SUE BARKER Crest International LP VERY RARE Australian Jazz/Funk/Soul 1977

	A$		203
	$		134

This was Sue Barker's only release, and because of it's rarity, it's in GREAT DEMAND!  Finding this record isn’t easy, but here it is - you've found it! "I must say that my first thought on sighting this album was — 'who's equipped to do a set of songs ranging in style from Duke Ellington and Billie Holliday through to Marvin Gaye and James Taylor?'  • Well, the girl with the 'equipment' is certainly Sue Barker of Adelaide (Australia's perennial producers of top Australian musical talent). Her enthusiasm and enjoyment are evident, and contagious, right through this collection of songs of today, yesterday and a few yesterdays before that.  • Actually this is more than just a vocal record — there's lots of space for instrumental solos and Sue's compatibility with her musicians is a most important element in the album's success. Grahame Conlon's arrangements are simple and uncluttered, leaving Sue's voice to slot in like another instrumental part. I confess I've been trying to avoid describing Ms. Barker as a 'jazz singer' because, through the years, I've upset lots of vocalists by giving them that tag. I think they've been fearful of being 'typecast' and having their commercial appeal injured.  • But if 'jazz singer' means using time, harmony and phrasing like an improvising jazz instrumentalist, then Sue Barker is it! And so was Frank Sinatra who for many years was voted top jazz singer by readers of Downbeat magazine. Alright Adelaide, you've been selfishly sheltering and savouring Sue Barker and her musicians for far too long. Now the time has come for the rest of Australia to enjoy her talents.  • Verdict: How sweet it is. Just right for Groovin on a Sunday afternoon — and that's my favorite time of the week!" ~ Ralph Rickman ABC Radio
Side One: A1. How Sweet It Is 04:03  A2. You Stepped Out Of A Dream 03:16  A3. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me 04:12  A4. Love To The People 04:31  A5. Groovin' 03:09 Side Two: B1. I Heard It Through The Grapevine 03:37  B2. 6345789 03:38  B3. Lover Man 05:13  B4. What's Going On 04:06  B5. Think 02:32
Arrangements: Grahame Conlon  Recorded: Pepper Studios, Adelaide. S.A. Audio: Colin Freeman Cover Photography: Doug Nicholas Cover Design: Returb Studios, Melbourne Record and Cover Copyright Productions of Sound and Film Australia Pty. Ltd.
Musicians: Bass - Geoff Kluke  Drums - Dean Birbeck  Guitar - Grahame Conlon  Keyboards - Phil Cunneen  Saxophone - Rob Jeffries, Sylvan Elkay  Trumpet - Fred Payne  Vocals - Sue Barker 
Please Note: Plastic coating on the cover was crazed and cracked and this occurred on all copies when this album was released. It has fallen off the front but the appearance is quite OK. On the back the plastic coating has partly fallen off. The cover notes are quite legible but the condition is not as good as the front. However, as they say "It's the disc inside that plays the music".