Betty Carter - Four Classic Albums (2cd)

Carter, Betty

This double CD set contains four complete albums, namely "Meet Betty Carter & Ray Bryant" from mid-1955, which alternates six vocal and six instrumental tracks, "Out There" from February 1958 with a big band accompaniment, "The Modern Sound of Betty Carter" recorded in August 1960, and "Ray Charles & Betty Carter" from June 1961. Betty Carter was something of a Jekyll & Hyde in her treatment of songs; her ballad style is eminently listenable, but her approach to more up-tempo numbers could be quite wayward, and did not necessarily improve on the original. If in doubt try listening to "The Way You Look Tonight" as a good example. In my opinion the duet album with Ray Charles is the most accessible.

Price: $22.98