Is That All There Is?

by Peggy Lee

Overview

When Peggy Lee became well-known in the 1940s, swing and jazz-influenced pop dominated the musical landscape. In the 1960s, however, it was a whole new world in popular music. The British Invasion and Motown -- not big bands -- were mainstream, and to the Baby Boomer youths of the 1960s, Lee was part of "our parents' music." But the singer had a major hit with 1969's Is That All There Is?, one of the best-selling albums of her career. While this isn't a rock album per se -- Lee's foundation was still jazz-influenced pop -- it acknowledges pop-rock tastes of the 1960s without being unfaithful to her history. Everything on this LP is a gem, and that includes a moody remake of Lee's 1940s hit "Don't Smoke in Bed" as well as classic arrangements of George Harrison's "Something," Neil Diamond's "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show," Leiber & Stoller's "I'm a Woman," and Randy Newman's "Love Story." The LP's centerpiece, however, is Newman's hit arrangement of Leiber & Stoller's title song, which was covered by P.J. Harvey in the 1990s. Influenced by German cabaret, this half-spoken, half-sung treasure is as hauntingly soulful as it is maudlin. The song's outlook is far from optimistic; essentially, it's saying that we might as well grab our moments of pleasure and enjoyment where we can find them because ultimately, life is nothing more than a meaningless series of disappointments. But there's nothing disappointing about Is That All There Is?, an LP that is most certainly among Lee's finest accomplishments. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	12/06/2013
Label:	PURE PLEASURE
UPC:	5060149620359

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Peggy Lee   Primary Artist,Vocals
George Tipton   Primary Artist
Mundell Lowe   Primary Artist,Conductor
Randy Newman   Primary Artist,Conductor
Benny Carter   Primary Artist,Conductor
Bobby Bryant   Primary Artist,Conductor
Dave Barbour & His Orchestra   Primary Artist
Mike Melvoin   Conductor

Technical Credits

Benny Carter   Arranger
Bobby Bryant   Arranger
C. Carson Parks   Composer
Gene DiNovi   Composer
Neil Diamond   Composer
Mike Melvoin   Arranger
Arthur Hamilton   Composer
Harry Warren   Composer
William George   Illustrations
Lee Gilette   Producer
Spencer Maxwell   Composer
Billy Rose   Composer
George Harrison   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Sam Coslow   Composer
Jerry Leiber   Composer,Producer
Phil Wright   Producer
Randy Newman   Arranger,Composer
Mike Stoller   Composer,Producer
Arthur Johnston   Composer
Al Jolson   Composer
Dave Cavanaugh   Producer
Dave Dreyer   Composer
Willard Robison   Composer
Mundell Lowe   Arranger