Anita O'Day at Mister Kelly's
Anita O'Day · 1958
33 min · 11 tracks · jazz
Anita O'Day's vibrant vocals interplay with deft jazz arrangements, capturing the essence of a lively Chicago nightclub performance.
Top tracks — play these first
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But Not for Me Start here — This opening track sets the tone with O'Day's expressive phrasing and emotional delivery, demonstrating her skill at interpreting standards.
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It Never Entered My Mind — O'Day's nuanced vocal performance here captures a deep sense of longing, making it a standout moment that reveals her lyrical sensitivity.
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The Song Is You — The closing number showcases O'Day's ability to combine technical precision with heartfelt emotion, leaving listeners with a lasting impression of her talent.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
O'Day's vibrant vocals and improvisational flair shine through in this live recording, capturing the essence of jazz performance.
What we noticed
- Anita O'Day's vocal lines often weave in and out of the instrumental sections, creating a dynamic interplay with the band.
- The album features several tracks that showcase O'Day's improvisational skills, particularly in her phrasing and timing.
- The arrangement of 'Tea for Two' includes a notable tempo shift that highlights both O'Day's vocal agility and the band's responsiveness.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- captivating vocals with playful charm
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- consistent melodic journey throughout
- ideal for intimate gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek high-energy dance tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Showcases O'Day's improvisational skills, solidifying her reputation in jazz.
- Career context
- Released in 1958, this album highlights Anita O'Day's rise as a prominent jazz vocalist following her breakout success in the 1950s. By this time, she had already established herself through collaborations with legends like Stan Kenton and was transitioning into a solo career that would define her artistry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan· Billie Holiday
Tracklist
- 1 But Not for Me Start here 3:09
- 2 I Have a Reason for Living / My Love for You 4:54
- 3 Varsity Drag 1:52
- 4 It Never Entered My Mind 3:06
- 5 Tea for Two 4:01
- 6 Everytime I'm With You 2:18
- 7 Have You Met Miss Jones 2:08
- 8 The Wildest Gal in Town 2:38
- 9 Star Eyes 3:06
- 10 Loneliness Is a Well 3:09
- 11 The Song Is You 3:18
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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