Golden Earrings – Joe Beck / Laura Theodore

 Whaling City Sound is excited to bring you this very special collection of music from the late, great guitarist Joe Beck and jazz vocalist Laura Theodore. This intimate and inspired series of duets effectively pays twin tributes. Initially conceived by Theodore as a tribute to the revered vocalist and popular music icon Peggy Lee, whose alluring, “cool” style captivated listeners through the ’40s, ’50s & ’60s, it also stands as a tribute to the late guitar great Joe Beck, who passed away on July 22, 2008 at age 62 due to complications from lung cancer.

While Theodore may have sparked the notion of interpreting tunes written by the songwriting partnership of Peggy Lee and her guitarist-husband Dave Barbour, it was Beck who came up with the intriguing arrangements and reharmonizations that underscore this winning collaboration. Their chemistry together is apparent on these 16 gems, from million-sellers like “Why Don’t You Do Right?” (Lee’s 1943 hit with Benny Goodman), “Manana (Is Soon Enough For Me)” (the most popular song of 1948) and her smash hit from 1958, “Fever,” to more obscure but no less engaging offerings like “Take A Little Time To Smile” and “My Small Senor.”

There’s an easy, organic flow to their give-and-take together. Everything is strictly in the moment with these two first-take daredevils, yet artfully executed. Check out the sample clicks at left and see for yourself!

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Joe Beck – guitars

Laura Theodore – vocals