Toni Harper and The Oscar Peterson Quartet – Toni (1956/2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 40:34 minutes | 700 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla
In 1956, when Toni Harper was just eighteen years old, she made her first album for Norman Granz’s Verve, the label he had started earlier that year. For her debut Harper, who had already made an impact as an almostbaby singer, was backed by none other than Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and Alvin Stoller. On display were all the traits that had made her a success: a good voice, a knack for swing, and brilliant intonation. She had traces of Sarah Vaughan in her singing, without ever becoming derivative or getting stuck in any one style.
Read more
Toni Harper – Night Mood (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 35:26 minutes | 667 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla
Toni Harper’s final RCA session pairs the singer with arranger Marty Paich to create the richly atmospheric after-hours album that she was born to make. By alternating between pop standards and jazz originals, Night Mood underscores the complete breadth of Harper’s talents. Even better than her sophisticated and poignant interpretations of chestnuts like “Round Midnight” and “My Ship” is a swinging rendition of “Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week” that deserves serious consideration as the song’s definitive treatment. Paich’s soulful arrangements further enhance the dusky beauty of Harper’s vocals, even making room for some lovely alto saxophone solos courtesy of the great Art Pepper.
Read more