Morgana King - Gemini Changes (1967)

The album title might be a tip-off that this record is going to be a bit hokey-dopey, but when Morgana King asks "What's Wrong With Me?," the obvious answer is going to be: "You've changed arrangers!" She is matched with Don Costa for this 1967 album, following two albums in which Torrie Zito had created and conducted arrangements. It is not an example of trading up, although there are examples of better work than this by Costa. The album is about as subtle as an aircraft carrier, and sometimes things really are outright ludicrous. "Softly Say Goodbye," for example, is not a song that needs a big band and string section playing loud enough to be heard on the other side of a bay, unless someone is creating a satire. There is nothing satirical about King, however. She is downright serious and emotive on every number, which combines with the old-school arrangements for a sort of Vera Lynn effect. Nothing wrong with that, but it will be a letdown for listeners who enjoyed the exotic, groovy, and swinging vibe of earlier King Reprise albums. Bossa, samba, and the related world of Burt Bacharach come off best here, although once again the clever touches of Zito are sorely missed. "The Look of Love" pays the cost of Costa's hammy conducting, but "Walk on By" is just right. "Sunny" is an unexpected delight, maybe because Costa must have realized he couldn't out-schlock the hit single by Bobby Hebb. Instead, King is given a chance to use her ultra-relaxed and in-control phrasing to give the song a whole new feel. Some listeners may not even get past the first song, however, a monstrosity entitled "I Have Loved Me a Man." This is a good example of a song that gives off the scent of the wretched from its title alone. After ignoring the singer's cozy feel for swing for the entire album, "On the South Side of Chicago" comes off as a strained finale; Costa should have thought of this sooner, although it would have been a lot better if he hadn't shown up at all. ~Eugene Chadbourne