Holly Cole Trio Don't Smoke In Bed 45RPM (2 LP)

TAS Super LP List! Special Merit: Informal
200g 45rpm Vinyl Double LP!
Mastered by Bernie Grundman From Original Master Tapes!
Plated & Pressed by Quality Record Pressings!
Now on 45 rpm 2LP for ultimate cartridge tracking and detailed sound reproduction!
Holly Cole brings her own dimension to the tradition of cabaret, a strong voice that's still capable of nuance, an ear for quirky repertoire, and a light touch that keeps some of these performances floating just at the edge of irony.
On her second album, 1993's Don't Smoke in Bed, Cole explores varied musical styles, adding pop, blues, country and a French ballad to her standard, low-key jazz. It's a favorite, which is why this Analogue Productions reissue gives it the reissue treatment it deserves. Bernie Grundman did the mastering and cut the lacquers at 45 RPM, from the original analog tapes, at his Los Angeles studio, giving this release a spectacular foundation. Plating and pressing on 200-gram heavyweight vinyl was done by Gary Salstrom and crew at Quality Record Pressings. Lastly, the whole package is wrapped in a premium gatefold tip-on jacket from Stoughton Printing. There's nothing but aces in this smokin' hot reissue and the quality shines through.
Holly's delivery of more traditional fare shines on Cole Porter's witty "Get Out of Town" and Kurt Weill's torchy "Je Ne T'aime Pas," while she brings clarity, power, and anthemic passion to the surprising treatment of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." She's generally well supported in this intimate set by pianist Aaron Davis and bassist David Piltch, while there's sparing and effective use of strings. There are fine guest spots by tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, on "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday," and David Lindley, whose steel guitar contributes to the strange country music of "Don't Let the Teardrops Rust Your Shining Heart."
Holly Cole herself liked to call this album her contribution to fire protection. The trio's third full album by jazz vocalist Holly Cole, pianist Aaron Davis and bassist David Piltch dates from 1993 and was fortunately recorded on analog tape. The album meant the breakthrough of the previously practically only in Canada known troupe, because with the opener "I can see clearly now" succeeded a variant of the well-known song, which has almost nothing in common with the well-known Johnny Nash version and yet is extremely good. Here, the otherwise rather shallow Caribbean melody becomes an engaging spiritual hymn.
Also in the other songs of the album Cole sets completely different accents with partly well-known material. "Cry (if you want to)" becomes an almost rocking number and "Que sera sera" a life-affirming opus to uncertainty. The successful musical mixture and the excellent sound qualities already in the original release quickly made the album popular in high-end circles. A tonal and musical delight even for people who otherwise do not have much to do with jazz.

Features:

• 45rpm
• 200g Vinyl
• Double LP
• Mastered by Bernie Grundman from original master tapes
• Plated & pressed by Gary Salstrom at Quality Record Pressings
• Premium old-style gatefold tip-on jacket from Stoughton Printing

Selections:

Side A
1. I Can See Clearly Now
2. Don't Let The Teardrops Rust Your Shining Heart
Side B
1. Get Out Of Town
2. So And So
3. The Tennessee Waltz
Side C
1. Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday
2. Blame It On My Youth
3. Ev'rything I've Got
Side D
1. Je Ne T'Aime Pas
2. Cry (If you Want To)
3. Que Sera Sera
4. Don't Smoke In Bed