0263 Billie Laine [Indigo Mood] FLAC 4(11.20)

Contributed by bluebird, who writes:-
The 1950s and 1960s produced a rash of singers trying to break into the music business and producers were eager to sign almost anyone who could sing in tune or close to it, look good and perhaps play an instrument. The public demand for pop music, the new rock and roll and most other forms of music was huge. There were many 'one hit wonders' and even more 'no hit wonders' who sank without trace. It was a tough old business.
Billie Laine (who was?) born in Trinidad came to the UK in the late 1950s to follow a musical career following some minor success in her home country. She was taken up by pianist Bill McGuffie, who provides the accompaniment here with his Quartet.
Billie was not destined for fame. She had a handful of roles in TV, made a forgettable single after this first ep recorded in 1961, and then just seemed to disappear around 1970.
She sings with a strong Trinidadian accent, the Quartet plays quite nicely behind her and she looks good on the sheepskin rug.
But it's not really surprising that she never made it.

Bill McGuffie - piano
unknown - guitar
unknown - bass
unknown - drums
Billie Laine - vocals

01 Gone With The Wind (Magidson, Wrubel) (2:41)
02 We'll Be Together Again (Fischer, Laine) (3:23)
03 Sometimes I'm Happy (Caesar, Youmans) (2:31)
04 Mood Indigo (Bigard, Ellington, Mills) (2:45)

Label: Philips BBE 12438
Recorded: 1961
Lineage: EP>FLAC

0053 Bill McGuffie [Bill McGuffie] FLAC 4(17.16)

Contributed by delmonico, who writes:-
Bill McGuffie was never really regarded as a jazz pianist because he wasn't. He was a very successful pianist in a light music vein and was associated with the BBC radio programmes for many years as resident pianist/orchestra leader for numerous variety shows.
He was, however, voted as top pianist in the Melody Maker Polls for the third year running when these recordings were made in 1955. A sad reflection on the British jazz piano scene or had all the pianists gone to the USA?
He made a rather good big band album in 1972 but this session is with his quartet. It is one of the few recordings he made which was near jazz. Great technique but just lacking a little something to make it special and stand out.
Judge for yourselves.

Bill McGuffie - piano
Alan Metcalfe - guitar
Jack Collier - bass
Jock Cummings - drums

01 Just One of Those Things
02 Violets for Your Furs
03 Fascination
04 Rose Room

Label: Philips BBE 12279 - EP
Recorded: March 1955
Lineage: EP>FLAC