Dame Cleo Laine

Dame Cleo "On A Clear Day"

Cleo's a classic example why fans may want to hang onto their lps and CDs.

At a quick glance, out of approximately 16 albums released circa 1970s-80s in the US on RCA... only 3 are currently streaming on Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

Many of her best recordings never made it out of vinyl format. During the 70s she was signed to RCA Records in the U.S. Her late husband, Sir John Dankworth, a renowned jazz musician produced much of her 70s output as the record label was desperate to put her in a 'contemporary' setting. She had been singing early 20th Century jazz and Shakespeare.

Dankworth came up with some gorgeous, often trippy, arrangements that merged classical, jazz, pop and soul -- and Dame Cleo really let loose over his arrangements. Here is "All In Love Is Fair." I cannot find "We Could Be Flying" on Youtube.

Not om your list, but my favorites is the theme from Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love). Sublime.. I saw her live several times in the 70s and she was a terrific entertainer in person.

Yes, r2, the Carnegie Hall concert that introduced her to American gays is not available. I wonder why.

Dame Cleo and Sir John played at the annual jazz festival in Marina Del Rey, a beach community in LA, for years and years. Until just a few years before he passed. Their oldest son lives in California, so they visited often. I saw her in concert in LA several times. She is a wonderful performer.

Her Sondheim album is phenomenal. It’s what originally made me a fan.

When she and her hubby played at a jazz club in NYC, I ran to see her. She was old but the voice was still in stunning shape. One of the great concerts I’ve attended

She was a regular fixture on TV in the UK in the 70s and 80s, and my father never missed anything she was appearing in. He absolutely loved her.

Drood...

A favorite...

I wanted to link to "I am a song" because she is and it is absolutely my favorite. Unfortunately it is not available on Youtube, so this will have to do.

Black don't crack..