Georgia Gibbs - Red Hot

So Hot it Sizzles!

Once upon a time I had a couple of 78s with Georgia Gibbs songs on them. One of these was CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE backed with GOT HIM OFF MY HANDS. For years I feared I'd never hear either of these wonderful songs again, and here they are -- with a bunch of other great GG songs thrown in to boot.

CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE is a cha-cha number best known in Perez Prado's instrumental version, but it's Georgia's version that you've got to hear. In the song's narrative, nature imitates life as the title trees entwine their branches over the heads of two caressing lovers. It's a truly beautiful, and even poetic, myth. GOT HIM OFF MY HANDS is a masterfully done blues number, with Georgia in her natural element: bluesy, jazz-tinged torch songs.

This album focuses on her early years with only a small percentage of records coming from her most popular days at the Mercury Label. Her unique voice and style are present even on the earliest cuts. And the overall album proves yet another demonstration of Gibbs' seemingly limitless versatilty.

RED HOT MAMA and RAZZ-A-MATAZZ (two of my favorites) are red hot jazz songs which Georgia belts out in a lowdown, doghouse fashion. THE MORE IS SEE YOU, FOOL THAT I AM, SINNER OR SAINT and LOOKS LIKE A COLD, COLD WINTER are heartfelt ballads (the last three are torchin' like crazy, as is the KISS OF FIRE-inspired A MOTH AND A FLAME). STAY WITH THE HAPPY PEOPLE is a catchy, toe-tapping upbeat tune that sticks in your head long after the record is over -- as are PHOTOGRAPH ON THE PIANO, THEN I'LL BE HAPPY and ONCE UPON A NICKEL.

WISH YOU WERE WAINING FOR ME and I'LL GET MYSELF A CHOO CHOO TRAIN are uptempo bluesy numbers, and SIMPLE MELODY (one of two duets with Bob Crosby) is a nice cover of the Bing & Gary Crosby hit -- with GG taking Gary's ragtime part.

Matter of fact, there's not one bad track among the 25 and Georgia's voice is ... thrilling ... on all of them. February 14, 2004

the warm and sultry song stylings of Georgia Gibbs

Georgia Gibbs was one of the top recording artists of her day. Now 25 rare recordings made by the superb Miss Gibbs have been released on disc from the UK-based label Sepia.

Georgia Gibbs was a versatile talent who was at home singing new material ("I'd've Baked You a Cake") as well as Broadway numbers ("I'll Know" and "If I Were a Bell" from GUYS AND DOLLS) and songs from successful movie musicals ("The Trolley Song" from MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS). Miss Gibbs is fetching in all of these numbers.

Other standouts include "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White", "Red Hot Mama", "Ballin' the Jack" (heard in the movie musical FOR ME AND MY GAL) and "I'll Get Myself a Choo Choo Train".

All of the material on this disc is excellent, beautifully restored from the original 78 rpm recordings, and is a must for all fans of the delightful Miss Georgia Gibbs. September 29, 2003

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