Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series 180-Gram LP

This pressing of Songs I Like To Sing! is part of Craft Recordings' Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series. Bernie Grundman cut the lacquers in an all-analog (AAA) chain, the record is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings (QRP), and it ships in a tip-on jacket. Labels and jacket carry catalog number CR00714, and the back cover reprints Lester Koenig's original liner notes, dated January 17, 1961, with the full session personnel.

Issued in 1961, it was Helen Humes' second album for Contemporary, arranged and conducted by Marty Paich. Koenig produced it at Contemporary's studio in Los Angeles, with sound by Howard Holzer, across three sessions in September 1960. The eight up-tempo numbers were cut on September 6 and 7 with a fourteen-piece band. The four ballads followed on September 8, with Ben Webster's tenor, the rhythm section and a string quartet of James Getzoff and Joseph Stepansky on violins, Alvin Dinkin on viola and Eleanor Slatkin on cello.

The big-band dates put Art Pepper on alto saxophone and clarinet, Webster and Teddy Edwards on tenor and Bill Hood on baritone, with trumpeters Al Porcino, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson and Jack Sheldon and trombonists Harry Betts and Bob Fitzpatrick. Andre Previn on piano, Barney Kessel on guitar, Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Shelly Manne on drums play on every track.

Humes, born in Louisville, spent four years as a vocalist with Count Basie's orchestra from 1938. "Million Dollar Secret" is her own song; her 1950 recording of it for Modern reached No. 6 on the R&B chart, and she cut it again for this album. William Claxton took the cover photograph.

Tracklist

Side 1

1. If I Could Be With You
2. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
3. Mean To Me
4. Every Now And Then
5. I Want A Roof Over My Head
6. St. Louis Blues

Side 2

1. You're Driving Me Crazy
2. My Old Flame
3. Million Dollar Secret
4. Love Me Or Leave Me
5. Imagination
6. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone

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Last updated: 2/6/26

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Last updated: 2/6/26