Charlie Gracie - Cool, Baby! The Singles & More 1951 To 1957

Smouldering in 40s glamour – in the 50s

‘Little” Charlie Gracie, from South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is best known for his 1957 hit Butterfly, though, as this best of demonstrates, he was much more than a one-trick pony.

In addition to schmoozy Elvis-style tracks such as Butterfly and its drawl-licked B-side Ninety-Nine Ways, Cool, Baby! sees Gracie smoulder in 40s glamour with such Sinatraesque numbers as I’m Gonna Sit Right Down & Write Myself A Letter and All Over Town, before jumping headfirst into the easy rockabilly of My Baby Loves Me. Those who’ve doubted Gracie’s versatility should take note: he throws swing, country and old fashioned rock’n’roll together so nonchalantly it makes Buddy Holly look try-hard.

What really stands out, however, is the last third. Following 20 polished, though apparently effortless, tracks come 10 demos, alternative versions and live recordings, showcasing Gracie’s sound at its unembellished finest. Highlights include Rock The Joint, which, though muffled and tinny, exemplifies a nostalgic 50s perfection (actually enhanced by the bad recording quality), while a live version of Tutti Frutti embodies jive culture with raw aptness.

Armed with a chorus of shoo-boppers, Gracie charms his way through a world of unrequited love, rock’n’roll and lyrical gibberish, conjuring a convincingly complete picture of the golden age in 30 tracks.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Great Voices Of The Century | GVC 1001

Reviewed by Emmy Watts
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