The Classic Della is the ninth studio album by American singer Della Reese, released by RCA Victor in January, 1962. The LP consisted of 12 tracks, all of which were vocal adaptations of classical pieces by composers including Tchaikovsky and Schubert. The album received mostly positive reviews following its release. The Classic Della made the US Billboard 200 chart and included Reese's most commercially successful single release: "Don't You Know?".
Later known for an acting career that included starring in the TV series, Touched by an Angel, Della Reese first forged a career as a singer of blues, jazz, and pop. Her first major music success was with the 1957 million-selling single, "And That Reminds Me". It led to a contract with RCA Victor, where Reese had her greatest success as a singer with 1959's "Don't You Know?". The song was adapted from "Musetta's Waltz", which derived from the opera, La Bohème.[1] "Don't You Know" served as the inspiration for The Classic Della, with the idea of having Reese record classical instrumentals into vocal pieces.[3]
Recording and content
The Classic Della was cut in recording sessions held at RCA Studio A, located in New York City. It was produced by the recording team Hugo & Luigi and featured classical arrangements by Glenn Osser.[3] The Hugo & Luigi pair produced Reese's previous four studio albums for RCA Victor.[1]The Classic Della was a collection of 12 tracks, all of which were adapted from classical music pieces.[2] Included were pieces by Tchaikovsky ("Symphony No. 6," "Melodie Op. 42"), Debussy ("Reverie"), Schubert ("Serenade"), Chopin ("Etude in E, Op. 10 No. 3," "Polonaise No. 6 Op. 53").[2] The liner notes gave credit to all of the original composers and included the titles of the pieces they originated from.[3]
The Classic Della was released by the RCA Victor label in January 1962[4] and was Reese's ninth studio album (her fourth for RCA). The album was offered as a vinyl LP (distributed in mono and stereo formats) with six tracks on each side of the disc.[3] The album received mostly positive responses from critics. Cash Box magazine wrote, "Della Reese demonstrates her stature as a major artist in this Victor offering which showcases her talents singing modem adaptations of the works of Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Debussy and others."[5] Charles Schreiber of The Montreal Gazette newspaper praised Reese's performances and called the Glenn Osser arrangements "outstanding".[6] Walt Friedwald, author of the book A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers, called it "a fairly dispensable album" when describing her RCA discography.[1] John Bush of AllMusic gave it a four out of five star rating, writing, "Fortunately, Della Reese's voice -- as strong, controlled, and pitch-perfect as it had proven in the past -- is up to the challenge of such heavy material."[2]
Chart performance and singles
The Classic Della rose to the number 94 position on the US Billboard 200 albums chart in early 1962. It was Reese's third album to make the chart (only one more LP would reach the Billboard 20 in 1966). It was Reese's second highest-charting LP on the Billboard 200, preceded by Della, which rose into the top 40.[7] The album was preceded by the single, "Don't You Know", which RCA Victor first issued in August 1959.[8] The single rose to number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the BillboardR&B songs chart that year.[9][10]The Classic Della later spawned "Gone" as a single in November 1961.[11]
↑ Whitburn, Joel (2006). The Billboard Albums Includes Every Album that Made the Billboard 200 Chart: 50 Year History of the Rock Era. Record Research, Inc. ISBN978-0898201666.
↑ Reese, Della (August 1959). ""Don't You Know?"/"Soldier, Won't You Marry Me?" (7" vinyl single)". RCA Victor. 61-7591.
↑ Whitburn, Joel (2003). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002. Record Research Inc. ISBN978-0898201550.
↑ Whitburn, Joel (2010). Joel Whitburn presents top R & B/Hip-Hop singles, 1942-2004. Record Research Inc. ISBN978-0898201604.
↑ Reese, Della (November 1961). ""Gone"/"What Do You Think, Joe?" (7" vinyl single)". RCA Victor. 47-7961.
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