Sheila Jordan – Portrait of Sheila
Portrait of Sheila is the 1963 debut album of American jazz singer Sheila Jordan, released by Blue Note Records. In the 1963 Down Beat magazine Critics Poll, she was ranked first in the vocal category for “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition”. She did not record again as a leader for more than a dozen years.
Reception
AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 5 stars and stated:”Sheila Jordan’s debut recording was one of the very few vocal records made for Blue Note during Alfred Lion’s reign. Accompanied by the subtle guitarist Barry Galbraith, bassist Steve Swallow, and drummer Denzil Best, Jordan sounds quite distinctive, cool-toned, and adventurous during her classic date. Her interpretations of Oscar Brown, Jr.’s “Hum Drum Blues” and 11 standards (including “Falling in Love With Love,” “Dat Dere,” “Baltimore Oriole,” and “I’m a Fool to Want You”) are both swinging and haunting. Possibly because of her originality, Sheila Jordan would not record again for over a dozen years, making this highly recommended set quite historic.”
Personnel: Sheila Jordan – voice Barry Galbraith – guitar Steve Swallow – bass Denzil Best – drums
