Favorite Records of the Year (1955)
Happy new year, Unaffect-heads! To celebrate, we’re counting down our top records from 70 years ago.
Vickie Vieira / Bernadine Read / Ivana Cosetta
Let’s semicircumnavigate the globe, from Cabo Verde to Rhode Island to Kansas to Italy with three outstanding singers, Vickie Vieira, Bernadine Read and Ivana Cosetta. And a cameo by one not-so-outstanding singer, me.
Noriel Vilela / Ingeborg Hallstein / Chantal Laurentie
On this episode, we delve into the valleys and soar up to the peaks of the range of the human singing voice, landing in the soft comfy middle. Enjoy the ride!
Lucy Ann Polk
One of the all-time great jazz singers, Lucy Ann Polk’s star shone bright from the mid-40s to the late 1950s. This career retrospective is all too short but I’m confident you’ll fall in love with her voice.
Jacques Foti / Sonny Knight / Sunny Knight
Curl up with your favorite beverage and your favorite person and luxuriate in the intimate sounds of Jacques Foti. Then marvel at his remarkable biography! Also we meet two paradoxically, similarly named singers who hold their own around an unaffected vocal performance.
Unaffected Jukebox: Wilhelmine / Jenny Barrett / Kitty La Nier / Betty Clooney / Nina Gaylo / Judith Ho
This is our first ever Jukebox Episode! Featuring artists who never recorded an LP but who left a musical legacy nonetheless on 7 inch discs.
Inez Jones / Violeta Parra / Mercedes Sosa
The legacy of Inez Jones lives strong today, 30 years after her passing, through her beautiful voice and her generous spirit. We also take an all-too-brief listen to two shining stars of South American folk music.
Pinky Winters / Joanie Sommers / Nancy Harrow
Winters is cool! Pinky Winters, that is. A first ballot Unaffected hall of famer who strikes a perfect balance of jazzy musicianship and heartfelt emotion. She is joined here by season-mates Joanie Sommers and Nancy Harrow, so we’ve got you covered for the whole year.
Carmen Costa / Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira
Meet the Queen of Samba, Carmen Costa who had a prolific and varied career in Brazil. Later, hear a record that defies the “record probability phenomenon.” Plus, a special visit from one of Unaffected’s biggest fans - Ethan’s mom.
Carmen Costa
Jane Turzy / Mary Ford / Barbara Cameron
Jane Turzy had some success in 1951 using new mulit-track recording techniques. She never reached the heights of popularity enjoyed by Mary Ford, but perhaps popularity isn’t everything. One of Ford’s tunes is loonily reminiscent of one written by torch singer Barbara Cameron. All that and a political rant to boot!
Liz Fillo / Rochelle Turner
The great blog 7-Inch Jazz World unearthed a gem called “Here’s Liz” recorded by a group of undergrads at Cornell University in 1957. I wanted to hear more, and I think you will too. Discover the warm tones and flawless technique of Liz Fillo! Also we go Down Under to hear a rare track by Rochelle Turner.
Liz Fillo
Chat with Franklin Bruno, Part 2
Continuation of Ethan’s discussion with Franklin Bruno
Barbara Long, Char Lovett, Anita Lindblom, Chiemi Eri, Claudia Thompson
Chat with Franklin Bruno, Part 1
Ethan sits down with songwriter, scholar, poet, DJ, author Franklin Bruno to chat about singers, songs, Unaffected and more, live on the radio from Claremont, California.
Bezunesh Bekele, Mavis Rivers, Kiz Harp
Kiz Harp, Volume 1
With her immaculate diction, sterling personality and phenomenal technique, Kiz Harp has earned the title of My Favorite Singer. Go down in the depths with me as I try to demonstrate what I love about Ms. Kiz. Also, stick through till the end for a cool mystery singer!
Kiz Harp
Annie Fratellini / Althea Gibson
Join our belated celebration of Bastille Day and the Wimbledon finals with a discussion about two singers who made their mark in other professions. Both Annie Fratellini and Althea Gibson excelled at whichever craft they chose to pursue, and gave us some great vocal tracks along the way.
Lodi Carr / Sheila Jordan
Celebrating the USA this Independence Day weekend with a couple of early ‘60s jazz singers, Lodi Carr and Sheila Jordan. Also features an anti-Hentoff rant and a brief history of “wrong notes.”
Chavela Vargas / Wilma Burgess
We celebrate Pride month with an all-too-brief introduction to the dynamic Chavela Vargas. Appended with a visit with country performer Wilma Burgess. Happy Pride!
Sugar Pie DeSanto / Pilita Corrales
If you’re not acquainted with Sugar Pie DeSanto yet, you’re in for a treat! Hear about the life and work of this delightful bundle of enerrgy. We also get a taste of the Filipina diva, Pilita Corrales.
Here are the links mentioned in the podcast:
Laurie Dale / Laurie Allyn
Come join the ultra-exclusive club of people who have heard Laurie Dale sing. This “blonde, beautiful and buxom” night club singer had a brief recording career that produced only two sides. Also, we hear from Laurie Allyn who narrowly escaped total obscurity.
