Turn On That Red Hot Heat

Most of singer Teddy Grace's finest recordings are on her Timeless CD. Her Hep disc, which only duplicates one selection ("I'll Never Let You Cry"), primarily focuses on Grace's recordings with the Mal Hallett and Bob Crosby Orchestras. In fact, all except one of her performances from those two associations are included on this release. Although Hallett's band was minor-league, he had a strong trumpet section, along with future star pianist Frankie Carle. The Crosby numbers are less interesting than the Bobcats' usual instrumentals, and, truth be told, some of the lesser selections on this set are only of interest for Grace's sincere delivery and sense of swing. However, completists will want this CD, which also includes her one number ("Red Wagon") with Lou Holden's band and the four songs that resulted from the singer's first session as a leader.