Tina Louise - It's Time For Tina ( P & S / Fresh Sound)

Believe it or else, but the former Miss Tina Blacker and the future "option" for regressive drunkards -- as in the bar game WOWY, or "Which one would you?" -- actually studied at Strasberg's Actor's Studio in the 1950's. And what you will hear on this, her lone long-playing record, is something like Method balladeering. The torchy Louise can carry a tune, and not as if she's hauling coconuts or buckets of lagoon water. (On a related note: a close inspection of the original cover for this LP reveals that the come-hither photo of the actress has been modified. Where she was no doubt wearing only a bikini top in the source shot, an artist has painted her torso so that it looks as if she is wearing evening attire. Reminiscent of the necktie painted over Blind Lemon Jefferson's collarless farm-boy shirt in the only known image of the bluesman... The 1998 Oglio reissue of It's Time For Tina uses a 1960's vintage close-up of Ms. Louis, ruining half of the record's effect.)

In fact, Louise's breathy, sub-sub-Marilyn Monroe vocal stylings lace together to form a unique enthrallment. She is never far from panting over orchestra leader Buddy Weed's raunchy yet gossamer arrangements, but who ever thought panting could be so expressive of a whole range of, if not emotions, then at least levels of desire. Singing like this was supposed to be winkingly exhibitionistic for its time, I guess, but 50 years later, the pleading boudoir mannerisms leave the listener feeling much like a peeping tom. Music heard from the other side of a fogged-up car window, or through a key-hole. The music is coming from a place where one is not supposed to be.

Quite apart from Louise's performance, there are guest appearances on this record by Tyree Glenn (trombone, no vibes), Hilton Jefferson, and Coleman Hawkins. Jefferson's obbligatos in particular are stunning; why one of the most accomplished alto saxophonists in jazz made so few recordings after his star turn with the Calloway orchestra remains a rather sad mystery. But while Glenn and even the majestic Hawkins are still knocking on the bedroom door, Jefferson is draining another bottle of champagne and contemplating the nape of his lady's neck as if it were moonlight itself.

~ Joe Milazzo