Better Than Anything Explained

Better Than Anything
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Irene Kral with the Junior Mance Trio
Cover:	Better Than Anything.jpg
Released:	1963
Recorded:	June 17 & 18, 1963 World Pacific Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Genre:	Vocal jazz
Length:	29:24
Label:	Äva A/AS 33
Producer:	Joe Burnett
Chronology:	Irene Kral
Prev Title:	SteveIreneo!
Prev Year:	1959
Next Title:	Wonderful Life
Next Year:	1965

Better Than Anything is an album by vocalist Irene Kral performing with Junior Mance's Trio that was recorded in 1963 and originally released on the Äva label.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "Kral is quite recognizable, although not singing with quite the emotional intensity that she would display during her final three albums (which are all classics) ... Kral was already a delightful singer."

Track listing

1. "Better Than Anything" (David "Buck" Wheat, Bill Loughborough) – 2:21
2. "The Touch of Your Lips" (Ray Noble) – 2:22
3. "The Meaning of the Blues" (Bobby Troup, Leah Worth) – 3:11
4. "Rock Me to Sleep" (Benny Carter, Paul Vandervoort II) – 2:20
5. "No More" (Tutti Camarata, Bob Russell) – 3:10
6. "Passing By" (Laurent Hess, Charles Trenet, Jack Lawrence) – 1:54
7. "It's a Wonderful World" (Jan Savitt, Harold Adamson, Johnny Watson) – 2:34
8. "This Is Always" (Mack Gordon, Harry Warren) – 3:23
9. "Just Friends" (John Klenner, Sam M. Lewis) – 2:40
10. "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry" (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) – 3:35
11. "Nobody Else But Me" (Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II) – 1:54

Personnel

• Irene Kral – vocals
• Junior Mance – piano
• Bob Cranshaw – bass
• Mickey Roker – drums

Cover Versions

• Claire Martin recorded a cover on the album "The Waiting Game" (1992).

Notes and References

1. http://www.danacountryman.com/irene/disco/disco.html Irene Kral discography
2. http://www.bsnpubs.com/mgm/ava.html Ava Album Discography
3. Fitzgerald, M., Irene Kral Leader Entry, accessed November 16, 2016