CD Tracks
| Track 1: Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) 4:26 Track 2: Sentimental Journey 2:55 Track 3: I May Be Wrong 4:07 Track 4: Secret Love 4:30 Track 5: Everybody Loves A Lover 3:11 Track 6: It's Magic 3:40 Track 7: Put 'em In A Box, Tie 'em With A Ribbon 2:16 Track 8: My Dreams Is Yours 4:06 Track 9: Lullaby Of Broadway 3:55 Track 10: I'll Never Stop Loving You 4:11 Track 11: Shanghai 2:30 Track 12: With A Song In My Heart 3:52 Track 13: Love Me Or Leave Me 2:36 Track 14: Heart's Desire 5:12
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This is Sue Raney's fiftieth anniversary album, and in it she smiles at the woman who helped inspire her to sing in the first place. Back in 1957, when Capitol Records made the teenage Sue its newest Cinderella, her idol Doris Day was America's favorite singing sweetheart of film. That year Day tugged hearts in the movie version of The Pajama Game; she also released an Lp, Day by Day, that found its way into a half-million homes. "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" had come out the year before; it marked Day as the queen of cheery, matter-of-fact optimism. But her sunny facade couldn't hide a well of deeper feelings. Day gave every phrase its heartfelt due, while singing as sincerely and directly as though she were looking into your eyes.
The same qualities are Sue Raney's hallmarks. She had them even on that first Capitol album, When Your Lover Has Gone, which Nelson Riddle conducted. Singing such little-girl-lost ballads as "Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair?," she sounded mature beyond her years, and phrased impeccably. How had the former Raelene Claire Claussen of Wichita, Kansas learned to do that at seventeen? Obviously Day's example had served her well. But Sue sounded like no one but herself, with her butterscotch tone, floating high notes, and relaxed jazz feeling.
She went on, to make a string of albums: two more for Capitol, then onto Phillips, Liberty, Discovery, and now Fresh Sound. Variety-show hosts--Dean Martin, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Hugh Hefner, Johnny Carson --loved her. She recorded jingles, sang in the '80s with Supersax and L.A. Voices, then toured with Michel Legrand. But seldom, if ever, has she sounded lovelier than she does on Heart's Desire, her first CD in a decade. In recent years Sue has spent much of her time coaching singers in the San Fernando Valley home that she shares with her husband Carmen Fanzone -- a major-league baseball player in the '70s and a fine jazz trumpeter ever since. You'll hear him on fluegelhorn in this CD.
Most of the titles come from Day's years at Warner Brothers, the home of her best musicals. (The grand exception is M-G-M's Love Me or Leave Me, in which she played Ruth Etting, the 1920s singing star and gun moll.) Day's movies at Warner were full of bright hopes and happy endings, mirrored in songs like "My Dream Is Yours," "It's Magic," and "With a Song in My Heart." Sue captures their idealism as touchingly as if she were still seventeen.
Her partner on this CD is Alan Broadbent, the New Zealand-born, California-based, two-time Grammy-winning pianist and arranger. Broadbent can evoke the mellow big-band swing of Day's early years with Les Brown, or make "It's Magic" sound like a sugar-plum paradise. In "Que Sera, Sera," he and Sue take a bouncy children's song and turn it into a slowly swirling cloud of memories.
Sue has a lot of wisdom to show for those fifty years on record, and as this beautiful album proves, she's still in her prime.
- James Gavin, New York City, 2007
James Gavin, the author of Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker, is writing a biography of Lena Horne.
Liner Notes by Sue Raney
I grew up idolizing the talents of Doris Day. She sang beautifully, and her ability as an actress moved me, as well. She could make me cry in any emotional scene she played ... or leave me feeling happy when she did the light hearted movies she made. She was so pretty, so stylish, and a glow came from within her that gathered people from all over the world to love and adore the qualities that made her so special. I was one of those many devoted fans who just loved everything she did.
When I was asked to do another CD for Fresh Sound, my first desire was to do a tribute to Doris Day. I only wanted Alan Broadbent to play piano, arrange and conduct. I had worked with him before, but never had the opportunity to do an orchestra project together. I love his, and Dave Frishberg's wonderful song, "Hearts Desire," and knew that it was the perfect title song. The lyrics sum up the reasons that one of my heart's desires was to sing a tribute to Doris Day.
Then, my new friend, Marlene Hankes, entered our lives. I share the letter she wrote to me on the CD liner notes. Our first meeting was in Dallas, Texas, last year. I was appearing with the Dallas Symphony. We instantly became friends, and it's because of her love, support, and devotion, that my heart's desire became a reality ... a wonderful orchestra ... conducted and arranged by Alan Broadbent.
I thank Jordi Pujol, the CEO of Fresh Sound Records, for his ongoing support and friendship. All the brilliant musicians, plus Alan, for the magnificent musical experience in studio A at Capitol Records ... where 50 years before, at 17, I had recorded my first album with Nelson Riddle.
I thank my precious husband, Carmen, who not only played so lovely on 2 of the tracks, but pulled it all together as production supervisor and supported all of us each step of the way. My thanks to Andy Waterman and his assistant, Ethan WaIter of Umbrella Media, Inc., whose producing and engineering skills, were and are, the very best I could have asked for. I had always wanted to do a project with Andy, and I couldn't have been more blessed.
My wish is that Doris Day will find her lovely songs, and our tribute to her everlasting legacy ... inspiring and heartfelt ... for she has given so much to me ... as an artist, and to the world. Lastly, my gratitude, to my Lord, for bringing all of these wonderful people into my life, and for giving me this opportunity to fulfill my Heart's Desire. -Sue Raney
Dedicated to Marlene and Wilbur Hankes and in memory of my mother, Mildred
The letter from Marlene Hankes, Aug. 24, 2005
Dear Sue,
Writing you this letter fills me with such mixed emotions and memories. Recalling the many hours and days I would spend playing your CD's and hearing your beautiful singing with my husband, Hank. We were married 53 years ago. I was a United stewardess in 1952. Hank boarded my flight, and 3 months later, we were married. It was truly love at first sight, and our marriage was a loving one, filled with adventure, travel and fun, right up to the end.
On Dec., 2002, during Christmas, Hank suffered 2 strokes, leaving him bedridden. Before he had his strokes, he ordered the Time Life Jazz collection of various artists. One day, a CD came in the mail, called "Jazz For The Night," with Ella, Sarah and various artists ... but one song "Here's That Rainy Day" by Sue Raney was so wonderful I could hardly wait to play it for Hank at the nursing home. From that day on, I could not play another CD for him. The last 3 months of his life, we played your song over and over ... that's all he wanted to hear.
Hank left this world hearing Sue Raney sing. A lady he never met, but fell in love with her voice.
I want to be your friend always, and one day I'll meet you and give you a hug from Hank.
- Marlene Hankes
Note: Hank was a pioneer in aeronautical research and development. He invented the Heads Up Display (HUD), which he conceived while serving as a young naval officer on an aircraft carrier during World War II. The patented device projects cockpit instruments out to infinity, at eye level, on airplanes, as well as many other military and commercial uses (i.e. the NASA space shuttle return).
Personnel
Vocals
Sue Raney
Piano, Conductor and Arranger
Alan Broadbent
Bass
Chuck Berghofer
Drums
Joe LaBarbera (all except #1, 3 & 4)
Clayton Cameron (#3 & 4)
Alto Sax, Flute
Gary Foster (all except #1, 3 & 4)
Lanny Morgan (#2,5,7,9,11 & 13)
Tenor Sax, Clarinet
Terry Harrington (all except #1,3 & 4)
Bob Sheppard (#2, 5, 7, 9, 11 & 13)
Baritone, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon
John Mitchell (all except #1, 3 & 4)
Flute
Jim Walker (#6, 8,10,12 & 14)
Oboe
Earl Dumler (#6, 8, 10, 12 & 14)
Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Charlie Davis, Carl Saunders and Larry McGuire (#2, 5, 7, 9,11 & 13)
Flugelhorn
Carmen Fanzone (#4 & 12)
Trombone
Andy Martin, Bruce Otto and Charlie Morillas (#2, 5, 7, 9,11 & 13)
French Horn
Rick Todd and Suzette Moriarty (#6, 8, 10, 12 & 14)
Violin
Charlie Bisharat (concertmaster)
Kevin Connolly, Julian Hallmark, Joe Ketendjian, Mike Markman, Horia Moroaica, Michele Richards, Norm Hughes, Christine Wu, John Wittenberg,
and Julie Rogers (#1.3.4.6.8.10.12 & 14}
Armen Garabedian, Sara Parkins and Joel Pargman (#6.8.10.12 & 14)
Cameron Patrick, Josefina Vergara. and Roger Wilkie (#1. 3 & 4)
Viola
Nancy Roth, Harry Shirinian and Jorge Moraga 1#1.3.4.6.8, 10, 12 & 14}
Danny Seidenberg (#6.8. 10. 12 & 14}
Andrew Duckles (#1. 3 & 4)
Cello
Larry Corbett, Cameron Stone and Miguel Martinez (#1.3.4.6.8.10,12 & 14}
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith (#6.8. 10. 12 & 14}
Armen Ksajikian (#1. 3 & 4)
Harp
Lou Ann Neill (#1. 3. 4 & 6)
Recorded at Capitol Studio A
Hollywood, California, November 21, 22 & 25, 2006.
Producer: Carmen Fanzone
Recording Engineer: Andy Waterman
Photography: Alan Mercer
Produced for CD release: Jordi Pujol.
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