Anita O'day - Live In Tokyo '63 (2019)

In 1963, Anita O'Day was still under contract to Verve when she recorded this album for a Japanese television special. Rare in O'Day's catalog (she has very few live records between the '40s and '70s), it's an excellent chance to hear one of the most breath-taking, free-swinging jazz vocalists appearing in a setting even more loose than her great Verve dates. The results, though, aren't quite perfection -- yes, O'Day is in great voice (despite a little grit to her vocals), while the songs and arrangements are great too, but there's no response from the audience available on this recording (even when she's egging them on). Songs cut off and the sound quality isn't up to par for the digital age. A little more attention to detail by the compilers would have made this a great performance, instead of one that's recommended only for those who can't get enough Anita O'Day.