Why have I never heard of Ethel Ennis before??? If you're a fan of 50's vocal jazz, this album is a must-hear. Her voice is perfect, sultry at times, longing at others, always hitting just the right tone. The arrangements are subtle and sophisticated (with Hank Jones on piano). The production is atmospheric and timeless. And every song is a beauty. These traits combine to make this easily one of the best releases of 1955.
After this album blew me away, I set out to binge-listen to the rest of Ennis' catalog. And while her other albums don't quite match this peak, the ones I've heard are all fantastic. For an interesting contrast, I also recommend her sadly-overlooked "comeback" album, Ethel Ennis, recorded 38 years later. She's still got it! So why isn't Ethel Ennis ever mentioned when discussing the great ladies of Jazz? For what it's worth, I'll be doing my part to correct that injustice.
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