The first, arranged by Nelson Riddle and conducted by Frank Sinatra (an interesting combination that works well) was recorded in 1957. An earlier reviewer suggests that Peggy was then just an up-and-coming singer, but all true Peggy fans know that she began her career with Benny Goodman in 1941 and went on to become a major solo singer of the late forties and early fifties, so she was firmly established by 1957.

That 1957 album opens with The man I love, written by George and Ira Gershwin and is filled with songs from the Great American Songbook, some of them obscure, but including That's all and Something wonderful. It closes with a song that is always identified with Peggy - The folks who live on the hill.

The second album was recorded in 1961 and was arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones - yes, the same man who produced many of Lesley Gore's records including It's my party, and achieved worldwide fame as producer of Michael Jackson's Thriller, among many other things.

This is another collection of songs from the Great American Songbook, the most famous being As time goes by, I get along without you very well and Smile.

Just a warning - don't play this if you're tired - you might fall asleep !!! At no stage does the tempo rise very much - every song here was selected to showcase Peggy's sexy, seductive voice at it's most romantic. There are some albums on which Peggy likes to swing a bit, but you won't find any of that here. Try Pass me by/Big spender if you want something more upbeat.

Get in a romantic mood - buy this.

...can be found here, presented by the timeless Miss Peggy Lee, with exquisite orchestrations handled by some of the biggest names in the business. This coupling of 2 LPs on one great CD from the good people at EMI is one of the most beguiling of all such releases, and there hasn't been a bad one in the bunch to date. First of all, THE MAN I LOVE was arranged by the dean of ALL arrangers and conductors, Nelson Riddle, a man who may have arguably gave Sinatra the swing he needed to save his career when he checked into Capitol Records, an allegiance that would burst onto the scene in the early 50's and last some 20+ years thereafter. Speaking of Frank, and his connection with Riddle, it was Ol' Blue Eyes himself who conducted Nelson's great charts for Peggy on these sides. So a recap: Capitol's greatest arranger writes charts for one of its up - and - coming (at that time) lovely ladies, to be conducted by who would soon become the world's favorite saloon singer. Now that's what I call an inspired project! You can hear the results ring clear on sparkling charts like the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic "Something Wonderful", or Jerome Kern's evergreen ode to "happily-ever-after-ing", "The Folks Who Live On The Hill".
As for the title track, "The Man I Love". I've heard Nelson Riddle arrangements of "The Man I Love" for Ella Fitzgerald, Keely Smith, and now Peggy. Each one different in its own way, as if written for the first time. Was this man incapable of writing a bad note at ANY point in his life? I DOUBT IT!
The connections involved on these sides alone make this a must have. But "IF YOU GO" is equally as loaded with talent in the arranging department. A young man by the name of Quincy Jones, who's done everything short of play every instrument in an orchestra SIMULTANEOUSLY while conducting himself in the music business (although I bet he could if he tried) Quincy was relatively a newcomer still around this time, having done an apprenticeship with Basie's band with tremendous success. His arrangements here range from witty to poignant; even Latin-based (a sound that was soon to be sweeping the nation) The title track, "If You Go" is one such song that gets the latin sound to back it and further break your heart. Peggy's breathy, slow and warm vocals are more distinct here, ("The Man I Love" was recorded in '57, these sides were recorded in '61) I can almost hear a touch of Billie Holiday in some of the sides (I'll Be Tired Of You) on the "MAN I LOVE" sides, but Peggy really comes into her own on th "IF YOU GO" sides. "I'm Gonna Laugh You Out Of My Life" is a song of note; it was written by Cy Coleman and Joe McCarthy. Peggy and Cy Coleman would soon become friends and write many beautiful songs together. EMI has done it again. They have given us two wonderful albums on one spectacular CD. Torch songs never sounded better!

In this current world of ordinary singers, Peggy Lee still stands out as a true blessing to the popular song. NOBODY interprets a lyric with such class, technical skill and subtle emotion. If there was a national school for singers, this album, along with EVERY Peggy Lee album, would be required study. She remains as one, if not the ONLY one, who defines popular music.

What a great package! Two of Peggy Lee's finest albums. The well known ballads--"As Time Goes By", "The Folks Who Live On The Hill", "Smile", "I Wish I Didn't Love You So", etc. make up an incredibly fine selection. "The Man I Love" album conducted by Frank Sinatra, and "If You Go" conducted by Quincy Jones are sterling examples of musicianship at its best and sung exquisitely by one of the greatest singers of 20th century popular music. To paraphrase--in this world of ordinary singers,I'm glad there is Miss Peggy Lee. Definitely one of a kind! This collection is a must for any true music lover!