Carmen McRae Art of Carmen McRae / For Once In My Life (2-CD)

Despite an admittedly limited vocal range, Carmen McRae spent more than 50 years as a leading light in the world of jazz. Rarely straying far from her deep roots in jazz, Carmen's scatting and balladry revealed a remarkable range of vivid, powerful emotion. Her "For Once In My Life" LP was recorded April 10-12, 1967 in London with the orchestra of Johnny Keating. The tracks that make up the never-released LP "The Art Of Carmen McRae" were taken from sessions for her other Atlantic albums. Everyone from Herbie Mann and Richard Tee to Eric Gale and yes, Benny Carter, backed her on those LPs. Even former husband Kenny Clarke turned up on one 1970 date.