEL:JESSE BELVIN, lead vocals, plus:Collective personnel:ART PEPPER, alto sax and clarinetSHORTY ROGERS, trumpet & flugelhornJACK SHELDON, CONTE CANDOLI, trumpetFRANK ROSOLINO, tromboneBILL PITTMAN, guitarJOE MONDRAGON, bassRUSS FREEMAN, pianoMEL LEWIS, drumsOrchestras conducted by Marty Paich, Shorty Rogers, Ray Martin & Dennis Farnon.Recorded at RCA Victor’s studios in New York City and Hollywood, between 1958 and 1959.INCLUDES 16-PAGE BOOKLETTRACKS:JUST JESSE BELVIN (RCA Victor LSP-2089)01 SECRET LOVE 2:3002 LOVE IS HERE TO STAY 2:2003 OL’ MAN RIVER 2:2404 NOW YOU KNOW 2:2605 ZING! WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART 2:5006 GUESS WHO? 2:5507 WITCHCRAFT 2:2508 MY FUNNY VALENTINE 3:0009 FUNNY 2:2910 TAKE ME BACK TO THE ISLAND 2:2011 (I’M AFRAID) THE MASQUERADE IS OVER 3:2812 ALRIGHT, OKAY, YOU WIN 3:02MR. EASY (RCA Victor LSP -2105)13 IT’S ALRIGHT WITH ME 3:2714 SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME 2:3615 WHAT’S NEW? 3:2216 IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT 2:3917 BLUES IN THE NIGHT 4:3018 LET THERE BE LOVE 2:3019 IMAGINATION 3:3320 THE BEST IS YET TO COME 2:2621 MAKIN’ WHOOPEE! 3:2122 ANGEL EYES 3:1723 I’LL BUY YOU A STAR 2:3524 THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU 3:20BONUS TRACKS25 OLD MacDONALD – with The Chargers 2:1526 HUM-DE-DUM – with The Gassers 2:2127 DEACON DAN TUCKER 2:04TOTAL TIME: 76:27