Connie Francis - Cocktail Connie: Connie Francis Sings And Swings Lounge Classics (2009) @ Flac

Review by Jason Ankeny

Connie Francis recorded so many pop trifles during her long career that it's easy to forget what a hip and effervescent singer she could be when paired with the right material and collaborators. Cocktail Connie: Connie Francis Sings and Swings Lounge Classics rights that wrong, assembling 18 surprisingly fresh and sophisticated tracks recorded for MGM during the mid-'60s. A significant chunk of the compilation originates via 1968's Sings Bacharach and David -- arranger Claus Ogerman's interpretations of songs like "Walk on By," "This Girl's in Love with You," and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" augment the melodies' jazz-like intricacies to create subdued, richly textured settings that perfectly complement Francis' uncharacteristic vocal restraint, complete with nuanced orchestration worthy of Burt Bacharach himself. No less impressive are pairings with arrangers like Don Costa, Marty Paich, and Benny Golson, all of whom push Francis in welcome new creative directions spanning from bossa nova to sunshine pop.

 01. Connie Francis - It's Not Unusual 

 02. Connie Francis - Bossa Nova Hand Dance (Deixa Prá Lá) 

 03. Connie Francis - Call Me Irresponsible 

 04. Connie Francis - Stardust 

 05. Connie Francis - Do You Know The Way To San Jose? 

 06. Connie Francis - So Nice (Summer Samba) 

 07. Connie Francis - And I Love Him 

 08. Connie Francis - I Wanna Be With You 

 09. Connie Francis - I've Got A Crush On New York Town 

 10. Connie Francis - Walk On By 

 11. Connie Francis - The Shadow Of Your Smile 

 12. Connie Francis - Where Can I Go Without You? 

 13. Connie Francis - Wives And Lovers 

 14. Connie Francis - The Boy From Ipanema 

 15. Connie Francis - I'm Glad There Is You 

 16. Connie Francis - This Girl's In Love With You / I Say A Little Prayer 

 17. Connie Francis - Where Did Ev'ryone Go? 

 18. Connie Francis - The Second Time Around 

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