Chris Connor discographyStudio albums 37 Live albums 2 Compilation albums 6 Singles 24 Other contributions 22
This is the discography of singer Chris Connor . Connor recorded approximately 42 albums and several singles between the years 1949 to 2003. This discography lists all known first-release EPs , LPs and CDs released by the singer, and includes some live recordings released on CD containing her 1950s radio performances.
Early studio recordings (1949–1953) [ edit ] Chris Connor moved to New York in 1949 and secured a job as a big band singer, working with Claude Thornhill and his vocal group The Snowflakes. Connor toured with Thornhill off and on until 1952, when she joined the Jerry Wald Orchestra. After a brief period with Wald, she landed her dream job as a replacement for June Christy in Stan Kenton 's orchestra. Including an alternate recording of All About Ronnie , Chris Connor only recorded 8 songs in the Capitol Records studio with Kenton's band. After non-stop touring in the United States and performing live on radio, she left the Kenton band in late 1953 to establish herself as a solo performer.
Early live recordings (selected) (1952–1953) [ edit ] Recorded Location Album title Orchestra Label Format Catalogue No. Issued # of Connor Songs Titles 10/1952 Statler Hotel, NYC The Great Ladies on V-Disc, Vol. 3 Claude Thornhill Dan Records (Japan) LP VC-5016 1979 4 Come Rain or Come Shine Sorta Kinda Wish You Were Here Who Are We to Say Tokuma Records (Japan) CD TKCF-77076 2001 4 CD version contains the same tracks as listed on above LP. 2/19/1953 National Guard Armory, Eugene, OR Stan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 1) Stan Kenton Magic/Submarine (England) CD 796 2009 5 Jeepers Creepers If I Should Lose You September in the Rain I'll Remember April Taking a Chance on Love Stan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 2) Stan Kenton Magic/Submarine (England) CD 799 2009 4 Don't Worry About Me Tenderly There Will Never Be Another You Lullaby In Rhythm Stan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 3) Stan Kenton Magic/Submarine (England) CD 802 2010 5 Jeepers Creepers Darn That Dream You're Mine You I Only Have Eyes For You Everything Happens To Me 3/17/53 Trianon Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK Stan Kenton: Concert In Miniature (Episodes 38 & 39) Stan Kenton Vintage Radio Classics CD 54365 2007 1 3/27/53-4/9/53 Blue Note, Chicago, IL Stan Kenton: Concert Encores (Episodes 9 & 10) Stan Kenton Vintage Radio Classics CD 54465 2007 2 Don't Worry About Me I'll Remember April In True '52 Stereo: Direct from the Famous Blue Note Jazz Club Stan Kenton Dynaflow CD DNYF-2007-1 2007 2 Jeepers Creepers I'll Remember April Stan Kenton: Concert Encores (Episodes 11 & 12) Stan Kenton Vintage Radio Classics CD 54466 2007 1 4/22/53-5/6/53 Birdland Club, NYC Stan Kenton: Live Birdland Encores Stan Kenton Mr. Music CD MMCD-9002 2011 2 If I Should Lose You Taking A Chance On Love Stan Kenton: The 1950s Birdland Broadcasts Stan Kenton Jazz Band (England) CD EBCD-2132-5 1998 4 Jeepers Creepers Taking A Chance On Love Love Me Or Leave Me If I Should Lose You Concert In Miniature Encores: 23 Degrees North, 82 Degrees West Stan Kenton Natasha Imports CD NI-4006 1992 2 There Will Never Be Another You I'll Remember April 5/12/53 Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD Stan Kenton: Concert in Miniature (Episodes 44 & 45) Stan Kenton Vintage Radio Classics CD 54368 2007 1
Studio albums (1954–1966) [ edit ] Bethlehem Records [ edit ] Chris Connor recorded around 38 sides for the Bethlehem Records label between December 1953 and April 1955. Connor was the first vocalist signed to the new label, and her dual 10" LPs Sings Lullabys of Birdland and Sings Lullabys For Lovers were the first albums ever released by Bethlehem. Only one full length 12" LP was released during Chris' tenure there: the album This Is Chris (in 1955). Her other two Bethlehem albums were issued in 1957 (after she left the label).
Recorded Album title Format Catalogue No. Issued 1954 Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland 10" LP BCP-1001 1954 Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers 10" LP BCP-1002 1955 This Is Chris (AKA Cocktails and Dusk ) LP BCP-20 1955 Chris (AKA The Rich Sound of Chris Connor ) LP BCP-56 1957 Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland LP BCP-6004
Bethlehem EPs & Singles [ edit ] Recorded Title Format Catalogue No. Issued 1953 Lullaby Of Birdland /Try A Little Tenderness 78 rpm BET-B1302 1954 45 rpm BET-B1302 Miser's Serenade/Blue Silhouette 78 rpm BET-1291 1954 Chiquita From Chi Wah-Wah/Ask Me 78 rpm BET-1293 1954 Try a Little Tenderness/What Is There to Say 45 rpm 11001 1954 1954 Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland (Part 1) EP BEP-101A 1954 Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland (Part 2) EP BEP-101B Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers (Part 1) EP BEP-102A Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers (Part 2) EP BEP-102B 1953 Chris (Part 1) EP BEP-114 1955 1954–1955 Chris (Part 2) EP BEP-127 1953–1955 Chris (Part 3) EP BEP-130 1955 This Is Chris (Part 1) EP BEP-126 This Is Chris (Part 2) EP BEP-129
Atlantic Albums [ edit ] Chris Connor's longest (and most successful) association with a record label was at Atlantic Records . She began recording for Atlantic in 1956 and, over the course of seven years, released thirteen critically acclaimed and best-selling albums. Fans often consider this period the peak of Connor's career, as she had complete artistic control over both the songs and the musicians with whom she would work.
During the Atlantic period, Connor worked with many well-respected musicians in the industry, including Doc Severinsen , Jerry Wexler , Quincy Jones , Hank Jones , Rufus Jones , Nesuhi Ertegun , Osie Johnson , and Ronnie Ball . She also recorded many relatively unknown compositions during this time, including those of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller , Frank Loesser , Margo Guryan , Sy Coleman, Johnny Mercer , Harold Arlen , Bronislau Kaper , Peggy Lee , Ornette Coleman , Benny Goodman , Alex North , Ogden Nash and Bart Howard .
In April, 1960, Billboard Magazine announced that Connor would be awarded a gold record for the sale of 500,000 albums for the label .
Recorded Album title Format Catalogue No. Issued Titles 1956 Chris Connor (mono) LP ATL-1228 1956 I Get a Kick Out of You Something to Live For Get Out of Town Where Are You Anything Goes When the Wind Was Green He Was Too Good to Me You Make Me Feel So Young Ev'rytime Way Out There My April Heart Almost Like Being in Love He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not LP ATL-1240/SD-1240 I Miss You So LP ATL-8014/SD-8014 1957 1957 Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song LP ATL-2-601 1956 A Jazz Date With Chris Connor LP ATL-1286/SD-1286 1958 1958 Chris Connor (stereo) LP ATL-SD-1228 Chris Craft LP ATL-1290/SD-1290 1959 Chris Connor Sings Ballads of the Sad Café LP ATL-1307/SD-1307 1959 Witchcraft LP ATL-8032/SD-8032 Chris In Person LP ATL-8040/SD-8040 1960 A Portrait of Chris LP ATL-8046/SD-8046 1960 Double Exposure (with Maynard Ferguson ) LP ATL-8049/SD-8049 1961 1961 Free Spirits LP ATL-8061/SD-8061 1962 1956–1959 The Best of Chris Connor (Japan) LP MJ-7020 1963 The Man I Love Chinatown, My Chinatown These Foolish Things Senor Blues Flying Home Anything Goes Moonlight In Vermont Come Rain Or Come Shine You Make Me Feel So Young The Lady Sings The Blues Where Flamingos Fly They Can't Take That Away From Me 1958–1960 Misty (Japan) LP P-6135A 1975 Senor Blues Misty Moon Ride I Sold My Heart To The Junkman Invitation Under Paris Skies I Heard A Bluebird Flying Home I Won't Cry Anymore Circus To Each His Own Fortune Cookies Long Hot Summer (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over 1956–1961 The Best Of Chris Connor (Japan) CD AMCY-1078 1991 All About Ronnie (1959 Recording) I Hear The Music Now Oh! You Crazy Moon I'm Gonna Go Fishin' These Foolish Things Jump for Joy Go 'Way From My Window Hallelujah I Love Him So (1958 Recording) I Won't Cry Anymore I Miss You So Bargain Day Summertime Witchcraft He Was Too Good To Me I Get A Kick Out Of You
Atlantic EPs & Singles [ edit ] Recorded Title Format Catalogue No. Issued Chart Peak 1956 Chris Connor EP ATL-577 1956 Chris Connor (I Miss You So) EP ATL-580 1957 1957 Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 1) EP ATL-593 1957 Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 2) EP ATL-594 1957 Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 3) EP ATL-595 1957 Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 4) EP ATL-596 1957 A Jazz Date With Chris Connor EP ATL-615 1958 1958 Chris Craft EP ATL-6?? 1958 1959 Pop Goes Chris In "Witchcraft" EP ATL-622 1959 Chris In Person EP ATL-623 1960 1956 Past The Age Of Innocence/Go 'Way From My Window 45 rpm ATL-1097 1956 I Miss You So/My Heart Is So Full Of You 45 rpm ATL-1105 1956 #34 Time Out For Tears/I Love You, Yes I Do 45 rpm ATL-1121 1957 Trust In Me /Mixed Emotions 45 rpm ATL-1138 1957 #95 1958 Under Paris Skies /Moon Ride 45 rpm ATL-1188 1958 Hallelujah I Love Him So /I Won't Cry Anymore 45 rpm ATL-1198 1958 1959 Flying Home /Circus 45 rpm ATL-2017 1959 Señor Blues/Misty 45 rpm ATL-2037 1959 1960 That's My Desire /I Only Want Some 45 rpm ATL-2053 1960 Invitation /I Sold My Heart To The Junkman 45 rpm ATL-2073 1960 1961 Summertime /The Lonesome Road (with Maynard Ferguson ) 45 rpm ATL-5014 1961 The Sweetest Sounds /Opportunity, Please Knock 45 rpm ATL-5017 1961
Roulette Records [ edit ] Both Chris Connor and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson previously performed with the Stan Kenton band. In 1960, Atlantic Records made a special arrangement with Roulette Records , allowing Connor to record an album with Ferguson for their label (Ferguson was under contract with Roulette at the time). As part of the deal, he also recorded Double Exposure on Atlantic Records with Connor.
FM Records [ edit ] Between 1962 and 1963, Chris Connor's manager, Monte Kay convinced her to leave Atlantic Records to join his new record company, FM Records. This turned out to be a poor choice for Connor, since she no longer had the support of a big label to promote her music. Her first release with the label, Chris Connor at the Village Gate , failed to mirror the sales success of her previous Atlantic efforts (although it was critically acclaimed). Before her second release on FM, A Weekend in Paris , was even released, the FM label declared bankruptcy in 1964.
Recorded Album title Label Format Catalogue No. Issued 1963 Chris Connor at the Village Gate, Early Show and Late Show FM Records LP FM-300/SFM-300 1963 A Weekend in Paris FM Records LP FM-312/SFM-312 1964
FM Single [ edit ] ABC Records/Paramount Records [ edit ] By the end of 1964, Connor became a free agent and secured a 2-album deal with ABC Records . While at ABC, she released an album of Bossa Nova themed songs. She also began exploring the pop market, adding to her repertoire songs from The Beatles , Steve Lawrence and songs from recent films, such as Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte , Baby the Rain Must Fall and the play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? .
Recorded Album title Label Format Catalogue No. Issued 1965 Chris Connor Sings Gentle Bossa Nova ABC-Paramount Records LP ABC-529 1965 1966 Now! ABC-Paramount Records LP ABCS-585 1966
ABC-Paramount EPS & Singles [ edit ] Recorded Title Label Format Catalogue No. Issued 1965 Chris Connor Sings Gentle Bossa Nova ABC-Paramount Records EP ABCS-529 1965 1966 Never On Sunday /The Boys from Madrid ABC-Paramount Records 45 rpm ABC-10906 1966
Studio albums (1969–2003) [ edit ] After her ABC contract expired, Chris Connor began releasing albums for various record labels, many of which were geared for the Japanese market. She was without a regular record contract until the mid-80s, when she released two albums on the Contemporary Records label in 1987. Between 1991-1995, she released 4 albums for the Japanese label Alfa Records . Six years later, she went back into the recording studio to record tracks for the U.S. HighNote Records label between 2001–2002. Her last solo album was issued in 2003.
Recorded Album title Label Format Catalogue No. Issued 1969 Softly and Swinging JVC Records (Japan) LP SMJ-7511 1969 1971 Sketches Stanyan Records LP SR-10029 1971 1976 Chris Moves CBS/Sony Records (Japan) LP 25AP-538 1977 1978 Sweet and Swinging Progressive Records LP PRO-728 1978 1978 Alone Together Lobster Records (Japan) LP LOB-LDC 1015 1979 1983 Love Being Here with You Stash Records LP ST-232 1983 1986 Classic Contemporary Records LP 5C/C-14023 1987 1987 New Again Contemporary Records LP 5C/C-14038 1987 1991 As Time Goes By Alfa Records (Japan) CD ALCR-111 1991 1991 Angel Eyes Alfa Records (Japan) CD ALCR-124 1991 1992 My Funny Valentine Alfa Records (Japan) CD ALCR-253 1993 1995 Blue Moon Alfa Records (Japan) CD ALCB-3902 1995 2001 Haunted Heart HighNote Records CD HCD-7079 2001 2002 I Walk With Music HighNote Records CD HCD-7095 2002 2002 Everything I Love HighNote Records CD HCD-7108 2003
Additional compilations and live recordings [ edit ] Recorded Location Album title Label Format Catalogue No. Issued Chris Connor Songs Titles 1954–1955 New York Bethlehem's Girlfriends Bethlehem LP BCP-6006 1956 4 It's All Right With Me All This And Heaven Too Lush Life The Thrill Is Gone 1954–1955 Nina Simone and Her Friends BCP-6041 1959 4 A Cottage For Sale Try A Little Tenderness What Is There To Say Goodbye 05/27/57 "Stars of Jazz" TV Show Sessions Live, 1957 Calliope Records LP 3030 1976 2 S'Wonderful Love Walked In S'Wonderful Blue Moon CD BMCD-3074 1998 13 Cd contains the 2 songs from the Sessions Live LP as well as the 11 songs from the Chris Connor, Live At the Village Gate: Early and Late Show album. 1959 Unknown Sound Flights Into Jazz USA Government's Air Force Recruitment Service LP Vol. 10 1959 12 Strike Up The Band All About Ronnie (incomplete) Misty Fine And Dandy (incomplete) Señor Blues Angel Eyes (incomplete) I Hear The Music Now I Miss You So (incomplete) It Don't Mean A Thing 'Round Midnight (incomplete) Blow Gabriel Blow Loverman (incomplete) I Hear The Music Now SSJ Records (Japan) CD XQAM 1058 2012 15 CD contains the 6 complete versions of the songs from the Sound Flights Into Jazz LP: Strike Up The Band Misty Señor Blues I Hear The Music Now It Don't Mean A Thing Blow Gabriel Blow 1959–1960 Manhattan Melodies US Govt Air Force Recruitment Svc LP PGM 26 1960 3 I Hear Music Just In Time Witchcraft 1960 Ed Sullivan Show The Sullivan Years: Great Ladies of Jazz TVT records CD 9450-4/2 1960 2 I Get A Kick Out Of You Come Rain or Come Shine 1960 or 1962 Sounds of Freedom Armed Forces Radio Svc LP PGM 4 1962 2 I Got A Right To Sing The Blues God Bless The Child 1959 or 1960 Stars for Defense Armed Forces Radio Svc LP PGM ? 1962 5 Lonesome Road Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most Black Coffee Witchcraft Baltimore Oriole I Hear The Music Now SSJ Records (Japan) CD XQAM 1058 2012 15 CD contains the song God Bless The Child from the Sounds of Freedom LP as well as the 5 tracks from Stars for Defense LP. 1961 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil At the American Jazz Festival in Latin America Westwind CD 2025 1995 6 Day In - Day Out Hallelujah I Love Him So Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most I Get A Kick Out Of You From This Moment On Blow Gabriel Blow 1962 New York No Strings: An After-Theater Version Atlantic LP ATL-1383 1962 4 The Sweetest Sounds Look No Further No Strings Nobody Told Me 'The above titles were included as bonus tracks for the Japanese cd reissue of Free Spirits (AMCY-1077)
1966 Guest Star: Chris Connor USA Government's Treasury Dept LP 1024 1966 3 Goin' Out Of My Head Carnival (Black Orpheus) Nowhere Man I Hear The Music Now SSJ Records (Japan) CD XQAM 1058 2012 15 CD contains the three songs from the Guest Star: Chris Connor LP. Note the track Nowhere Man is incomplete. 1982 Avery Fischer Hall, New York Jazz Alive - Kool '82 - This Time The Ladies NPR Radio Cassette 1982 6 I Love Being Here With You Willow Weep For Me Things Are Swingin' I Miss You So I Feel A Song Coming On How High The Moon (duet with Sylvia Syms, Bill Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie and others) 1983 New York Chris Connor Live Applause Records LP APCS/APLP 1020 1983 13 I Hear The Music Now Good Morning Heartache It Might As Well Be Spring Things Are Swingin' Where Flamingos Fly All Or Nothing At All Lover Get Out Of Town All About Ronnie Any Place That I Hang My Hat Is Home Just In Time Glad To Be Unhappy Poor Little Rich Girl 1995 Lover Come Back to Me: Live At Sweet Basil Evidence Records (Japan) CD ECD 22110-2 1995 15 CD contains songs 1-3, 5-6, and 8-12 of the Chris Connor Live LP. The additional 5 tracks were only released on CD. I've Got You Under My Skin A Foggy Day Lover Come Back To Me Lush Life My Heart Stood Still 1983 Tokyo Three Pearls Toshiba-EMI CD EWJ-90028 1984 4 1990 London The London Connection Audiophile CD ACD-246 1993 19 recorded live at Pizza on the Park 1996 Billy Taylor's Jazz At The Kennedy Center - Guest: Chris Connor NPR Cassette 970421 1997 9 This cassette includes songs and an extended interview, as well audience questions. Summertime Blue Moon This Can't Be Love Just One Of Those Things Angel Eyes September In The Rain A Foggy Day Everytime We Say Goobye I Get A Kick Out Of You
External links [ edit ]
Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, except for compilations.
Albums Compilations Singles Related articles