A remarkable vocalist who could holler gritty R&B lyrics, bring soul to torchy ballads, add charm and wit to the standards of the American Songbook, and make a Beatles song almost her own, Esther Phillips was formidably versatile, equally at ease with jazz, soul, country, pop and rhythm and blues. Famous for her bittersweet vocal sound and distinctive phrasing she was, in the words of Atlantic boss Ahmet Ertegun “one of the best singers he had ever heard”. Signed to Atlantic in 1964, she released a series of well-crafted albums, arranged by the likes of Ray Ellis and King Curtis. Here is some of the best of her output for the label.
- 1-1 And I Love Him
- 1-10 If You Love Me, Really Love Me
- 1-11 Too Soon To Know
- 1-12 Make Believe Dreams
- 1-2 'Tis Autumn
- 1-3 Shangri-La
- 1-4 Moonglow & Theme From Picnic
- 1-5 Out Of The Blue
- 1-6 People
- 1-7 Makin' Whoopie
- 1-8 Girl From Ipanema
- 1-9 I Wish You Love
- 2-1 I Really Don't Want To Know
- 2-10 No Headstone On My Grave
- 2-11 Why Should We Try Anymore
- 2-2 Just Out Of Reach
- 2-3 I Can't Help It
- 2-4 Be Honest With Me
- 2-5 I've Forgotten More That You'll Ever Know About Him
- 2-6 Release Me
- 2-7 I'd Fight The World
- 2-8 Am I That Easy To Forget
- 2-9 After Loving You
- 3-1 It's All Right With Me
- 3-10 Every Time We Say Goodbye
- 3-11 As Tears Go By
- 3-12 The Party's Over
- 3-2 The Shadow Of Your Smile
- 3-3 Crazy He Calls Me
- 3-4 He Touched Me
- 3-5 A Taste Of Honey
- 3-6 Let There Be Love
- 3-7 You Can't Go Home Again
- 3-8 Just Say Goodbye
- 3-9 I Could Have Told You So
- 4-1 Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
- 4-2 And I Love him
- 4-3 Cry Me A River Blues
- 4-4 I'm Gettin' 'Long Alright
- 4-5 Release Me
- 4-6 Makin' Whoopie
- 4-7 It It's The Last Thing I Do
- 4-8 Shangri-La
- 4-9 Please Send Me Someone To Love
- 5-1 I'm Gettin' 'Long Alright
- 5-10 Bye Bye Blackbird
- 5-11 Blow Top Blues/Jelly Jelly Blues/Long John Blues
- 5-2 I Wonder
- 5-3 Confessin' The Blues
- 5-4 Romance In The Dark
- 5-5 C.C. Rider
- 5-6 Cherry Red
- 5-7 In The Evenin'
- 5-8 I Love Paris
- 5-9 It Could Happen To You
