846 Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood - Nancy & Lee (1968)

 846 Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood - Nancy & Lee (1968)

Studio Album - Country/Crooner




About the Acts:

Barton Lee Hazlewood (July 9, 1929 – August 4, 2007) was an American country and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer, most widely known for his work with guitarist Duane Eddy during the late 1950s and singer Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s and 1970s.[Wikipedia]

Nancy Sandra Sinatra (born June 8, 1940) is an American singer and actress. She is the elder daughter of Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra (née Barbato), and is widely known for her 1965 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'". [Wikipedia]


About the Album:

This was (obviously) a collaboration between Nancy and Lee. Surprisingly, given how well it was received, it has very little information on Wikipedia.


My History with this Album:

None.


Review:

There is a strong tradition of crooner/country music like this, backed by an orchestra, and with vocals way high in the mix, very dominant and clear. It reminds me of radio 2 in the 70s and a whole load of music that I would have categorised as "old music" in my youth. It's kind of pre-Beatles white Pop. 

Within this, there is also a fine tradition of duets, allowing for interplay between two singers, often one male, one female. This is, of course, a whole album of such. It is light, it is entertainment, it is in fact, light entertainment, or "easy listening". It varies between Country and Not-So-Country but is most of a muchness of style. Nancy's voice is clear and crisp and could have been popular in the 50s, in musicals. Lee has a deep voice, reminiscent of other people with low voices, like Lee Marvin for example, of Johnny Cash.

The songs are not all covers, notably amongst those that are, are "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" and "Jackson". Jackson, is a Country duet classic, and despite that, I have a soft spot for it. The originals are written by Lee. 

Surprisingly, for something so schmaltzy, (and it is), I quite like it. It's handled fairly deftly, so it doesn't grate. It is definitely not deep or complex, but it is competent and listenable.


6.7/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7I7z6Lfwyc1nghsFImEhYq

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnk1ENeFE79XqT1uS8WWeymPx19ZgNbIY

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_%26_Lee


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