One chilly December afternoon, my Christmas shopping experience went awry when The Gap started playing Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s rendition of the classic ’50s pop standard, “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Jessica sounded pained, and Nick sounded artificial, as if he secretly hated his then-wife’s voice.
Before Jessica and Nick, there was Carmen McRae and Sammy Davis, Jr., a duo that actually had chemistry and talent. They recorded two gorgeous and romantic records—“Boy Meets Girl” (1957) and “Porgy and Bess” (1959)—filled with vocal jazz standards. In 2005, Verve Records compiled the two CDs and released “Boy Meets Girl: Sammy Davis, Jr. & Carmen McRae on Decca.”
Both McRae and Davis had incredibly distinct voices. Sadly, they passed away in 1994 and 1990, respectively. McRae, a giant among female jazz singers, is high up there with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn. She could scat with the best of them and was versatile: her smoky croon could be serious, playful or anything else. And Davis was the embodiment of cool. A member of the Rat Pack, he could charm any woman with his charisma and throaty baritone. Together, the two made magic in the studio.
This CD contains a medley of jazz tracks, including “Two Sleepy People” and “Happy to Meet Your Acquaintance” by American composer Frank Loesser, and classics from the Gershwin brothers’ opera “Porgy and Bess,” such as “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”
It’s difficult to highlight specific songs: the theme of this CD is love and Davis and McRae convey this theme well on every track. “There’s A Small Hotel” is an achingly romantic ballad, perfect for slow dancing. Davis is extremely suave and McRae is as sweet as honey. The orchestra plays softly behind them as they waltz through the track without a care in the world.
“I Go For You” is a playful duet in which the pair have such a wonderful rapport that they make the lyrics sound like a couple’s witty banter. The band’s big, tango-esque sound—the horn section starts the tune with a vociferous riff—complements the duo’s call-and-response beautifully. “Were I a sunlamp, I’d glow for you,” McRae croons. “Were I a rooster, I’d crow for you,” Davis replies.
Although there is no evidence that the twosome had a relationship outside the studio, Davis and McRae had an unparalleled chemistry when it came to music. Jessica and Nick could have learned a thing or two from this couple.