Growing up on the South Side of Chicago with Sam Cooke (who was three years his elder) and the Staple Sisters, vocalist, songwriter and actor Lou Rawls began singing in the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church choir at the tender age of seven and began his career in local gospel groups. Adept not just in gospel, but also soul, R&B and pop, it was jazz's loss that he didn't record more in the genre. Recorded over two sessions in February 1962 and originally issued on Capitol, Stormy Monday merits inclusion in any vocal jazz fan's collection. Featuring a terrific selection of handpicked blues and jazz standards including the T-Bone Walker title track and ‘In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down)’, popularised by Big Bill Broonzy, and backed by Les McCann's top-flight trio, Rawls' deluxe, mellifluous baritone takes spectacular flight. A hugely welcome bonus sees the album paired with Les McCann Sings, which includes glowing readings of ‘But Not For Me’ and ‘Please Send Me Someone To Love’ with orchestral charts arranged and conducted by the late, great Gerald Wilson. Also originally released on Capitol, Black and Blue similarly finds Rawls in scintillating form in the company of a swinging big band, with barnstorming arrangements by pianist and MD, Onzy Matthews. Once again mixing blues (‘St. James Infirmary’, ‘Kansas City’) and compelling readings of ‘Gloomy Sunday’, ‘Strange Fruit’ and more, the timbral richness and array of emotions Rawls draws on leave an indelible impression. Bonus tracks feature 15 pop singles recorded by Rawls between 1959 and 1962.