Kay Starr

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Key tracks:

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  1. Powder Your Face with Sunshine
  2. Betcha I Getcha
  3. Vagabond Shoes
  4. Pretty Baby

Label: Soundies

Read Description:

Overlooked classy, sassy singer with the voice of the forties.

You have probably noticed the latest Woodwork Music placement on the new Tropicana advert, a bright a breezy ditty entitled "It's a Good Day" but you may not be familiar with the surprisingly overlooked singer. We have a selection of some of her best songs which are also amongst her most rare and undiscovered gems so read on!

Kay Starr was one of the most popular American vocalists during the 1940's and 1950's, she lived an incredible life thanks to her exceptional voice. She became a popular radio talent show winner at the age of seven, was on tour with Joe Venuti at fifteen and by the age of seventeen she working with Glen Miller. Mainly recording for Capitol Records during their heyday she also recorded with Count Basie and Pat Boone.

The Standard Transcriptions contain a superb selection of tracks from this savvy singer accompanied by Les Paul, Joe Venuti and a punchy studio orchestra, mainly rare recordings from 1948-49, when her post war career was really starting to take off, revealing a confident Starr giving the world her best. "Powder Your Face With Sunshine" is a bright , breezy, brassy upbeat number; a cry for positivity and the power of smiles!  "Betcha I Getcha" shines with staccato violin and jazz guitar as our vocalist goes after what she wants and won't take no for an answer. "Vagabond Shoes" is about the wanderer's desire to return home, Starr's rendition is vastly superior to Nancy Sinatra's version feeling as sultry and intense as a long hot Southern afternoon. Begging to be licensed is "Pretty Baby", a swinging jazz number, gloriously celebrating love in all it's many guises. Starr's command of phrasing and emotion are masterful; she nails song after song in this rich collection of torch songs and standards...

Things to watch:

Releases we represent:

  • The Best Of The Standard Transcriptions | Album | Soundies | 2006

Tracks included on the following samplers: