Billy Eckstine Albums (12)
'Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter'
Release Date 10/25/1990
Tracks 12
Label Polygram
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What The Critics Say
Billy Eckstine's final recording (although he would live until 1993) finds the 72-year old singer showing his age. Mr. B's famous baritone voice at this late date only hints at his earlier greatness although his phrasing and enthusiasm uplift what could have been a depressing affair. Ironically altoist Benny Carter (who was 79) still sounds in his prime on alto and he takes an effective trumpet solo on "September Song." Singer Helen Merrill opens and closes the set by interacting vocally with Eckstine on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and "Didn't We." Eckstine, backed by a trio headed by his longtime pianist Bobby Tucker, does his best on such songs as "My Funny Valentine," "Memories of You" and "Autumn Leaves" but his earlier recordings are the ones to get. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A 1990 reissue of a fine live date with Quincy Jones leading the orchestra and writing the tracks. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
'Once More with Feeling'
Release Date 1/1/1962
Tracks 14
Label Roulette
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What The Critics Say
Billy Eckstine was looking back more than forward by 1960, and his second record for Roulette featured two remakes of familiar hits he'd enjoyed almost 20 years earlier. He also covered two average themes from forgottable movies, the first being the title song (from a Yul Brynner vehicle), the second being "Secret Love" (from a Doris Day film). It may read like a desultory date, and indeed it would have been if not for the presence of a solid jazz band and the surprisingly sympathetic arrangements of big-brass auteur Billy May. Eckstine had fronted some strong bands in the past and consequently doesn't need to strain his voice to equal the energy behind May's charts, even on unexpected swingers like "Stormy Weather" and "I Hear a Rhapsody." "I Apologize," one of the two remakes, is treated with glimmering strings that certainly suggest the '40s but work in the context of the adult-pop era as well. [A 2003 reissue by Roulette Jazz added two bonus tracks, a pair of pop crossovers originally released as a single.] ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
'No Cover, No Minimum'
Release Date 1/1/1961
Tracks 21
Label Roulette
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What The Critics Say
This CD has an unusual cover picture showing Billy Eckstine singing while holding a trumpet. He does indeed take a few short trumpet solos on the well-rounded program, 24 songs (13 previously unissued) performed during one night in Las Vegas. Eckstine, who is backed by an orchestra arranged by his pianist Bobby Tucker, is heard in prime form on a variety of standards. His baritone voice (which was quite influential) straddles the boundary between middle-of-the-road pop and jazz on such numbers as "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," "Without a Song," "Prisoner of Love," "I Apologize", "Alright, Okay, You Win" and "'Deed I Do." A good example of his talents. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Billy Eckstine's Imagination'
Release Date 1/1/1958
Tracks 12
Label EmArcy
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What The Critics Say
Not the greatest-hits compilation listeners may think it is, Billy's Best! is in fact a full LP, one of Eckstine's first for Mercury, and the best of his career. Wrapped in strings and the brassy notes of a few jazzmen by arrangers Henry Mancini and Pete Rugolo, Eckstine slides through a dozen ballads and romantic songs, "Stella by Starlight," "You Don't Know What Love Is," and "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams." Though his certainly isn't the zippiest version of "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" ever committed to record, Eckstine's wonderful baritone commands this set entirely. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
