Personnel: Anita O'Day (vocals); Danny Perri, Dave Barbour, George Barnes, Tony Rizzi (guitar); Benny Lagasse (clarinet, alto saxophone); Heine Beau, Paul Ricci, Alvy West, Manny Gershman, Toots Mondello, Benny Carter (alto saxophone); Bob Dukoff, Hank Ross, Herbie Haymer, Art Drellinger (tenor saxophone); Chris Griffin , Carl Poole, Red Solomon, Jon Carroll , Larry Neal, Ray Linn, Jimmy Maxwell (trumpet); Al Philburn, Phil Giardina, Ray Sims, Bill Pritchard (trombone); Milt Raskin, Paul Jordan, Ralph Burns (piano); Don Lamond, Abbey Brown, Frank Rullo, Milt Holland, Morey Feld, Zutty Singleton (drums).

Recording information: Chicago, IL (01/18/1945-01/05/1950); Los Angeles, CA (01/18/1945-01/05/1950); New York, NY (01/18/1945-01/05/1950).

Director: Lowell Martin.

Arrangers: Alvy West; Anita O'Day; Ralph Burns; Sy Oliver; Benny Carter .

The Classics volume on Anita O'Day covering 1945 through 1950 takes her through the first five years of her solo career -- after her breakout with Gene Krupa (and "Let Me Off Uptown"), but before the immense success of her Verve years. The only hit present is the bright novelty "Hi Ho Trailus Boot Whip," but fortunately O'Day didn't record many castoffs then; instead, par for the course during the late '40s was her bluesy romp version of "What Is This Thing Called Love?," another Cole Porter tune recorded at the same session. Her sweetly swinging versions of "Them There Eyes" and "I Told Ya I Love You, Now Get Out" are excellent, and the backing includes high-caliber musicians Benny Carter, Dave Barbour, and pianist/arranger Ralph Burns. ~ John Bush