"Let's Get Lost In Now" highlights the jazzy style that helped make Peggy Lee a legend. She has a breezy style that makes her sound too cool for the room. For me, this cut is a standout. In some quarters, David Gates is considered a songwriter who was to syrupy for his own good. Peggy's rendition of "Make It With You" should prove Gates' worth as a songwriter. Lee's soft interpretation of the lyrics and Mike Melvoin's bouncy, but light orchestration combine to create a perfect reading of the song.
"Passenger In the Rain" is a soft and mesmerizing ballad. The first time I heard this one, I thought there was something wrong with my stereo system because Peggy delivers the lyrics so softly — it is quite simply a beautiful song. Things speed up again with, "I've Never Been So Happy in My Life." The next track, "You'll Remember Me" originally appeared on Peggy's Bridge Over Troubled Water album. Apparently, Capitol hoped if the song was re-released, it would become a hit. The last track, "Goodbye," features a circus-sounding arrangement and a very strong vocal from Peggy.
Collector's Choice has released Make It With You with four bonus tracks. The first, "Pieces of Dreams," is a rare, 45-only track from Michael Legrand's score of the 1970 film. "Didn't We," is a previously unreleased track that has Peggy showing her skills as a balladeer with sparse accompaniment. Another previously unreleased track, "You're Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do)?" is a jazzy number with the blues undertones that Peggy does so well. The last bonus track, the previously unreleased "No More" has a jazzy, torch song feel that Peggy Lee fans will be pleased to hear.
Where Did They Go was originally released in July of 1971. Opening the album is the moody title track. The baroque style delivery is yet another style we can add to Miss Lee's impressive repertoire. "My Rock and Foundation" is a lesser known Burt Bacharach/Hal David composition and one of the few occasions where it sounds like a song isn't particularly suited to Miss Lee. The tempo is slow and the backup singers are utterly unnecessary.
Article comments
1 - Holly A Hughes
I remember when these songs came out -- it seemed profoundly irritating that someone of Lee's generation would be trying to act hip by covering the "now" music. Now I realize she was a big enough star that she didn't need to piggyback on anybody else's art. I'm still not convinced she brought the right sensibility to the table for some of this material, but at least I admire her for wanting to explore new territory. You wouldn't have caught Sinatra, for example, stepping outside of his comfort zone like that.
2 - Leslie Bohn
Ms Hughes:
You would have caught him. Sinatra recorded songs by almost all of the songwriters mentioned: Kristofferson, Lennon/McCartney, Harrison, Gates, Sondheim, Bacahrach/David, Anka, off the top of my head. Not sure he ever recorded anything by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Can't think of any.