Love Letters - Ketty Lester (1962) (1LP Vinyl) - Very Good Plus (VG+)

Love Letters by Ketty Lester.

Recorded in March of 1962 in Hollywood, California, this mono pressing of "Love Letters" captures Ketty Lester at a defining moment, delivering a program of standards and torch songs with the poise and intimacy that made her a singular voice. The album opens with its celebrated title track, a song whose spare, spoken-sung phrasing and haunting arrangement helped introduce Lester to a wide audience. From that first cut, the record sets a mood of tender confession and quiet drama that carries through both sides.

The song selection reads like a carefully curated evening of romance and melancholy. Side A moves from the title tune into "Once Upon A Time," "P. S. I Love You," and "I'll Never Stop Loving You," before darkening beautifully with "Gloomy Sunday" and "Fallen Angel." Side B keeps the emotional temperature high, gathering "Where Or When," "I'm A Fool To Want You," "Moscow Nights," "Porgy, I's Your Woman Now," "When I Fall In Love," and the closing "Goin' Home." It is a set that balances familiar standards with more unexpected choices, giving Lester room to shade each lyric with her own understated authority.

Much of the album's distinctive character comes from Lincoln Mayorga, who arranged the sessions and provided piano and organ throughout. His writing frames Lester's vocals with a warm, considered elegance, supported by a rhythm section of Ray Pohlman on guitar, Dick Brandt on bass, and drums split between Earl Palmer on the title track and Milt Holland across the remainder of the record. That subtle handoff behind the kit gives the opener a slightly different pulse from the songs that follow.

The arrangements are enriched by a full string and reed complement that lends the album its lush, cinematic sweep. Violins from Ambrose Russo, Benny Gill, Bob Levine, Howard Colf, John Santulis, and Lou Klass weave through the ballads, while cellos from David Filerman, Howard Colf, and Naoum Benditzky add depth and shadow. John Neufeld's clarinet rounds out the ensemble, coloring the quieter passages with a breath of woodwind warmth.

Produced by Ed Cobb as an A.C.M. Production, the record was engineered by Armin Steiner, whose recording gives the vocals presence and the strings a natural bloom. The package carries art direction by Ken Kim, photography by Sid Avery, and liner notes by Bill Pereira, a complete presentation that reflects the care behind the music.

This is the monophonic edition, marked DL 108 MONOPHONIC at the lower left of the front cover, with catalog number DL-108 on the spine and EL-108 on the label. It is a rewarding find for admirers of early 1960s vocal jazz and lushly orchestrated song.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Love Letters
A2. Once Upon A Time
A3. P. S. I Love You
A4. I'll Never Stop Loving You
A5. Gloomy Sunday
A6. Fallen Angel
B1. Where Or When
B2. I'm A Fool To Want You
B3. Moscow Nights
B4. Porgy, I's Your Woman Now
B5. When I Fall In Love
B6. Goin' Home

Credits:
Lincoln Mayorga - Arranged By
Ken Kim - Art Direction
Dick Brandt - Bass
David Filerman - Cello
Howard Colf - Cello
Naoum Benditzky - Cello
John Neufeld - Clarinet
Earl Palmer - Drums (A1)
Milt Holland - Drums (A2 to B6)
Armin Steiner - Engineer [Recording Engineer]
Ray Pohlman - Guitar
Bill Pereira - Liner Notes
Sid Avery - Photography By
Lincoln Mayorga - Piano, Organ
Ed Cobb - Producer
Ambrose Russo - Violin
Benny Gill - Violin
Bob Levine (4) - Violin
Howard Colf - Violin
John Santulis - Violin
Lou Klass - Violin

Notes:
An A.C.M. Production
Recorded March, 1962 in Hollywood, California.

Mono Edition:
DL 108 MONOPHONIC printed at lower left corner of front cover
DL-108 catalog number on spine
EL-108 catalog number on label

Artist: Ketty Lester

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: ERA Records

Catalog Number: DL 108

Release Year: 1962

Country: United States

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+, light paper scuffs)

Sleeve Condition: Very Good (NM)

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