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CD REVIEW
By Charleston Hepston
SQ Issue:  Summer 2006 Volume 16, Issue 3

Julia Lee & Her Boyfriends – Kansas City’s First Lady of the Blues            
2002 JSP Records

The Band:  Julia Lee – piano, vocals; Joe Alexander – vocals; Harry Babasin – bass; Henry Bridges – tenor sax; Red Callender – bass; Benny Carter – trombone, alto sax; Dave Cavanaugh – clarinet, tenor sax; Ben Curtis – bass; Clarence Davis – trumpet; Vic Dicenson – trombone; Tommy Douglas – clarinet, alto sax; Charlie Drayton – bass; Lucky Enois – guitar; Karl George – trumpet; Freddie Gulliver – tenor sax; William K. “Billy” Hadnott – bass; Nappy Lamare – guitar; Jay McShann – piano; Red Nichols – cornet; Red Norvo – xylophone; Todd Oliver – trumpet; Walter Page – bass; Ernie Royal – trumpet; Bobby Sherwood – trumpet; Geechie Smith – trumpet; Efferge Ware - guitar

“Julia Lee, a talented singer and pianist from Kansas City, first recorded in the 1920s with her brother George Lee’s Orchestra, plus two titles of her own. She continued working in Kansas City through the decades, not recording again until 1944, when she signed with Capitol. This two-CD set has all of her 1944-1947 studio recordings (other than alternates and a few unreleased performances later released by Bear Family) and features her in peak form. Lee, who became known for her slightly risqué numbers, was actually a well-rounded swing pianist and singer, and these 48 selections find her performing blues, standards, and some originals.”   --- All Music Guide review.

Ouch!  This one is too hot to handle.  One look at the band line up and you know that this is gonna be a good CD, er CD’s, this is a 2 fer!   This 2 CD set is chock full of swingin’ blues, slow blues, boogie and jazz.  It’s a plethora of great music that makes this CD a steal at $16.98 (amazon.com). 

You may only recognize songs like Come On Over to My House, When You’re Smilin’ and Oh Marie but this set has fabulous swingin’ tunes like Julia’s Blues, Snatch It and Grab It, Gotta Give Me Whatcha Got, That’s What I Like, Ain’t it a Crime and King Size Papa.   But if you are also in to blues dancing, you are gonna find great tunes like Cold Hearted Daddy, Bleeding Hearted Blues, Dream Lucky Blues and one of my favorites, Sit Down and Drink it Over, will get you in your groove.

Whether it’s swingin’ blues, slow blues, boogie or jazz, you’re gonna walk away with a load of great music at a very affordable price.  Lee’s vocals are gritty, sassy and sweet.  She’ll fill your bill no matter the style.  She really is the First Lady of Blues.  Kansas City will have to share her with the world, though!

Bottom Line:  To buy or not to buy….. BUY!  Here’s how: