The Chris Connor Bio-Discography:
Chronological List Of Recordings
(Undated Issues Listed Last)
by Iván Santiago Mercado

Return To This Discography's First Page

The Claude Thornhill Orchestra (ldr), Gil Evans (arr), Claude Thornhill (con, p), Danny Polo, Jerry Therkeld (cl, as), Drew Moore, Mario Rollo (ts), Bill Bushey (bar), John Carisi, John Napton, Gene Roland (t), Leon Cox, Allan Langstaff (tb), Addison Collins, Arthur Sussman (frh), Barry Galbraith (g), Joe Shulman (b), William Exiner (d), Chris Connor, The Snowflakes (v)

NOTES:
Explanatory Comment About This Discography's Index Of Issues.

One special feature of Brian (the excellent discographical program with which I have prepared this discography) is the option to incorporate notes to indexes such as this one. Taking full advantage of this recently created feature, I have included quite a few notes under the albums and singles listed below. Duplicates of many of these notes can also be found in the main body of this work, the sessionography.

This automatically generated index lists all the issues (CDs, LPs, singles, etc.) that are part of the Chris Connor discography. The issues are ordered chronologically, by year of release. Issues for which I have no release data are placed at the end of the page.

The Claude Thornhill Orchestra (ldr), Claude Thornhill (arr, con, p), Danny Polo, Jerry Therkeld (cl, as), Drew Moore, Mario Rollo (ts), Bill Bushey (bar), John Carisi, John Napton, Gene Roland (t), Leon Cox, Allan Langstaff (tb), Addison Collins, Arthur Sussman (frh), Barry Galbraith (g), Joe Shulman (b), William Exiner (d), Chris Connor, The Snowflakes (v)

Jerry Wald and His Orchestra (ldr), Jerry Wald (con, cl), Herb Geller, Sam Zittman (as), Buddy Arnold (ts), George Berg, Eddie Caine (bar), Al Derisi, Al Porcino, Dick Sherman, Al Stewart (t), Jack Hitchcock, Sonny Russo (tb), Billy Bauer (g), Eddie Safranski (b), Jack Kelly (p), Don Lamond (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
"Cherokee" is more of an instrumental than a vocal. Chris Connor hums the melody, very briefly, toward the end of the performance. No lyrics are sung.

Jerry Wald and His Orchestra (ldr), Jerry Wald (con, cl), Herb Geller, Sam Zittman (as), Buddy Arnold (ts), George Berg, Eddie Caine (bar), Al Derisi, Al Porcino, Dick Sherman, Al Stewart (t), Jack Hitchcock, Sonny Russo (tb), Billy Bauer (g), Eddie Safranski (b), Jack Kelly (p), Don Lamond (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
"Terremoto" is actually a wordless vocal. In truth, the performance features very little of Connor, and very little of a vocal. She just hums the melody, briefly, at the beginning of the performance.

Jerry Wald and His Orchestra (ldr), Jerry Wald (con, cl), Herb Geller, Sam Zittman (as), Buddy Arnold (ts), George Berg, Eddie Caine (bar), Al Derisi, Al Porcino, Dick Sherman, Al Stewart (t), Jack Hitchcock, Sonny Russo (tb), Billy Bauer (g), Eddie Safranski (b), Jack Kelly (p), Don Lamond (d), Chris Connor (v)

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Lee Gillette (pdr), Bill Russo (arr, tb), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Maynard Ferguson, Ruben McFall (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Harry DeAlmeida (tam), Chris Connor (v), The Stan Kenton Orchestra (bkv)

NOTES:
In England, these two vocals were not issued on the same 78 single. "And The Bull Walked Around, Olé!" was combined with "Harlem Nocturne" (78 #LC-13939), "Jeepers Creepers" with the instrumental "The Creep" (78 #LC-14054). Both "Harlem Nocturne" and "The Creep" are Kenton instrumentals. All 4 masters were recorded in 1953.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Bill Russo (arr), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga, Henry "Hank" Levy (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley, Glen Roberts (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Harry DeAlmeida (tam), Chris Connor, The Stan Kenton Orchestra (v)

NOTES:
Chris Connor contributes a wordless vocal to "Baia," which is credited on the label of the released single as an instrumental -- with no mention made of Connor's contribution. The flip side ("All About Ronnie") does credit "Chris Connors."

The September 19, 1953 issue of Melody Maker contains the following review: "All About Ronnie is a showcase for Stan Kenton's recent vocal discovery Chris Connor. He intended the record to be the one that would set the glamorous 25 year old Kansas City girl on the road to international fame, and was so concerned that it should do her full justice that he turned down the first recording, remade the title at a subsequent session and then scrapped that and did yet another remake at a later date. Yet, after all that, Capitol has not even stated on the label that the side features a vocalist, let alone her. Which is a pity, because Miss Connor certainly deserves a label credit. She may not be the world's greateat ever, but she shows up here as a modern style torch singer who can hold her own with any of the contemporaries in the field. She has a vibrant, luscious tone, sings well technically and knows how to tug the heart strings without descending to the exaggerated emotionalism and other affectations of the Johnnie Rays and other horrors, male and female, who somehow get themselves accepted as vocalists. Chris also has a leading role in Baia, but of a very different kind. Her voice is used 'instrumentally.' Maybe you won't think the result compares very favourably with Duke Ellington's Kay Davies or the bop offerings of Jackie Cain but if so the blame will be less Miss Connor's and more that of the arranger, the recording, and whoever directed her. The arrangement does no more than give the melody to articulate without any attempt to blend her with the rest of the band; the recording makes too much use of the echo chamber; and someone seems to have told her to just doo-ee-oo. The outcome is anything but imaginative or subtle as far as Chris' contribution is concerned. Otherwise the record is a typical Kenton Latin-American styled presentation, and while not his best, should satisfy most Kenton enthusiasts."

This single was released in England as a 78 disc with catalogue number CL-13691.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Pete Rugolo (arr), Bill Russo (arr, tb), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Henry "Hank" Levy (bsx), Conte Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Frank Rosolino (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
These are selections from a much longer set that Chris Connor performed at a Cornell University concert appearance with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. (For Connor's full concert set, see Concert, Radio And Television page, April 15, 1953.) The concert was sponsored by the university's Junior Class Council Special Events Committee. This souvenir LP was given just to members of the university's Rhythm Club. Other listeners, not present at the date, were still able to enjoy the full broadcast thanks to its transmission on Ithaca's public radio station WVBR.

In the specific case of this non-commmercial item, please bear in mind that the assigned release date is actually an educated guess of mine.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Bill Russo (arr), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Henry "Hank" Levy (bar), Conte Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Glen Roberts (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Relying on ads that Capitol placed in Billboard magazine issues from 1953 and early 1954, I am assigning a second-half-of-1953 release date to this album.

A February 20, 1954 ad lists both the EP and the 10" LP as available. The earlier (1953) ads do not clarify which configurations were available during that year; they just indicate that Portraits On Standards was available to the public in some shape or form.

As for the 12" LP version, it seems to have been issued in 1955 or, at the earliest, 1954.

In England, the original 10" LP was issued with catalogue number LC-6697.

Later reissues include a LP on Creative World and various CDs, such as a domestic one released in 2001 and a British disc, on Music For Pleasure (CDDL-1293).

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), The Sy Oliver Orchestra (acc), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Sid Block (b), Dave Martin (p), Jimmy Crawford (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), The Sy Oliver Orchestra (acc), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Sid Block (b), Dave Martin (p), Jimmy Crawford (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Everett Barksdale (g), Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Chris Connor (v), Bob Garrity (spk)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland. I have added the clarification "part 1" to differentiate it from another Bethlehem EP with the same title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Everett Barksdale (g), Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland. I have added the clarification "part 2" to differentiate it from another Bethlehem EP with the same title. In England, London Records released this EP as EZ-N 19010.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet (acc), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), Joe Cinderella (g), Vinnie Burke (b), Don Burns (pac), Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers. I have added the clarification "part 1" to differentiate it from another Bethlehem EP with the same title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet (acc), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), Joe Cinderella (g), Vinnie Burke (b), Don Burns (pac), Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers. I have added the clarification "part 2" to differentiate it from another Bethlehem EP with the same title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Everett Barksdale (g), Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Chris Connor (v), Bob Garrity (spk)

NOTES:
This LP was Bethlehem's very first album in its 10" series. It contains all the tracks which were released that same year (1954) in the two EPs of the same title (BEP-101A, BEP-101B).

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet (acc), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), Joe Cinderella (g), Vinnie Burke (b), Don Burns (pac), Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Along with Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland, this was one of the two albums that lauched Bethlehem's 10" LP series in 1954. It contains all the tracks which were also released, in the two EPs of the same title (BEP-102A, BEP-102B), on that same year.

The back cover shortens the title of the song "How Long Has This Beeen Goin On?" to just "How Long?"

In London, this 10" LP was issued by London Records as LZ-NI4007.

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), The Sy Oliver Orchestra (acc), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Sid Block (b), Dave Martin (p), Jimmy Crawford (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply Chris. I have added the clarification "part 1" to differentiate it from later EPs that bear the same title (BEP-127 and BEP-130).

Bethlehem seems to have mistakenly released two EPs with catalogue number BEP-114: this one by Chris Connor and another one by Helen Carr, also a vocalist under Bethlehem contract in the mid-1950s. I hasten to add that my points on this subject matter should be deemed tentative, because I have not seen physical copies of either EP. My source for the claim about Carr is the back cover of another issue (BEP-126), in which a partial listing of Bethlehem's EP catalogue has been printed. In that listing, EP #114 is identified as Helen Carr's, not Chris Connor's. As for the reason why I claim that there is also a Connor EP numbered BEP-114, I have seen online photos and also have reliable data about it.

The release date that I am offering for Chris (BEP-114) is tentative, too. This EP could have come out in either 1954 or 1955.

It is also worth noting that Bethlehem assigned to Chris Connor a full sequence of EP catalogue numbers: #126, #127, #129, and #130. It stands to reason that the one number missing from the sequence (i.e., 128) would have also been assigned to Connor. However, I have found no mention of an EP with that number anywhere. I am thus left to ponder whether the number was left unused. Perhaps the Connor EP under discussion was slated to bear catalogue number BEP-128, but was instead erroneously given the number BEP-114, which belonged to the Helen Carr item?

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply This Is Chris. I have added the clarification "part 1" to differentiate it from other Bethlehem EPs with the same title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), Sy Oliver (arr, con), The Sy Oliver Orchestra, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, J. J. Johnson, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Puma (g), Sid Block, Milt Hinton (b), Dave Martin, Ralph Sharon (p), Jimmy Crawford, Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply Chris. I have added the clarification "part 2" to differentiate it from another Bethlehem EP that bears the same title (BEP-114).

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply This Is Chris. I have added the clarification "part 2" to differentiate it from other Bethlehem EPs with the same title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Sy Oliver Orchestra, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Puma (g), Sid Block, Milt Hinton (b), Dave Martin, Ralph Sharon (p), Jimmy Crawford, Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The title of this EP is simply Chris. I have added the clarification "part 3" to differentiate it from other Bethlehem EPs with the same title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From England:
1. London LP: LZ-N14036

From Japan:
2. ?Bethlehem ?LP: PAP-23029
3. Bethlehem LP: LLF1005
4. Polydor LP: MP2334
5. Angel ?LP: HV-3021
6. CBS Sony LP: 22AP-233
7. Nippon Columbia LP: COJY 9025
8. Nippon Columbia CD: 33CY1641 (1987, twofer)
9. Nippon Columbia CD: CY-3779 (1989, "Bethlehem Original Vocal Collection" Series)
10. Nippon Columbia CD: COCY 9921 (1992, "Vocal" series, no bonus tracks)
11. Nippon Columbia CD: COCY 75723
12. Nippon Columbia CD: COCY-78662 (1995)
13. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ 62014 (1997)
14. EMI Toshiba CD: 6347 (2005)
15. EMI Toshiba CD: 6351 (2006)
16. Victor CD: VICJ 61462 (2007, miniature LP edition)

From the United States:
17. Bethlehem LP: BCP-5017 (1958)
18. Evidence CD: 20-5017-2 (1994; "Bethlehem Jazz Classic Series;" 12 bonus alternate takes)
19. Avenue Jazz CD: R2 76684 (2000; 12 bonus alternate takes)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ralph Burns (con), Ray Beckenstein, Sam Markowitz (as), Zoot Sims, Al Young (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Nick Travis (t), Barry Galbraith (g), Milt Hinton, Oscar Pettiford (b), John Lewis, Moe Wechsler (p), Osie Johnson, Connie Kay (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
In addition to the 11 tracks listed above, this album includes one more, which is shown immediately belowi, in the next entry.

Connor's eponymous album was her debut on Atlantic Records, and has been touted as "the first jazz vocal LP ever released" on that label.

Out of all her albums, Atlantic 1228 was the one that Connor most often listed as a favorite of hers, too. (She was not completely consistent on this matter, however. Over the years, she occasionally singled other albums as her favorites as well, leaving this one unmentioned.)

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Australia:
1. Warner International / Special Markets CD: 273138 (2008; "Atlantic Master" Series)

From England:
2. London LP: HA-K-220
3. London LP: SAH-K 6032
4. WEA International CD: 7567-80769-2 (2000; "Atlantic Original Sound" Series; might have also been reissued or previously issued with a different catalogue number -- 130036? -- and as part of a different series)

From Japan:
5. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1050 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series; 2 bonus tracks)
6. Warner Music CD: WPCR-25017 (2005)
7. Warner Music CD: WPCR-25163 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio; 2 bonus tracks)

From the United States:
8. Collectables CD: COL 6239 (1999; twofer with two bonus tracks; misses two of the original album's tracks)
9. Collectables CD: COL 0403 (2006; 4CD box; misses the same two original tracks as #8 and includes above-mentioned bonus tracks, which were taken from singles)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Beckenstein, Sam Markowitz (as), Zoot Sims, Al Young (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Nick Travis (t), Barry Galbraith (g), Milt Hinton (b), Moe Wechsler (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This entry is actually a continuation of the one immediately above. (I have made separate entries for the track "Get Out Of Town" because Atlantic released two different vocal versions of it, one in the mono album, the other in the stereo album. The stereo LP was released in 1958.)

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ralph Burns (con), Ray Beckenstein, Sam Markowitz (as), Zoot Sims, Al Young (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Nick Travis (t), Barry Galbraith (g), Milt Hinton (b), Moe Wechsler (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
EP version of Chris Connor's eponymous debut album for Atlantic Records. I have not been able to find much data about it anywhere; the release date shown herein is an educated guess.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr, con), The Ray Ellis Orchestra (acc), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr, con), The Ray Ellis Orchestra (acc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
According to an article in the December 15, 1956 issue of Billboard magazine, "Atlantic signed Miss Connor as an album artist, and then decided to chance a couple of singles for the pop market. I Miss You So, the second of these singles, based on an old rhythm and blues hit, was released in August. Diskery worked on it a long time until it finally broke with heavy rotation in Detroit, Boston, and Cleveland ... This is one of the rare occasions that a jazz vocalist's disk has proved to be a strong pop seller."

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Ralph Burns (arr, con), Ralph Burns Orchestra (acc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
According to Goldmine's Price Guide To Collectible Jazz Albums 1949-1969 , the stereo version of this album was not released until 1960.

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Japan:
1. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1058 (Japan, 1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series)
2. Warner WPCR-25173 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio)

From the United States:
3. Collectables CD: COL 6239 (1999; twofer)
4. Collectables CD: COL 0403 (2006; 4CD box)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Cinderella, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Don Burns (pac), Osie Johnson, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
As I have indicated in the title, this early compilation culls masters recorded for Bethlehem by three female singers. It was reissued on CD by EMI Toshiba in 1999, catalogue number TOCJ-62074. In England, it was also split into three EPs; see the 1957 entry for London's Girl Friends.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr, con), The Ray Ellis Orchestra (acc), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr, con), The Ray Ellis Orchestra (acc), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr), Stan Free (arr, p), Ralph Sharon (arr, p, cel), Herbie Mann, Sam Most (f), Peanuts Hucko (cl), Eddie Wasserman (bcl, ts), Al Cohn (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Joe Newman, Doc Severinsen (t), Eddie Bert, James "Jimmy" Cleveland, Warren Covington, Jim Thompson (tb), Barry Galbraith, Mundell Lowe, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Wendell Marshall, Oscar Pettiford (b), Hank Jones (p), Eddie Costa, Milt Jackson (vib), Ronnie Free, Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy (d), John Rodrigues (bo), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Jazz And Pop Vocalists Who Recorded Gershwin Songbooks In The Mid- To Late 1950s

This ambitious all-Gershwin project was Atlantic's answer to the series of successful 12" LP songbooks (Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, etc.) that Verve had been asking Ella Fitzgerald to record since 1956. It was advertised in the June 17, 1957 issue of Billboard magazine as "the biggest single packaging project in [Atlantic's] history ... long in the planning stage ... [with] different ensembles." It seems to have been issued in monophonic sound only.

Connor's set was actually the earliest (1957) of three Gerswhin songbooks by female singers that were released in the late 1950s, the other two being Sarah Vaughan's on Mercury (1958) and Fitzgerald's on Verve (1959). All three sets contain a minimum of 20 numbers, with Connor's set surpassing the 30-song mark and Fitzgerald nearly doubling it up.

During these same years, there were also numerous album versions of the Gershwins' show Porgy and Bess, some of them recorded by solo acts (e.g., Pearl Bailey in 1959), some of them by the rosters of various record companies (e.g., Bethlehem, who enlisted Mel Tormé, Frances Faye, and Duke Ellington in 1956). Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac Of Song actually includes a three-song medley from the show; see session dated February 26, 1957.

B. Track Listing (LP Versus CD)

Although 32 titles are listed above, the original Almanac's total number of tracks is officially 30. Counted as one track is the aforementioned three-piece medley of songs from "Porgy And Bess": "Summertime," "There's A Boat Dat's Leaving For New York," and "I Loves You, Porgy." (The CD version contain the same 30 tracks plus four bonus numbers, for a total of 34 tracks.)

The first of the two LPs covers 16 tracks, from "Somebody Loves Me" to "Embraceable You." (In the CD versions, the first disc also contains 16 tracks, but the songs have been sequenced in a manner completely different from
the vinyl.)

C. Mono/Stereo Sound

The Almanac consists of two LPs and was -- as far as I can ascertain -- released in monophonic sound only. (See also comments under the 1960 issues Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac Of Song, Volume 1 and Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac Of Song, Volume 2.)

D. Reissues

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP set.

From Japan:
1. Atlantic 2CD: AMCY-1051 & AMCY-1052 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series)
2. Warner CD: WPCR-25018 (2005)
3. Warner 2CD: WPCR-25164 / 25165 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio. "Quality silver pressing and top notch printing.")
4. Warner 2CD: WPCR-75362 / 75363 (2008; "Forever Young" Series; 24-bit audio)
[All these editions are listed as containing 4 bonus tracks. They are the same 4 bonuses that were released in the 1989 American edition, listed below.]

From the United States:
5. Atlantic 2CD: 601-2 (1989; includes 4 bonus tracks)
{6-8.} The original 1957 LP was scheduled for reissue in 1960 as two separate items (i.e., volume 1 and 2). However, I have yet to find verification that Atlantic actually released them; they might have been cancelled. In 1963, Atlantic's budget branch Clarion also released a drastically shortened, 10-song LP version, entitled Chris Connor Sings George Gershwin.

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr), Stan Free (arr, p), Ralph Sharon (arr, p, cel), Herbie Mann, Sam Most (f), Peanuts Hucko (cl), Eddie Wasserman (bcl, ts), Al Cohn (ts), Joe Newman (t), James "Jimmy" Cleveland, Warren Covington, Jim Thompson (tb), Barry Galbraith, Mundell Lowe, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Wendell Marshall (b), Hank Jones (p), Eddie Costa, Milt Jackson (vib), Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy (d), John Rodrigues (bo), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Atlantic issued 4 EPs containing songs culled from Connor's Gershwin sessions. Aside from the printed title, the front covers of those EPs bear no similarity to the cover of the 12" Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac Of Song album. Whereas the LP features a photo of the singer, the EPs have no photo and no other type of artwork. They show just the the title and the artist's name. Each is a blank canvas of a different color: black (#593), green (#594), blue (#595), and red (#596). My thanks to Donald Martin for his kind and extensive help during the process of researching these EPs.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr), Stan Free, Ralph Sharon (arr, p), Eddie Wasserman (bcl, ts), Al Cohn (ts), Joe Newman (t), James "Jimmy" Cleveland, Warren Covington, Jim Thompson (tb), Barry Galbraith, Mundell Lowe (g), Milt Hinton, Wendell Marshall, Oscar Pettiford (b), Hank Jones (p), Eddie Costa, Milt Jackson (vib), Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy (d), John Rodrigues (bo), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The front cover of this EP has no photo and no other type of artwork. It is a nearly blank canvas, colored green, and showing just the artist's name and the issue's title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Stan Free (arr, p), Ralph Sharon (arr, p, cel), Herbie Mann, Sam Most (f), Peanuts Hucko (cl), Al Cohn (ts), Joe Newman (t), Mundell Lowe, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Oscar Pettiford (b), Eddie Costa, Milt Jackson (vib), Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy (d), John Rodrigues (bo), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The front cover of this EP has no photo and no other type of artwork. It is a nearly blank canvas, colored blue, and showing just the artist's name and the issue's title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr), Ralph Sharon (arr, p, cel), Herbie Mann (f), Eddie Wasserman (bcl, ts), Al Cohn (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Doc Severinsen (t), Eddie Bert, James "Jimmy" Cleveland, Warren Covington, Jim Thompson (tb), Barry Galbraith, Mundell Lowe (g), Wendell Marshall, Oscar Pettiford (b), Stan Free, Hank Jones (p), Ronnie Free, Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The front cover of this EP has no photo and no other type of artwork. It is a nearly blank canvas, colored red, and showing just the artist's name and the issue's title.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr, con), The Ray Ellis Orchestra (acc), Al Cohn (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Doc Severinsen (t), Eddie Bert (tb), Mundell Lowe (g), Wendell Marshall (b), Stan Free (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. A Compilation Of Singles (11 Tracks From Singles Sessions + 1 From An Album Session)

This 1957 collection gathered all the songs that Chris Connor had hitherto recorded at singles sessions (as opposed to album sessions):

2/15/56 (all 4 numbers from the session)
7/28/56 (all 3 numbers from the session)
10/16/56 (all 4 numbers from the session)

The collection's twelfth song ("They All Laughed") is a master recorded as part of the sessions for the album Chris Connor Sings The Gershwin Almanac Of Song, but not included in that set. (It was included as a bonus track, however, in the CD version of the Almanac.)

B. Numbers Issued On 45 Versus Previously Unissued Numbers

Two thirds of I Miss You So had previously appeared on Atlantic singles:

Atlantic #1097: Go 'Way From My Window / Past The Age of Innocence
Atlantic #1105: I Miss You So / My Heart Is So Full of You
Atlantic #1121: Time Out For Tears / I Love You Yes I Do
Atlantic #1138: Trust In Me / Mixed Emotions

The other third consists of songs that had never been issued before:

My Ideal (recorded during singles session dated 2/15/56)
Speak Low (recorded during singles session dated2/15/56)
Radar Blues (recorded during singles session dated 7/28/56)
They All Laughed (recorded during Gershwin Almanac session dated 4/24/57)

C. Release Date

Goldmine's Price Guide To Collectible Jazz Albums 1949-1969 gives a 1956 date to I Miss You So. Given the album's inclusion of a song that was recorded in 1957 ("They All Laughed"), the price guide must be wrong. The best evidence that 1957 is the correct date comes from the following comments, made by the album's liner annotator, Ren Grenvatt:

"And what has happened to jazz in the dozen years since the end of World War II literally amounts to rebirth ......."

"Ten years or so later in 1957, jazz had gone through its growing pains. A new and genuine music has evolved."

One copy of the album -- possibly a library copy -- bears a December 27, 1957 date stamped on its back. It thus seems that I Miss You So came out late in 1957. It certainly came out after Chris Connor Sings The Gershwin Almanac Of Song, because that set is mentioned by Grenvatt in his liner notes.
The original LP was released in mono only.

D. Reissues
I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues.

From Japan:
1. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1059 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series; 4 bonus tracks)
2. Warner CD: WPCR-25172 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio; 4 bonus tracks)

From the United States:
3. Collectables CD: COL 6814 (2001; twofer)
4. Collectables CD: COL 0403 (2006; 4-CD box)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

E. A Sequel
Another LP that also compiles Connor's pop singles on Atlantic Records, and which can be considered a sequel to this one, is Misty, released in Japan only, in 1975.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr, con), The Ray Ellis Orchestra (acc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This EP is identified as I Miss You So in some sources but as Chris Connor in other sources. A look at the actual front cover reveals that the correct choice is just the singer's name. As for "I Miss You So", it is the title of the EP's first track.

I Miss You So is also the title of the 12" LP that contains this EP's 4 numbers, along with 8 others. Both the EP and the LP consist chiefly of songs that had been previously issued as singles.

Although the EP is basically a mini-edition of the LP, their respective covers couldn't be more different from one another. The LP features a photo of two couples by some trees. One of the couples is kissing. The front cover of the EP does not have a photo. It is just a black canvas with the name "Chris Connor" in large white lettering, plus the catalogue number, "atlantic ep 580," rendered in small green lettering.

My primary sources do not give a release date for Atlantic EP #580. I found the above-given 1957 release year in a secondary source. For that reason, this bit of information should be considered tentative and in need of further corroboration. (That said, my belief is that, out of the alternatives at hand, 1957 makes the most sense.)

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Sy Oliver Orchestra, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, J. J. Johnson, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Everett Barksdale, Joe Cinderella, Joe Puma (g), Sid Block, Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins, Dave Martin, Ralph Sharon (p), Don Burns (pac), Jimmy Crawford, Osie Johnson, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v), Bob Garrity (spk)

NOTES:
This Bethlehem LP (BCP 56) was actually issued under two titles: Chris and The Rich Sound Of Chris Connor. The two versions contain the same tracks and feature the same Burt Goldblatt photo on the front cover. There are a few minor differences between them, though. Most notably, the cover of The Rich Sound Of Chris Connor lists the album's twelve tracks and identifies the accompaniment as "Sy Oliver and others." On the other hand, neither tracks nor accompaniment are to be found in the front cover of Chris.

For this release, Bethlehem combined previously issued numbers (half of the album; specifically, the 1954 masters + the 1955 performance of "From This Moment On") with numbers that were making their comercial debut (the other 1955 numbers and the trio of 1953 masters).

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From England:
1. London LP: HA-K2020
2. London LP: HB-N1074
3. Ember LP: 3341 (under the title The Magic Of Chris Connor, 1962)

From Japan:
4. CBS Sony LP: 22AP-234
5. Ember LP: PAP-Ember EMB-3341 (I have not seen a copy, but I presume that its title is The Magic Of Chris Connor)
6. Angel LP: HV-3
7. Nippon Columbia CD: 33CY-1641 (1987, twofer)
8. Nippon Columbia CD: COCY-6491 (1990, "Bethlehem Original Vocal Collection" Series)
9. Nippon Columbia CD: COCY-9931 (1992, "Vocal" Series)
10. Nippon Columbia CD: COCY-78663 (1995)
11. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-62015 (1999)
12. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-9617 (2004, miniature LP edition, 24 bit remaster CD, original 12 tracks only)
13. Victor CD: VICJ 61463 (2007, miniature LP edition)

From the United States:
14. Evidence CD (1994): 20-4011-2 (1994; "Bethlehem Jazz Classic Series;" 12 bonus alternate takes)
14. Avenue Jazz CD: R2 75988 (2000; 12 bonus alternate takes)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Sy Oliver Orchestra (acc), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Everett Barksdale, Joe Cinderella (g), Sid Block, Vinnie Burke, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins, Dave Martin (p), Don Burns (pac), Jimmy Crawford, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. A Reissue Of Which Earlier Album(s)?

An oddity about this 12" LP is that, contrary to expectations, it is not an expanded edition of the 1954 10" LP of the same title. At least, not fully so. This 12" version actually skips 3 of the 8 numbers that had appeared in the 10" issue (namely, "I Hear Music," "Come Back To Sorrento," "All About Ronnie"), and adds 9 numbers. Therefore, the twelve incher is, at most, a partial, rather than a full reissue of the 10 incher.

Actually, there is a more precise description of what this album is or isn't. Rather than a partial reissue of just the 10" LP Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland, the 12" LP is best understood as a partial reissue of both that ten incher and its companion, Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers. Of the 16-total song output from that pair of albums, the LP under discussion includes 11. One likely reason why the other 5 numbers were not included: they had already been issued on the 12" format, as part of the LP Chris, which Bethlehem had released earlier in 1957.

This 12" LP (Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland) also includes 3 songs culled from Connor's debut Bethlehem session. All three of them had been previously issued on 78 and EP, but not on LP.

B. Total Number Of Tracks: 12 Or 13?

Some online sites list only 13 tracks for this album. My copy definitely has 14 tracks, and so do the other copies that I have seen. However, the LP exists in two versions -- as discussed in the next paragraph. Perhaps the version with which I am not completely acquainted misses one track. (Should that be the case, the missing track would be "Ask Me.")

C. Collectors' Corner: Alternate Cover Artwork

Yet one more irregularity about this album (BCP 6004) is that it came in two slightly different front covers. The covers are actually shots from the same photo session. Both show Connor from her shoulders up, caught in the act of singing. She is wearing a yellow shirt. In the most widely disseminated cover, the singer's mouth is wide open and her eyes are closed. In the rarer cover, her mouth is barely open (showing just her upper teeth) and her eyes are open. Otherwise, cover and artwork are essentially identical, and the tracks are the same in both versions.

The catalogue number is the same for the American versions, but in Japan the covers can be found in different labels, for instance, Angel HV 3001 uses the "open mouth" cover, whereas Polydor MP 3240 features the "closed mouth" photo.

My copy of the "open mouth" version is actually a reissue that keeps the original BCP 6004 catalogue number but identifies itself as a 1984 pressing from Cayre Industries.

D. Reissues

This 1957 album has been reissued many times. I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues.

From England:
1. Parlophone LP: PMC 1082

From France:
2. 6823MY217 (unknown whether this is a LP or a CD; label is listed as Bethlehem but should actually be whichever French label had the rights to issue and/or distribute the original album)

From Japan:
3. Angel ?LP: HV-3001
4. Polydor ?LP: MP-3240
5. CBS/Sony LP: SOPL283BH (release date believed to fall between 1973 and 1979)
6. Nippon Columbia LP: COJY-9023
7. Trio LP: PAP-23003 (14 original songs)
8. Nippon Columbia CD: 30CY1432 (1987, no bonus tracks)
9. Nippon Columbia CD: COCY-9916 (1992, "Vocal" series, no bonus tracks)
10. Nippon Columbia CD: COCY-78661 (1995, two bonus alternate tracks = 16 tracks)
11. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-62016 (1999, two bonus alternate takes = 16 tracks)
12. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCP-9307 (2001)
13. ___ CD: KICJ-456 (2003)
14. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-6342 (2005; 24-bit audio)
15. Victor CD: VICJ-61452 (2007, "miniature LP" edition, two bonus alternate takes, "miniature LP" edition; listings indicate that "Why Shouldn't I?" and "Stella By Starlight" are the bonus alternate tracks)
16. Victor CD: VICJ-61633 (2010, two bonus alternate takes; listings indicate that "Why Shouldn't I?" and "Stella By Starlight" are the bonus alternate tracks)

From the United States:
17. Evidence CD: 20-3005-2 (1992)
18. Jazz Heritage Society CD: 5172478 (1992)
19. Avenue Jazz CD: R2 79851 (2000)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Cinderella, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Don Burns (pac), Osie Johnson, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The London's Girl Friends EP series consists of three volumes, each dedicated to a different female singer. Gamely, London Records' first volume is dedicated to, well, Julie London. The second EP spotlights Chris Connor, the third Carmen McRae. All three EPs were apparently released in the United Kingdom and in Australia but not in the United States.

These EPs are actually mini-versions of the American LP Bethlehem's Girfriends. That LP's tracks are the same ones found in the EPs. Whereas the LP's front cover features separate photos of the three singers (every photo occupying one fourth of the cover's size), each EP features the one pertinent picture, in full EP size.

The photo on the cover of volume 2 is another shot from the session that also generated the artwork of the 12" LP Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland. However, the EP shot was taken from the distance -- unlike the 12" LP photo, which shows Connor's face at close range. The EP's photograph reveals that Connor is actually standing by a tree. She is wearing a yellow shirt, and her hair looks very blonde.

Chris Connor (ldr), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Ralph Sharon (arr, p), Sam Most (f), Al Cohn, Lucky Thompson (ts), Joe Wilder (t), Joe Puma (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Eddie Costa (vib), Osie Johnson (d), Francisco "Chino" Pozo (bo), Ramon 'Mongo' Santamaria (cng), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Release Date

Curiously, this album's sessions were recorded in 1956, but the album itself was not released until 1958. The reason for the delay remains unknown to me.

B. Critical Reception

The May 1958 issue of the Atlantic Long Playing Newsletter (a company's promotional tool) declares that

{beginning of quote} this Chris Connor LP was widely hailed as the "best she has ever done." The critics saw her "at the top of her form" and several expressed the opinion that she is on the verge of a new phase of her career. The LP received the "Spotlight" review in Billboard; Chris readings were termed "inimitable" and "a sure winner with jazz buffs." Fred Sherman of the Miami Herald raved: "A nice mixture of girl and music. The album demonstrates just how far out this blond vocalist can get. But she never had better backing that on this date and never has she been given greater license with the flatted sighs." {end of quote}

C. Reissues

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From England:
1. London LP: LTZ-K15142 ("Jazz Series")

From Japan:
2. Atlantic Warner Pioneer LP: P 6130 A
3. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1072 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series; 2 bonus tracks)
4. Warner CD: WPCR-25044 (2005; "Atlantic Jazz 1500" Series; 24-bit audio; 2 bonus tracks)
5. Warner CD: WPCR-25174 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio; 2 bonus tracks)

From the United States:
6. Rhino CD: R2 7147 (1999; twofer)
7. Collectors' Choice: CCM-116-2 (2001; twofer)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Ralph Sharon (arr, p), Sam Most (f), Al Cohn, Lucky Thompson (ts), Joe Wilder (t), Joe Puma (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Eddie Costa (vib), Osie Johnson (d), Francisco "Chino" Pozo (bo), Ramon 'Mongo' Santamaria (cng), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This EP features the same artwork as its 12" LP counterpart.

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Bobby Jasper (f, ts), Al Epstein (bcl, ca), Mundell Lowe (g), George Duvivier, Percy Heath (b), Stan Free (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
A November 3, 1958 Billboard ad lists only the monaural version of this LP. Given that fact, it is likely that the stereo version was released later. According to Goldmine's Price Guide To Collectible Jazz Albums 1949-1969 , the stereo version was indeed issued two years later (1960).

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Australia / England:
1. Warner International / Special Markets CD: 8122 76594 2 4 (2004; "Atlantic Masters" Series)

From England:
2. London LP: LTZ-K.15151

From Japan:
3. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1062 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series)
4. Warner CD: WPCR-25020 (2005; "Atlantic Jazz 1500" Series; 24-bit audio)
4. Warner CD: WPCR-25170 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio)

From the United States:
6. Rhino CD: R2 7147 (1999; twofer)
7. Collectors' Choice: CCM-116-2 (2001; twofer)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate receiving the details about them. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most of the non-domestic items comes from sources which are not fully reliable.

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Al Epstein (bcl, ca), Mundell Lowe (g), George Duvivier (b), Stan Free (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The unknown catalogue number of this EP is presumably within the 600 range, and closer to that another Connor EP which was released this year (#615) . Atlantic's French version of the Chris Craft EP was numbered 212002 and features a head shot of a smiling Chris. (The photo is a publicity shot, b&w, in which Connot looks as if she had platinum-colored hair. The same shot was used as the cover of the Blue Moon CD 'S Wonderful.)

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Beckenstein, Sam Markowitz (as), Zoot Sims, Al Young (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Nick Travis (t), Barry Galbraith (g), Milt Hinton (b), Moe Wechsler (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Mono Versus Stereo Editions

This is a special entry which lists only one of the 12 tracks in the LP Chris Connor, in its stereo version. Atlantic released two different vocal versions of "Get Out Of Town," one in the mono album, the other in the stereo album. The mono LP was released in 1956. The stereo LP was released in 1958. For the other 11 tracks, see the main (1956) album entry.

Audiophile fans of this album generally prefer its mono version. This early stereo version suffers from poor placement of both the vocalist (in the left speaker only, and sounding distant) and the instruments. The brass, heard in the right speaker, sounds too close to the mikes.

B. Critical Reception

A November 10, 1958 review of the album states that "[t]his package, one of the singer's earlier Atlantic LP's, is both tasteful and effective in stereo. A strong seller on monaural, it should enjoy equal sales on stereo."

C. Other Configurations?

Another Billboard entry, this one from a week earlier, also lists a "new stereo tape" with catalogue number 3D-7. I would like to receive further confirmation that this item was not only promoted but also actually released. (And was it a cassette or maybe a reel-to-reel tape?)

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Everett Barksdale (g), Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
If the 1958 release date that I have found for this and the next two singles is accurate, then Bethlehem must have tried to capitalize on Connor's success at Atlantic by reissuing old LP cuts on new 45s.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Everett Barksdale, Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins, Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
A reissue of a LP originally released by Bethlehem in 1955.

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Sy Oliver Orchestra, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Everett Barksdale, Joe Puma (g), Sid Block, Milt Hinton, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins, Dave Martin, Ralph Sharon (p), Jimmy Crawford, Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The 3 LPs in this set were also sold as separate volumes; see next three entries.

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), The Sy Oliver Orchestra (acc), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Sid Block (b), Dave Martin (p), Jimmy Crawford (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Everett Barksdale (g), Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

The Claude Thornhill Orchestra (ldr), Gil Evans (arr), Claude Thornhill (con, p), Danny Polo, Jerry Therkeld (cl, as), Drew Moore, Mario Rollo (ts), Bill Bushey (bar), John Carisi, John Napton, Gene Roland (t), Leon Cox, Allan Langstaff (tb), Addison Collins, Arthur Sussman (frh), Barry Galbraith (g), Joe Shulman (b), William Exiner (d), Chris Connor, The Snowflakes (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Ralph Sharon (arr, con), Bobby Jasper (r, f), Morton Lewis, Steve Perlow, Jerry Sanfino, Warren "Champ" Webb (r), Marshal Royal, Phil Woods (as), Frank Foster, Seldon Powell (ts), Charles Fowlkes (bar), Donald Byrd, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Snooky Young (t), Wayne Andre, Eddie Bert, Willie Dennis, Al Grey, Dick Hixson, Frank Rehak (tb), Kenny Burrell, Barry Galbraith, Freddie Green (g), Eddie Jones, Don Payne (b), Stan Free (p), William Exiner, Sonny Payne, Ed Shaughnessy (d), Mac Ceppos, Ray Free, Harry Katzman, Leo Kruczek, Harold Melnikoff, George Ockner, Gene Orloff, Samuel Rand, Tosha Samaroff, Sylvan Shulman, Harry Urbont (vn), Dave Markovitz, Isadore Zirr (vl), Maurice Brown, Dave Sayer (vc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Mono Versus Stereo Versions

This LP actually contains 9 tracks. I have separately listed the album's first track, "These Foolish Things," because Atlantic released two different vocal versions of it, one in the mono album, the other in the stereo album.

B. Chris Connor's Favorite Album(s)

Asked in 1995 about the recording she was most proud of, Chris Connor replied as follows: "I especially like the one Ralph Sharon arranged for me and the Basie band, The Ballad Of The Sad Café. And I like the first [sic] album I did for Atlantic, called I Miss You So." (In other occasions, Connor singled out other albums as well. The one that she most frequently mentioned was her actual first Atlantic album, the self-titled Chris Connor. See also notes at the bottom of this page.)

C. Reissues

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From England:
1. Hallmark CD: 709482 (2010; awfully inferior sound quality)

From Japan:
2. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1067 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series)
3. Warner CD: WPCR-25167 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio; 2 bonus tracks)

From the United States:
4. Collectables CD: COL 6277 (1999; twofer)
5. Collectables CD: COL 0403 (2006; 4-CD box)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Ralph Sharon (arr, con), Bobby Jasper (f), Wayne Andre, Willie Dennis, Dick Hixson, Frank Rehak (tb), Barry Galbraith (g), Don Payne (b), Stan Free (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Ray Free, Harry Katzman, Harold Melnikoff, George Ockner, Gene Orloff, Samuel Rand, Sylvan Shulman, Harry Urbont (vn), Dave Markovitz, Isadore Zirr (vl), Maurice Brown, Dave Sayer (vc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This entry and the one for SD 1307 are actually continuations of the main entry for Chris Connor Sings Ballads Of The Sad Café. Because Atlantic released two different takes of "These Foolish Things," one in this mono album and the other in the stereo album, I have created separate entries for that master. Visually, the cover of the mono and stereo LPs also evince a couple of differences. Besides the inclusion or exclusion of the word "stereo," the background coloring of the mono LP is a light gray, wheareas the stereo LP uses a dark brown.

In my search of possible additional alternate takes, I have closely listened to and compared the other tracks in the mono and stereo editions of Chris Connor Sings Ballads Of The Sad Café. The same search has led me to study other relevant issues -- namely, the 1991 Japanese CD version (AMCY 1067) of this album, and a 1999 domestic CD edition on the Collectables label. I have not found anything but divergences of little consequence, probably stemming from the variety of mastering styles used. (My thanks to Donald Martin, for supplying some of the issues that were needed for this listening task.)

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Ralph Sharon (arr, con), Bobby Jasper (f), Wayne Andre, Willie Dennis, Dick Hixson, Frank Rehak (tb), Barry Galbraith (g), Don Payne (b), Stan Free (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Ray Free, Harry Katzman, Harold Melnikoff, George Ockner, Gene Orloff, Samuel Rand, Sylvan Shulman, Harry Urbont (vn), Dave Markovitz, Isadore Zirr (vl), Maurice Brown, Dave Sayer (vc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
See note under main entry for tihs album (1307/SD1307).

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Richard Wess (arr, con), George Berg (r, f, as), Phil Bodner (r, f, ts, ca), Al Klink, Romeo Penque, Jerry Sanfino (r), Hymie Schertzer (as), Bernie Glow, Jimmy Nottingham, Bernie Privin, Ernie Royal, Doc Severinsen (t), Bob Alexander, Robert "Bob" Ascher, Mort Bullman, Frank Rehak, Chauncey Welsch (tb), Fred Klein (ca), Jim Buffington (frh), Mundell Lowe (g), Milt Hinton (b), Hank Jones (p), Sol Gubin (vib, d, bel), Osie Johnson, Don Lamond (d), Bobby Rosengarden (bo), Phil Kraus (per), Tony Bambino, Linda Barnett, Max Cahn, Mac Ceppos, Arnold Eidus, Felix Giglio, Harry Katzman, Leo Kruczek, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin, David Montagu, Gene Orloff (vn), Henry Pakaln, Isadore Zirr (vl), Maurice Brown, Sidney Edwards (vc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The back cover of this original LP includes a photo of Connor, with conductor Richard Wess, at one of the recording sessions.

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Japan:
1. Atlantic Warner Pioneer LP: P-6155A (1976)
2. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1068 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series)
3. Warner CD: WPCR-25042 (2005; "Atlantic Jazz 1500" Series; 24-bit audio)
4. Warner CD: WPCR-25166 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio)

From the United States:
5. Collectables CD: COL 6814 (2001; twofer)
6. Collectables CD: COL 0403 (2006; 4CD box)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Richard Wess (arr, con), George Berg, Phil Bodner, Al Klink, Romeo Penque, Jerry Sanfino (r), Hymie Schertzer (as), Bernie Glow, Jimmy Nottingham, Bernie Privin, Ernie Royal, Doc Severinsen (t), Bob Alexander, Robert "Bob" Ascher, Mort Bullman, Frank Rehak, Chauncey Welsch (tb), Mundell Lowe (g), Milt Hinton (b), Hank Jones (p), Sol Gubin, Don Lamond (d), Bobby Rosengarden (bo), Phil Kraus (per), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This "special promotional EP for dj use only" features the same artwork as its 12" LP counterpart.

Chris Connor (ldr), Kenny Burrell (g), Eddie de Haas (b), Bill Rubenstein (p), Lex Humpries (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
There are actually 14 tracks in this issue. The very first track has not been entered in the present discography because it is a spoken introduction, given by the club's master of ceremonies.

In England, this LP was issued by London Records with catalogue number LTZK 15195.

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From England:
1. London LP: LTZK 15195 ("Jazz Series")

From Japan:
2. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1063 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series)
3. Warner CD: WPCR-25042 (2005; "Atlantic Jazz 1500" Series; 24-bit audio)
4. Warner CD: WPCR 25169 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio)

From the United States:
5. Collectables CD: COL 6887 (2000; twofer)
6. Collectables CD: COL 0403 (2006; 4-CD box)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Kenny Burrell (g), Eddie de Haas (b), Bill Rubenstein (p), Lex Humpries (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
The only copy of the EP Chris In Person that I have ever seen is a promo. More specifically, it identifies itself as being "a special promotional EP for D. J. use only" and as containing "excerpts from the new LP that launches Atlantic's April Shower of Music by Chris Connor." I am not certain that this promotional item came in a cardboard cover -- although its commercial version must have. It might have come instead just in its a paper sleeve. The sleeve was filled with the text that would normally be found in a back cover, such as tracks and brief liner notes. Also included in the sleeve: a relatively small reproduction of the same photo that graces the cover of the 12" LP version.

Chris Connor (ldr), Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller (pdr), Joe Wilder (t), George Duvivier (b), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Ronnie Ball (arr, con, p), Jimmy Jones (arr, p), Harry Lookofsky (ccm, vn), Jimmy Jones Orchestra (acc), Phil Bodner (r), Phil Woods (as), Bert Collins, Danny Stiles (t), Clark Terry (t, fh), Willie Dennis (tb), Barry Galbraith (g), George Duvivier, Milt Hinton (b), Unknown (str), Hank Jones (p), Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy, Teddy Sommer (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Critical Reception

Reviewed by John S. Wilson in the April 23, 1961 issue of New York Times: "Chris Connor is known primarily as a singer, and, as such, has developed a strong following, although her harsh agonized twisting of tunes has mystified and dismayed many listeners. Why she chooses to do this is not clarified by Portrait Of Chris, which is made up for the most part of straight interpretations of show tunes in a balladic vein. There are none of her wonted mannerisms. Instead we find a warm-voiced, moving singer with relaxed yet firmly controlled delivery, a vocalist who shows perception and flexibiity. She is, it would seem, an extremely effective non-jazz singer and a far more skilled artist than her 'jazz' efforts have suggested."

B. Reissues

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Japan:
1. Atlantic Warner Pioneer LP: P-7709
2. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1073 ("Ladies Sing Jazz" Series)
3. Warner CD: WPCR-25175 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio)

From the United States:
4. Collectors' Choice CD: CCM-236-2 (2001)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr), Stan Free, Ralph Sharon (arr, p), Eddie Wasserman (bcl, ts), Al Cohn (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Joe Newman, Doc Severinsen (t), Eddie Bert, James "Jimmy" Cleveland, Warren Covington, Jim Thompson (tb), Barry Galbraith, Mundell Lowe (g), Milt Hinton, Wendell Marshall, Oscar Pettiford (b), Hank Jones (p), Eddie Costa, Milt Jackson (vib), Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy (d), John Rodrigues (bo), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Uneleased Volumes?

Reissue of the 1957 album of the same title, divided into this first volume and a second one. Although both volumes are listed in Atlantic's official files, there is reason to question their actual existence. So far, I have not seen any copies, nor do I know of anyone else who has.

B. Stereophonic Sound?

Notice also that, unlike the original 1957 issue, these volumes are listed as having come out in stereophonic. I do not know if the original sessions were recorded in both mono and stereo. (By stereo, Atlantic could have meant fake stereo.)

C. MP3 Editions

In 2009, both volumes were (re?)issued in MP3 format by the British budget label Hallmark. If interested in those versions, do bear in mind that, from an aural standpoint, many of Hallmark's releases leave a lot to be desired. This problem has been especially notorious in CDs that the label released during the first decade of the twenty-first century, but there is no reason to expect that their MP3 items would sound any better.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr), Stan Free (arr, p), Ralph Sharon (arr, p, cel), Herbie Mann, Sam Most (f), Peanuts Hucko (cl), Eddie Wasserman (bcl, ts), Al Cohn (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Joe Newman, Doc Severinsen (t), Eddie Bert, James "Jimmy" Cleveland, Warren Covington, Jim Thompson (tb), Barry Galbraith, Mundell Lowe, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Wendell Marshall, Oscar Pettiford (b), Hank Jones (p), Eddie Costa, Milt Jackson (vib), Ronnie Free, Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy (d), John Rodrigues (bo), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Reissue of the 1957 album of the same title, divided into two volumes. See additional comments under the note for volume 1.

Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Judging from the fact that I have come across internet listings for a Manhattan Melodies album with varying catalogue numbers, there could actually be two or three such issues featuring Chris Connor ( #121, #262, and #321), although I am aware of this one only. Of course, it is also possible that some of the online listings in question are wrong.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), Everett Barksdale, Joe Cinderella (g), Vinnie Burke, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Don Burns (pac), Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Released to capitalize on the success of Nina Simone, who had given the label one album with a hit number ("My Baby Just Cares For Me") but had then moved on to another label, this LP contains the tracks which remained unissued from Simone's sessions, plus oft-reissued selections by Connor and McRae.

In some internet sites, the release year of Nina Simone And Friends is given as 1959, whereas others give it as 1960. If we are to trust the Bethlehem catalogue number sequence, 1960 is the likelier date. (However, it could be that Bethlehem released it in advance of other LPs numbered in the high 6030s, which bear 1960 release dates.)

Chris Connor, Maynard Ferguson (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Don Sebesky (arr), Joe Farrell (f, ss, ts), Lanny Morgan (f, as), Willie Maiden (cl, ts), Frank Hittner (bcl, bar), Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson, Augustino 'Chet' Ferretti, Rick Kiefer (t), Maynard Ferguson (t, tb, frh), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Charlie Sanders (b), Jaki Byard (p), Rufus Jones (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Al Cohn (arr, con), Gene Quill (cl, as), Phil Woods (as), Oliver Nelson (ts), Sol Schlinger (bar), Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry, Nick Travis (t), James "Jimmy" Cleveland (tb), Milt Hinton, Ben Tucker (b), Ronnie Ball (p), Dave Bailey, Gus Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor, Maynard Ferguson (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Willie Maiden (arr, cl, ts), Don Sebesky (arr), Joe Farrell (f, ss, ts), Lanny Morgan (f, as), Frank Hittner (bcl, bar), Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson, Augustino 'Chet' Ferretti, Rick Kiefer (t), Maynard Ferguson (t, tb, frh), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Charlie Sanders (b), Jaki Byard (p), Rufus Jones (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From England:
1. London LP: LTZ-K 15229 ("Jazz Series")
2. London LP: SAH K 6190

From Japan:
3. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1074 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series)
4. Warner ?CD: P-7728
5. Warner CD: WPCR 25168 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio)

From the United States:
6. Atlantic CS/LP: 7 90143 4/1 (1984; "Jazzlore Series" #21; different artwork)
7. Collectors' Choice CD: CCM 319-2 (2002)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor, Maynard Ferguson (ldr), Joe Farrell (f, ss, ts), Lanny Morgan (f, as), Willie Maiden (cl, ts), Frank Hittner (bcl, bar), Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson, Augustino 'Chet' Ferretti (t), Maynard Ferguson (t, tb, frh), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), John Neves (b), Jaki Byard (p), Rufus Jones (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Series

The liner notes of this LP state that "[t]his dynamic high fidelity recording is another in Roulette Records' special jazz series, The Birdland Series." The series title is not given in the front or back covers.

B. "Chris Connors," The British One

In England, this Roulette album was released by Columbia, in both mono (#33SX.1377) and stereo (#SCX 3415). That British edition spells the singer's name as "Chris Connors." It does so at the top of the front cover only. (Elsewhere in the cover, the last name is spelled in its more common variation, without the s.)

C. Reissues

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From England:
1. Columbia LP: 33SX 1377 (mono)
2. Columbia LP: SCX 3415 (stereo)

From Spain:
3. Fresh Sound LP: RLP-215
4. Fresh Sound CD: FSR-CD 30 (1989)

From the United States:
5. Roulette Jazz/ Blue Note CD: 7243 8 37201 2 5 (1996)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor, Maynard Ferguson (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Willie Maiden (arr, cl, ts), Don Sebesky (arr), Joe Farrell (f, ss, ts), Lanny Morgan (f, as), Frank Hittner (bcl, bar), Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson, Augustino 'Chet' Ferretti, Rick Kiefer (t), Maynard Ferguson (t, tb, frh), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Charlie Sanders (b), Jaki Byard (p), Rufus Jones (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Cinderella, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Don Burns (pac), Osie Johnson, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Al Cohn (arr, con), Oliver Nelson (cl, ts), Gene Quill, Phil Woods (cl, as), Sol Schlinger (bcl, bar), Irwin 'Marky' Markowitz, Joe Newman, Clark Terry (t), James "Jimmy" Cleveland (tb), George Duvivier, Ben Tucker (b), Ronnie Ball (p), Dave Bailey, Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Japan:
1. Atlantic CD: AMCY-1077 (1991; "Ladies Sing Jazz" Series; 4 bonus tracks)
2. Warner CD: WPCR 25171 (2007; "Atlantic 60th Anniversary" Series; miniature LP edition; 24-bit audio; 4 bonus tracks)

From the United States:
3. Collectables CD: COL 6521 (2004)
4. Collectables CD: COL 0403 (2006; 4CD box)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Al Cohn (arr, con), Gene Quill (cl, as), Phil Woods (as), Oliver Nelson (ts), Sol Schlinger (bar), Ernie Royal, Nick Travis (t), James "Jimmy" Cleveland (tb), Milt Hinton (b), Ronnie Ball (p), Gus Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Background

This album project was triggered by the smash success of the contemporaneous Richard Rodgers Broadway show No Strings. In addition to Chris Connor, the other performers that Atlantic recruited from its roster for this project were LaVern Baker ("You Don't Tell Me," "Eager Beaver," "Loads Of Love"), Herbie Mann ("La La La"), and Bobby Short ("Be My Host," "The Man Who Has Everything," "An Orthodox Fool," "Love Makes The World Go"). There are no duets: all artists do either solo vocals or, in the case of Herbie Mann, an instrumental with a basic litany of "la la la las."

B. Reissues

I am aware of only one reissue of this LP: a CD on the American licensing label Collectables (catalogue number COL 6714, released in 2004). I would appreciate receiving details about any foreign LP or CD versions of this album.

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Sy Oliver Orchestra, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, J. J. Johnson, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Everett Barksdale, Joe Cinderella, Joe Puma (g), Sid Block, Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins, Dave Martin, Ralph Sharon (p), Don Burns (pac), Jimmy Crawford, Osie Johnson, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v), Bob Garrity (spk)

NOTES:
British reissue of the 1957 Bethlehem album The Rich Sound Of Chris Connor (aka Chris). Also issued in Japan as Ember LP PAP-Ember EMB-3341.

Chris Connor (ldr), Mundell Lowe (g), Richard Davis (b), Ronnie Ball (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Mundell Lowe (g), Richard Davis (b), Ronnie Ball (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Brazil:
1. Elenco LP: MEV 01 (1964)

From Japan:
2. Roulette LP: YW-7515 [or YW-7817?]
3. Columbia ?LP: SL 5111
4. Victor LP: RF 7016 (cover different from the original)
5. Nippon Columbia CD: 30CY 1433 (1987)
6. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-5332 (1991; "We Love Jazz" Series)
7. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-6880 (2007)
8. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-9499 (2008; 24-bit mastering)
9. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ 50017 (2010)

From Spain:
10. Fresh Sound LP: FSR-705
11. Blue Moon CD: BMCD 3074 (1998; released under the title 'S Wonderful; 2 bonus tracks)

From the United States:
12. EMI CD: 0946-3-71346-2-7 (2006)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ralph Burns, Al Cohn, Ray Ellis, Richard Wess (arr, con), Ralph Sharon (arr, con, p), Ralph Burns Orchestra, The Ray Ellis Orchestra (acc), George Berg, Phil Bodner, Al Klink, Romeo Penque, Jerry Sanfino (r), Bobby Jasper (f), Oliver Nelson (cl, ts), Gene Quill, Phil Woods (cl, as), Sol Schlinger (bcl, bar), Marshal Royal (as), Frank Foster, Seldon Powell (ts), Charles Fowlkes (bar), Harry "Sweets" Edison, Bernie Glow, Joe Newman, Jimmy Nottingham, Bernie Privin, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry, Snooky Young (t), Bob Alexander, Wayne Andre, Eddie Bert, Mort Bullman, James "Jimmy" Cleveland, Willie Dennis, Al Grey, Dick Hixson, Frank Rehak, Chauncey Welsch (tb), Barry Galbraith, Freddie Green, Mundell Lowe (g), George Duvivier, Milt Hinton, Eddie Jones, Don Payne, Oscar Pettiford, Ben Tucker (b), Ronnie Ball, Stan Free, Hank Jones, John Lewis (p), Dave Bailey, Sol Gubin, Osie Johnson, Connie Kay, Don Lamond, Sonny Payne, Ed Shaughnessy (d), Bobby Rosengarden (bo), Phil Kraus (per), Ray Free, Harry Katzman, Harold Melnikoff, George Ockner, Gene Orloff, Samuel Rand, Sylvan Shulman, Harry Urbont (vn), Dave Markovitz, Isadore Zirr (vl), Maurice Brown, Dave Sayer (vc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Around 1963 (possibly after Connor had already left the label, or as she was about to), Atlantic prepared this album for issue. Plans to release the album in the United States were scrapped. However, an album bearing the same title was released by Victor Atlantic in Japan, with catalogue number SMJ 7070 (release year unknown). It contains the same 12 tracks that were said to be scheduled for inclusion in the American album, plus two bonus tracks.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Bill Russo (arr), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Harry DeAlmeida (tam), Chris Connor, The Stan Kenton Orchestra (v)

NOTES:
This album was produced for British Capitol. It was later issued in the United States, on Kenton's Creative World label (# CW ST-1028).

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Everett Barksdale (g), Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Everett Barksdale (g), Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
If the release date found in my sources is correct, this is a very late Bethlehem 45 item. (It had been about 8 years since Connor had left the label.) Bethlehem had previously issued these songs on LP but not on singles. (The earlier 45 that contains a different version of "All About Ronnie" is on Capitol Records.)

Chris Connor (ldr), Alan Douglas (pdr), Michel Colombier Orchestra (acc), Chris Connor (v), Les Double Six (bkv)

NOTES:

A. Release And Distribution

FM LP #312 received a very limited commercial release. The record company folded a short time after the album had been pressed. Extant copies are rare. On those which I have seen, the stickers and stamps make it evident that they are promo items, sent out mostly to radio disc jockeys, and also to cutout bins at music department stores.

There must have been plans to promote the album in the French market. The brief liner notes in the album's back cover are written in English and replicated in French.

B. Reissues

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Japan:
1. Columbia LP: YW 7551 RO
2. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-5359 (1990; "We Love Jazz" Series)
3. EMI Toshiba CD: TOCJ-50065 (2010)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Mundell Lowe (g), Richard Davis (b), Ronnie Ball (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Reissue of the 1963 FM live album At The Village Gate, Early Show & Late Show.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler (pdr), Ray Ellis (arr), Stan Free (arr, p), Ralph Sharon (arr, p, cel), Herbie Mann, Sam Most (f), Peanuts Hucko (cl), Eddie Wasserman (bcl, ts), Al Cohn (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Doc Severinsen (t), Eddie Bert, James "Jimmy" Cleveland, Warren Covington, Jim Thompson (tb), Barry Galbraith, Mundell Lowe, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Wendell Marshall, Oscar Pettiford (b), Hank Jones (p), Milt Jackson (vib), Ronnie Free, Osie Johnson, Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Ken Greenglass, At GLG Productions (pdr), Billy Byers (arr), Pat Williams (arr, con), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Japan:
1. Arobe LP: IPP 80805
2. King LP: SH221 (under the different title Cool Chris)
{?3.} Columbia Roulette LP: YS 8534 (under the title Singin' In N.Y.; unclear to me whether this LP is a reissue of the album under discussion or a reissue of Connor's other album for ABC, entitled Now!)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

As of early 2011, this album has yet to be isssued on CD. In late 2010, details were being worked out for its future release on a Canadian label.

Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Most details unknown to me. I would appreciate receiving information about this album's contents.

Chris Connor (ldr), Peter De Angelis, Bob Thiele (pdr), Don Sebesky (pdr, arr, con), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Peter De Angelis, Bob Thiele (pdr), Don Sebesky (pdr, arr, con), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this LP.

From Japan:
1. Columbia LP: YW 8508 AB
2. Universal CD: UCCC-9045 (2002; miniature LP edition; #4 in a series of 20 CD releases)
{3.} Columbia Roulette LP: YS 8534 (under the title Singin' In N.Y.; unclear to me whether this LP is a reissue of the album under discussion or a reissue of Connor's other album for ABC, entitled Chris Connor Sings Gentle Bossa Nova)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), George Otsuka Trio (acc), Shungo Sawada (g), Takashi Mizuhashi (b), Hideo Ichikawa (p), George Otsuka (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. Original Distribution And Reissues

This album was produced in Japan and meant the Japanese record market only. It was reissued on CD by Victor in Japan (2006).

B. A Live Date, With Soldiers In Tow?

According to an uncorroborated report, this album's numbers were recorded in front of a crowd of soldiers on leave from duty in Vietnam. If the point being made is that we are listening to a taped live date, the report does not sound particularly credible to me. For one thing, I hear no indications that the date was taking place "live" or outside of the studio. (Of course, the report could just mean that the soldiers were invited to a studio session, even if such a setup strikes me as a bit out of the norm.) Moreover, the recording information at my reach indicates that the numbers were recorded over two days. Had Connor and company "waxed" these tracks in front of an audience, I would have expected the recording information to list them under one day, not two. (Of course, my discographical source could be wrong. Or, alternatively, and despite my expectations, the numbers could indeed stem from two dates, played for the soldiers.)

Perhaps the album's notes, which are in Japanese and thus unintelligible to me, shed light on the subject. If so, I would be grateful for clarification from any fellow fans who read Japanese.

Whichever the circumstances at play, this album is not Connor's finest hour.

Chris Connor (ldr), George Otsuka Trio (acc), Shungo Sawada (g), Takashi Mizuhashi (b), Hideo Ichikawa (p), George Otsuka (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This 45 comes with picture sleeve -- a close profile shot of Chris, singing. The release date information is tentative.

Chris Connor (ldr), Wade Alexander, Rod McKuen (pdr), Patrick Rebillot (arr), Alyn Ainesworth (s-a), George Barnes (g), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Connor's only original album from the first half of the 1970s. (Her next album would be released in 1977.) Liner notes by Rex Reed. Reissued on Stanyan's Bainbridge subsidiary in 1982 (LP). As of early 2011, yet to be issued on CD.

Chris Connor (ldr), Wade Alexander, Rod McKuen (pdr), Patrick Rebillot (arr), Alyn Ainesworth (s-a), George Barnes (g), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. An Edited Version Of Sketches

The LP Guest Star: Chris Connor contains four shows made by Chris Connor for the U.S. Savings Bond Division. All Connor songs heard in these four shows are edited versions of the masters from her 1971 Stanyan album Sketches.

B. Format Of The Shows

The show's host was Mike Douglas, and there was no studio orchestra. Each program was five minutes long, and began with Douglas singing the line "this is the country land that I love." Only one Connor song was heard per show. A partial exception was the first show: it featured a few, additional bars from a second song, "We've Only Just Begun."

C. Spoken Comments

The patter called for Connor to promote savings bonds in every episode, and allowed for one or two quick personal comments from her. In the first show, she credits Rod McKuen for providing her with her most relaxed session to date. In another show, she voices her enthusiasm for Laura Nyro's composition of "Buy And Sell." In the final show, Connor announces that she will soon be on a long tour, and professes her intention to keep "working till money falls from trees."

D. Release Date

The album's catalogue number (11-71) is probably also an indication of the month and year in which this "Star of the Month" was heard over participating radio stations.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Bill Russo (arr), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Harry DeAlmeida (tam), Chris Connor, The Stan Kenton Orchestra (v)

NOTES:
Reissue of the Capitol album that bears the same title.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Lee Gillette (pdr), Bill Russo (arr, tb), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Maynard Ferguson, Ruben McFall, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Harry DeAlmeida (tam), Chris Connor, The Stan Kenton Orchestra (v)

NOTES:
Besides Chris Connor, Kenton's other women are June Christy, Anita O'Day, Ann Richards, Jean Turner, and Jerri Winters. The album's twelve tracks are evenly divided among those six vocalists.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Bill Russo (arr), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Henry "Hank" Levy (bar), Conte Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Glen Roberts (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Chris Connor (v)

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Lee Gillette (pdr), Bill Russo (arr, tb), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Maynard Ferguson, Ruben McFall (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Harry DeAlmeida (tam), Chris Connor (v), The Stan Kenton Orchestra (bkv)

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Lee Gillette (pdr), Bill Russo (arr, tb), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Maynard Ferguson, Ruben McFall (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Chris Connor (v)

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Johnny Richards (arr), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Henry "Hank" Levy (bar), Conte Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino, Bill Russo (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Please notice that, in the case of all performances dated March 27 or April 23, those dates refer to the first day of Kenton's 1953 concert engagements at the Blue Note and Birdland Clubs, not to the exact day on which the given performance took place. For the specific days, consult the notes under the sessions dated May 27 - April 9, 1953 and April 23 - May 6, 1953 in this page.

The Claude Thornhill Orchestra (ldr), Gil Evans (arr), Claude Thornhill (arr, con, p), Danny Polo, Jerry Therkeld (cl, as), Drew Moore, Mario Rollo (ts), Bill Bushey (bar), John Carisi, John Napton, Gene Roland (t), Leon Cox, Allan Langstaff (tb), Addison Collins, Arthur Sussman (frh), Barry Galbraith (g), Joe Shulman (b), William Exiner (d), Chris Connor, The Snowflakes (v)

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Lee Gillette (pdr), Bill Russo (arr, tb), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Maynard Ferguson, Ruben McFall, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Harry DeAlmeida (tam), Chris Connor, The Stan Kenton Orchestra (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Sy Oliver (pdr, arr, con), The Sy Oliver Orchestra (acc), Sid Cooper, Milt Yaner (as), Boomie Richman, Sam Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Jim Bright, Jimmy Nottingham, Red Solomon (t), Vernon "Vern" Friley, Frank Saracco, Ward Silloway, Kai Winding (tb), Sid Block (b), Dave Martin (p), Jimmy Crawford (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Japanese LP MP 2378 contains Carmen McRae's entire output for Bethlehem Records on its A side. Side B features, on the other hand, Connor's entire December 17-18, 1953 session. For its front cover, Polydor re-used the artwork that graces Carmen's original Bethlehem LP, changing only the catalogue number and adding the words "vs Chris Connor" to the title. My thanks to Brian Yordnoff for directing me to a site that showed this cover, and to Keizo Takada for identifying the LP tracks by Connor.

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller (pdr), Ralph Sharon (arr, con), Bobby Jasper (f), Joe Wilder (t), Wayne Andre, Willie Dennis, Dick Hixson, Frank Rehak (tb), Barry Galbraith (g), George Duvivier, Don Payne (b), Stan Free (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Ray Free, Harry Katzman, Harold Melnikoff, George Ockner, Gene Orloff, Samuel Rand, Sylvan Shulman, Harry Urbont (vn), Dave Markovitz, Isadore Zirr (vl), Maurice Brown, Dave Sayer (vc), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:

A. A Compilation Of Singles (13 Tracks From Singles Sessions + 1 From An Album Session)
B. The Prequel

This Japanese release is one of two albums that compile Connor's pop singles for Atlantic Records. The other album is the US-released compilation I Miss You So, originally released in 1958. Between those two albums, each of Connor's 9 singles sessions for Atlantic is represented by two or more tracks.

Collectors might be happy to know that there is no duplication between the LPs Misty and I Miss You So. Matters are a bit different, however, if we consider digital versions. The Japanese CD edition of I Miss You So contains four bonus tracks, of which the following three can also be found in the LP Misty: "Under Paris Skies, "Moon Ride," and "Invitation." (As for a CD of Misty, there is none, as far as I know. The album is available on vinyl only.)

Like I Miss You So, all but one of the tracks in Misty are from singles sessions. The exception is "(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over," which was recorded during the Chris Connor Sings Ballads Of The Sad Café but excluded from that album. The other 13 tracks were culled from the following singles sessions:

4/29/58 (includes all four masters from this session )
7/31/58 (includes two of this session's four masters; of the other two, one was issued in the Japanese CD The Best Of Chris Connor, whereas the other one was never issued)
9/6/59 (includes two of this session's 4 masters; of the other two, one was issued in the Japanese CD The Best Of Chris Connor, whereas the other one was never issued)
12/22/59 (includes all three masters from this session )
1/28/60 (includes two of this session's four masters; of the other two, one appeared as a bonus track in the 1991 Japanese CD edition of I Miss You So, whereas the other one has been issued on 45 only)

C. Numbers Issued On 45 Versus Previously Unissued Numbers

Five of the 14 tracks in Misty had never beein issued before:

I Heard A Bluebird (recorded on 1/28/1960)
To Each His Own (recorded on 12/22/1959)
Fortune Cookies (recorded on 1/28/1960)
Long Hot Summer (recorded on 4/29/1958)
(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over (recorded on 3/10/1959)

As for the other 9 tracks, they had been issued in the following singles:

Atlantic #1188: Moon Ride / Under Paris Skies
Atlantic #1198: I Won't Cry Anymore / [the other side," Hallelujah, I Love Him So" was not included in Misty]
Atlantic #2017: Flying Home / Circus
Atlantic #2037: Señor Blues / Misty
Atlantic #2073: I Sold My Heart To The Junkman / Invitation

D. Misspelled Song Title

The album's track listing misspells the name of the song "Fortune Cookies," instead calling it "Fortune Cockies."

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Everett Barksdale, Joe Cinderella, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins, Ralph Sharon (p), Don Burns (pac), Osie Johnson, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v), Bob Garrity (spk)

NOTES:
Compiles tracks from Connor's Bethlehem years.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

Unknown (b, d), Stan Freeman (p), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Taped from a televised performance; see details in Live, Television And Radio page, under session dated May 27, 1957.

Unknown (b, d), Stan Freeman (p), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This album recycles the same tracks found in Calliope 3002 (1976). Taped from a televised performance; see details in Live, Television And Radio page, under session dated May 27, 1957.

Chris Connor (ldr), Teo Macero (pdr), George Opalinsky (f, ts), Lee Konitz (as), Richard Davis, Michael Moore (b), Mike Abene, Bob Kaye (p), Jimmy Madison, Edward Soph, Grady Tate (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Original album, released in Japan only. To my knowledge, yet to be issued on CD (as of 2011).

Chris Connor (ldr), Teo Macero (pdr), George Opalinsky (f, ts), Lee Konitz (as), Richard Davis, Michael Moore (b), Mike Abene, Bob Kaye (p), Jimmy Madison, Edward Soph, Grady Tate (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
I have very little data about this LP. It may have been a special issue, meant for radio airplay only.

Chris Connor (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Ronnie Ball (arr, con, p), Phil Woods (as), Bert Collins, Danny Stiles (t), Willie Dennis (tb), Kenny Burrell (g), Eddie de Haas, George Duvivier (b), Bill Rubenstein (p), Lex Humpries, Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (ldr), Gus P. Statiras (pdr), Jerry Dodgion (f, as), Michael Moore (b), Mike Abene (p), Ronnie Bedford (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of this original LP/CS.

From Japan:
1. Teichiku LP: ULS 1671 G
2. PROGRESSIVE CD: KUK 82G (under title Chris' Corner)
3. AUDIOPHILE CD: 208 (1995)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Ran Blake (ldr), Jerome Harris (g), Rufus Reid (b), Ran Blake (p), Chris Connor (v), Richard Rodney Bennett (ac)

NOTES:
Chris Connor appeared as a guest in this album by avant-garde pianist and academician Ran Blake, who is a big fan of her singing.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Joe Puma (g), Milt Hinton (b), Ralph Sharon (p), Osie Johnson (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
A compilation of tracks from Connor's Bethlehem years. Notice that all 10 tracks are from her April 1955 sessions. Only 3 tracks from those dates were left out ("Don't Wait Up For Me," "A Good Man Is A Seldom Thing," and "Fly Me To The Moon").

Chris Connor, Maynard Ferguson (ldr), Joe Farrell (f, ss, ts), Lanny Morgan (f, as), Willie Maiden (cl, ts), Frank Hittner (bcl, bar), Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson, Augustino 'Chet' Ferretti (t), Maynard Ferguson (t, tb, frh), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Mundell Lowe (g), Richard Davis, John Neves (b), Ronnie Ball, Jaki Byard (p), Rufus Jones, Ed Shaughnessy (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Side A of this anthology culls tracks from Chris Connor's At The Village Gate album, originally on FM Records. The tracks on side B are from her Roulette album with Maynard Ferguson, Two's Company.

Chris Connor (ldr), Ronne McClure (b), Harold Danko (p), Edward Soph (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This album was prepared for exclusive release in the Japanese market.

At the December 12, 1978 session, LOBster resorted to the then-fashionable direct-to-disc process. "Direct-to-disc" meant that all the songs intended for the LP's side A were recorded in a continued, uninterrupted string (as if they all were part of one long take, with no more than a brief pause in-between tracks). After finishing with side A, Connor and the musicians followed the same procedure for the flip side of the LP. For their part, the engineers recorded both sides directly to a master lacquer -- not to magnetic tape, as had been the norm for decades.

By recording directly to a master disc, engineers were bypassing a few steps of what had become their regular process. Obviously, they no longer had to transfer from magnetic tape to the stamper. Also, they could not splice or apply any corrective tecniques to the masters: thre numbers are heard exactly as they were performed, any errors included. (Of course, we should presume that, if any major mistake was made, the proceedings were stopped. In such a case, the personnel would have to start over, taking it again from the very first song of side A or side B.)

Audiophile listeners approved of this process because, from their perspective, the resulting product was "purer." In comparison with the rest of available commercial albums, direct-to-disc LPs were far less removed from what had been actually recorded at the studio session. Also part of the allure was the promise of limited LP quantities. (Quantities were limited by necessity: unlike magnetic tape, master lacquers could be re-used only a few times, because their sound quality noticeably degenerates with each successive use. Eventually, the master would thus be rendered unusable, leaving the company with no other option but to altogether stop pressing from it. At that point (and until the advent of the CD), they would have to permanently terminate pressing or, alternatively -- but in violation of what was promised to customers -- they would have to press from the previously issued commercial vinyl.)

Alone Together has been digitally reissued twice: in 1993 (TDK Records) and in 2004 (Absord Records). Both CD editions include bonus tracks by Anita O'Day, also originally recorded for LOBster.

Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee, The Claude Thornhill Orchestra (ldr), Mel Powell (arr, p), The Benny Goodman Orchestra, The Les Paul Trio (acc), Dave Figg, Cliff Hoff (cl, ts), Med Flory, Gene Quill (cl, as), Benny Goodman (cl), Dick Zabach (cl, bar), Clint Neagley, Hymie Schertzer (as), Leonard Sims, Jon Walton (ts), Robert Poland (bar), Benny Baker, Rusty Dedrick, Tony Faso, Jimmy Maxwell, Sonny Rich, Lawrence Stearns, aka Alfred Sculco, Nick Travis (t), Charlie Castaldo, Milt Gold, Obie Massingill, Lou McGarity (tb), Al Antonucci (frh), Dave Barbour, Cal Gooden (g), Les Paul (elg), Bill Crow, Cliff Hill, Clint Nordquist (b), Milt Raskin, Claude Thornhill (p), Howard "Hud" Davies, Winston Welch (d), Chris Connor, Peggy Lee (v)

NOTES:
Please notice that this entry contains performances by two of my discographical subjects. Of the six above-listed titles, "Why Don't You Do Right?" and "I Get The Blues When It Rains" are sung by Peggy Lee, whereas the other four are Chris Connor interpretations.

The 1979 release date applies to the LP only, which was issued by Tokuma Industries on its Dan Records imprint. As indicated next to the catalogue numbers, the CD version (Tkcf 77076) was issued in 2001. The cover is the same for both versions.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Pete Rugolo (arr), Bill Russo (arr, tb), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Henry "Hank" Levy (bar), Conte Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Ernie Royal, Don Smith (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Please notice that, in the case of all performances dated March 27 or April 23, those dates refer to the first day of Kenton's 1953 concert engagements at the Blue Note and Birdland Clubs, not to the exact day on which the given performance took place. For the specific days, consult the notes under the sessions dated May 27 - April 9, 1953 and April 23 - May 6, 1953 in this page.

Chris Connor (ldr), Wade Alexander, Rod McKuen (pdr), Patrick Rebillot (arr), Alyn Ainesworth (s-a), George Barnes (g), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Reissue of Connor's original 1971 album on Stanyan Records.

Chris Connor (ldr), Tim Owens (pdr), Steve LaSpina (b), Fred Hersch (p), Tony Tedesco (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
"This performance of Chris Connor and her trio," states the Applause LP, "was first broadcast on National Public Radio's Peabody award-winning series Jazz Alive! in October of 1981 and is hereby included for your enjoyment by mutual agreement between NPR and Ms. Connor. We wish to thank the Jazz Alive! staff for their assistance on the recording.

At this point in time, Connor had not released an original album in the United States since the 1971 LP Sketches, made for Stanyan Records. But in 1983 she came back wth not one but two domestic albums: Live and, on Stash Records, Love Being Here With You. (Between 1971 and 1983, she had recorded for the Japanese market, though: the 1976 LP Chris Moves, released by CBS Japan in 1977, and -- Alone Together, recorded and released by LOBster in 1979.

Chris Connor (ldr), Bernie Brightman (pdr), Richard Rodney Bennett (arr), Russ Kassoff (arr, p), Bucky Pizzarelli (g), Dick Sarpolo (b), Tony Tedesco (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
At this point in time, Connor had not released an original album in the United States since the 1971 LP Sketches, made for Stanyan Records. But in 1983 she came back wth not one but two domestic albums: Love Being Here With You and, on Applause Records, Live. (Between 1971 and 1983, she had recorded for the Japanese market, though: the 1976 LP Chris Moves, released by CBS Japan in 1977, and -- Alone Together, recorded and released by LOBster in 1979.

I am aware of the following issues, editions, and reissues of the original Love Being Here With You LP.

From Japan:
1. Nippon Phonogram CD: PHCE-1045 (1991; "Sounds Of The Apple" Series)

From the United States:
2. Stash CD: ST-CD-14 (1989; twofer, under the title A Double Date With Helen Forrest and Chris Connor)

The preceding list should be deemed comprehensive, rather that exhaustive or 100% complete. If you know the catalogue number of any other album versions which I did not list above, I would appreciate being emailed the details. Corrections are also welcome; my information about most non-domestic items comes from sources whose reliability is sometimes less than optimal.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Everett Barksdale, Joe Cinderella, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins, Ralph Sharon (p), Don Burns (pac), Osie Johnson, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Side A of this LP is dedicated to numbers sung by Carmen McRae, side B to interpretations by Chris Connor. All tracks come from Connors' and McRae's respective periods as Bethlehem artists.

Chris Connor, Maynard Ferguson (ldr), Joe Farrell (f, ss, ts), Lanny Morgan (f, as), Willie Maiden (cl, ts), Frank Hittner (bcl, bar), Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson, Augustino 'Chet' Ferretti (t), Maynard Ferguson (t, tb, frh), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), John Neves (b), Jaki Byard (p), Rufus Jones (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This Collection consists of ten numbers: six Maynard Ferguson instrumentals and four vocals from the 1961 Connor-Ferguson album Two's Company, on Roulette Records.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Ellis Larkins Trio (acc), Everett Barksdale (g), Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins (p), Chris Connor (v), Bob Garrity (spk)

NOTES:
Reissue of Connor's album of the same title. It is curious to see that the 10" LP was the configuration picked for reissue, rather than the 12" LP. (Then again, it is a celebrated 10" LP, and the 12" version does not have the much-praised cover by Burt Goldblatt.) I have not seen this Spanish album myself, and would like to receive corroboration that my sources have correctly identified it as a reissue of the 10" LP version.

Chris Connor, Maynard Ferguson (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Willie Maiden (arr, cl, ts), Don Sebesky (arr), Joe Farrell (f, ss, ts), Lanny Morgan (f, as), Frank Hittner (bcl, bar), Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson, Augustino 'Chet' Ferretti, Rick Kiefer (t), Maynard Ferguson (t, tb, frh), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Charlie Sanders (b), Jaki Byard (p), Rufus Jones (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
Reissue -- with different cover artwork -- of the 1961 album that Chris Connor and Maynard Ferguson did jointly for Atlantic Records in 1961. Double Exposure should not be confused with Two's Company, another album by the pair, released the same year but on a different label -- Roulette Records.

Chris Connor (ldr), Creed Taylor (pdr), The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Ralph Sharon Group (acc), Herbie Mann (f, ts), Ronnie Odrich (f, cl), J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb), Everett Barksdale, Joe Cinderella, Joe Puma (g), Vinnie Burke, Milt Hinton, Beverly Peer (b), Ellis Larkins, Ralph Sharon (p), Don Burns (pac), Osie Johnson, Art Mardigan (d), Chris Connor (v), Bob Garrity (spk)

NOTES:
This compilation contains 17 selections from Connor's Bethlehem period. Out Of This World has been reissued on CD at least twice (1993, 1995), on both cases in versions that cut the total number of Connor tracks from 17 to 10 .

Takao Ishizuka, Hiroaki Itoh (pdr), George Mraz (b), Norman Simmons (p), Tim Horner (d), Ernestine Anderson, Chris Connor, Carol Sloane (v)

NOTES:
This album contains 10 tracks. Each of the featured vocalists sings solo on two or more tracks. Ernestine Anderson interprets "What's New?" and "Someday My Prince Will Come." Carol Sloane does "All Of Me," "Love Walked In," "Early Autumn" and "Willow Weep For Me." Anderson, Connor, and Sloane sing together in the remaining track ("A Foggy Day").

This Japanese album has been issued on CD at least three times: as CBS 32DP 794 (1987), as CD EMI Toshiba TOCJ-8039 (1998), and as EMI Eastworld CP38-3140 (issue year unknown). The 1984 release date refers to the original format (LP) only.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra (ldr), Lee Gillette (pdr), Bill Russo (arr, tb), Vinnie Dean, Lee Konitz (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Conte Candoli, Walter "Pete" Candoli, Marion "Buddy" Childers, Don Dennis, Maynard Ferguson, Ruben McFall (t), Bob Burgess, Keith Moon, Frank Rosolino (tb), George Roberts (bt), Sal Salvador (g), Donald "Don" Bagley (b), Stan Kenton (p), Stan Levey (d), Chris Connor (v)

NOTES:
This set came out as 3 LPs but as 2 cassettes.

Chris Connor, Peggy Lee (ldr), Nesuhi Ertegun (pdr), Dave Grusin (pdr, arr, con, p, fen, snt, per), Peggy Lee (pdr, arr, v), Phil Schier (eng), Artie Butler (arr), Al Cohn (arr, con), Erno Neufeld (ccm), Pete Christlieb (f, ts), Oliver Nelson (cl, ts), Phil Woods (cl, as), Sol Schlinger (bcl, bar), Jerome Richardson (ss, as, bar), Charles "Chuck" Findley, Joe Newman, Clark Terry (t), Frank Rosolino (tb), Vincent DeRosa (frh), Gene Cipriano (o), Dennis Budimir, Dan Ferguson, Lee Ritenour, David T. Walker (g), George Duvivier, Chuck Rainey (b), Unknown (str), Ronnie Ball, George Gaffney (p), Dick Borden, Ed Shaughnessy (d), Harvey Mason (d, per), Bobbye Hall (cng), Chris Connor (v), Jim Gilstrap, Joe Green, Marti McCall, Jackie Ward, Edna Wright (bkv)

NOTES:
This issue features performances from more than one of my discographical subjects. "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" is a Peggy Lee performance, "Lonely Woman" a Chris Connor performance.

Singers was available both separately and as part of the 12-volume box Atlantic Jazz (catalogue number 81712). The box was issued in both cassette and LP configurations; I do not know if it was also produced in the CD format.