Dinah Washington – The Very Best of Dinah Washington (2014) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Dinah Washington was at once one of the most beloved and controversial singers of the mid-20th century beloved to her fans, devotees, and fellow singers; controversial to critics who still accuse her of selling out her art to commerce and bad taste. Her principal sin, apparently, was to cultivate a distinctive vocal style that was at home in all kinds of music, be it R&B, blues, jazz, middle of the road pop and she probably would have made a fine gospel or country singer had she the time. Hers was a gritty, salty, high-pitched voice, marked by absolute clarity of diction and clipped, bluesy phrasing. Washington’s personal life was turbulent, with seven marriages behind her, and her interpretations showed it, for she displayed a tough, totally unsentimental, yet still gripping hold on the universal subject of lost love. She has had a huge influence on R&B and jazz singers who have followed in her wake, notably Nancy Wilson, Esther Phillips, and Diane Schuur.

Tracklist:
01. I Believe feat. Brook Benton
02. All or Nothing feat. The Lucky Thompson’s All Stars
03. Love for Sale
04. Ain’t misbehavin’ feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
05. September in the Rain
06. Beggin’ Mama Blues feat. The Lucky Thompson’s All Stars
07. Blues for a Day feat. The Lucky Thompson’s All Stars
08. Chewin’ Mama Blues feat. The Lucky Thompson’s All Stars
09. Pacific Coast Blues feat. The Lucky Thompson’s All Stars
10. Rich Man’s Blues feat. The Lucky Thompson’s All Stars
11. Come rain or come shine (Live version)
12. A Rockin’ Good Way to Mess Around and Fall in Love feat. Brook Benton
13. I Diddie
14. If It’s the Last Thing I Do feat. Hal Mooney Orchestra
15. As Long as I’m in Your Arms
16. I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love with Me
17. I Was Telling Him About You
18. If I Should Lose You feat. Quincy Jones and His Orchestra
19. I’ll Come Back for More
20. I’ll Never Kiss You Goodbye
21. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
22. Softly
23. Tears and Laughter feat. Quincy Jones and His Orchestra
24. Tell Love Hello!
25. This Heart of Mine
26. Wake the Town and Tell the People feat. Quincy Jones and His Orchestra
27. With a Song in My Heart
28. Without a Song
29. Ain’t cha glad feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
30. Black and blue feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
31. Cristopher columbus feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
32. Everybody loves my baby feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
33. Honeysuckle rose feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
34. I’ve got a feeling i’m falling feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
35. Jitterbug waltz feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
36. Keepin’ out of mischief now feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
37. Someone’s rocking my dreamboat feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
38. Squeeze me feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
39. T’ain’t nobody’s biz-ness if i do feat. Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra
40. Gambler’s Blues
41. New Blowtop Blues
42. Trouble in Mind
43. Tv Is the Thing
44. Come on Home feat. Hall Mooney Orchestra
45. Dream feat. Hall Mooney Orchestra
46. The More I See You feat. Hall Mooney Orchestra
47. What a Diff’rence a Day Makes feat. Hall Mooney Orchestra
48. Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby
49. Take Your Shoes off Baby
50. Where Are You
51. You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You