2008-03-16 -- 5/5:: music for lovers only
Beauty and the Beat! Is a mostly live (yes, mostly live) album by the great Peggy Lee with the equally talented George Shearing at the piano. It's interesting that they recorded introductions to these songs after the live concert was recorded. However, despite this unusual feature this disc is extremely pleasing to the ear. Peggy sounds just great here and George plays his piano wonderfully. We also get two bonus tracks that apparently were not on the record album release of this recording; Peggy and George perform "Nobody's Heart" and "Don't Ever Leave Me."

"Do I Love You?" gives us Peggy singing at her very best and George plays piano so well to accompany her in grand style. The other musicians do a fine job of making the musical arrangement lush without being overbearing. "I Lost My Sugar In salt Lake City" features Peggy's vocals squarely front and center; she handles this number with panache. Peggy's' ability to effortlessly handle the numerous tempo changes in this number impresses me quite a bit. George plays the piano--flawlessly, of course!

"If Dreams Come True" again showcases Peggy's vocals and it seems that George Shearing was practically born to play alongside Peggy. The percussion enhances the natural beauty of this number. "Mambo In Miami" is a number that George Shearing and his buddies perform so beautifully; I always enjoyed a good mambo tune and this is certainly no exception! "Isn't It Romantic?" again features the musicians with George at the piano for a spectacular number. I must have played "Isn't It Romantic?" a million times on my CD player!

"You Came A Long Way From St. Louis" gets a fine, slow treatment from these artists and it all works very nicely. The percussion shines and Peggy sings this like the fine chanteuse she always was! Peggy's' diction bolsters her exceptional performance; I love this tune! "There'll be Another Spring" is a gentle romantic tune that exudes elegance and high style as Peggy, George and the others perform this flawlessly.

"Satin Doll" shines like gold; I rarely enjoy such fine piano playing! George and his pals really do this one up right. Then, of course, we get the two bonus tracks. "Nobody's Heart" is an elegant tune with a slow, romantic treatment that stuns me with its beauty; and the album ends very strong with "Don't Ever Leave Me" with Peggy making a passionate appeal to her one true love not to leave her alone. "Don't Ever Leave Me" tugs at my heartstrings and I predict you'll like this number very much.

In sum, Beauty And The Beat! Is another one of Peggy Lee's stupendous albums--this one with fantastic accompaniments by George Shearing and his buddies. I highly recommend this album for Peggy Lee fans. People who enjoy classic pop vocals should also get this album.

2007-07-07 -- 5/5:: Great easy listening jazz album...
I originally bought the LP as a kid of 13 and played it to death (1957). It was an early intro to jazz and I was a fan of big band music also. I recently have started to collect "older" albums that I had as LPs and was glad to see this one available. My other 1st album was Errol Garner "Concert By The Sea" that still is so soothing in traffic now that I have the CD.
I can highly recommend this album as well as Errol Garner. Ms Lee was in her prime and a joy to hear. Mr Shearing was one of the finest jazz pianists and pairs up with Ms Lee beautifully.

2007-04-10 -- 5/5:: Wonderful recording
I remember hearing this album as a kid. I found it wonderful then and find it wonderful now. I have to confess that I do prefere the album with the additions of the talk and the clapping - yes, I know that this was added later but it does give the album an added excitement.

Still ....... with or without the clapping and the chat, it is a great album with some masterpieces (in my opinion) - but then, I am a fan!!!

2007-01-11 -- 4/5:: Ah Memories!
As a kid in the fifties I grew up listening to my Dad's 'long playing records'. The original of this was one of my favorites. It was sad to read that the version I found so exciting, with the sounds of the audience, was faked in a studio. I used to get goose bumps when Peggy would say, " Shall we swing a little?" and the audience of DJ's exploded into rapturous applause. It may have been fake but it made exciting entertainment and isn't that what it's all about?

There is something lost in this version, a little flatness that wasn't present in the one I grew up with. Never the less, it's one of the all time great performances and if I had never heard the original I would be more than satisfied
Linda Carmichael

2006-01-30 -- 5/5:: Another favorite from yesteryear...
I was delighted to find this in CD - it's one of my favorites from many years ago!