Anita O'Day: Live in '63 & '70

The Jazz Icons series is without peer in the world of jazz videos, and it hits all the right notes once again with this volume, featuring two European concerts by vocalist Anita O'Day. Unlike some of her peers, O'Day (1919–2006) was not some delicate thrush standing shyly in front of her band, but rather a tough chick who was as much a musician as the guys who played instruments. Both of these shows, the first in Sweden in 1963 and the second in Norway seven years later, are about 30 minutes long and filmed in black and white (the visuals are mostly very crisp and the restored audio is flawless). Backed by trios made up primarily of local musicians, O'Day displays her dry sound, unerring intonation, impeccable sense of swing, and judicious use of scat singing as she performs standards like “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Let's Fall in Love,” and a very brisk “Tea for Two,” all of which are sung at both concerts. The fact that she was apparently working with some of these players for the first time (fielding a request from the Swedish audience, she says to pianist Goran Engdahl, “You know ‘Honeysuckle Rose'? In B-flat? You try it?”) makes no difference whatsoever, as O'Day is in complete control. “I'd tell you a joke, but I don't know any clean ones,” she cracks at one point. No problem—the music's all we need. Presented in Dolby Digital mono, extras include a 20-page booklet with liner notes, rare photographs, and a memorabilia collage. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)