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Della by Starlight

Della by Starlight
Studio album by
Della Reese
ReleasedMay 1960 (1960-05)
StudioRCA Studio B (New York)
LabelRCA Victor
ProducerHugo & Luigi
Della Reese chronology
Della
(1960) 		Della by Starlight
(1960) 		Della Della Cha-Cha-Cha
(1960)

Della by Starlight is the sixth studio album by singer Della Reese, released by RCA Victor in May, 1960. The LP was a collection of 12 ballads that were considered by the liner notes to be "love songs". The album received positive reviews.

Background, recording and content

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Della Reese was both a singer and actress. She began her career as a singer recording a mixture of blues, jazz, and pop. Her first contract with Jubilee Records resulted in the 1957 commercially successful single "And That Reminds Me". Reese then signed a contract with RCA Victor, where she had her greatest commercial period.[1] Reese was paired with production team Hugo & Luigi at the RCA label, which resulted in a series of studio albums. Among them was 1960's Della by Starlight.[2] The album was a collection of 12 tracks[3] that were categorized as "love songs" according to the liner notes. The love songs on the album helped give it the title Della by Starlight. It also featured string instrumentation conducted by Glenn Osser.[4] Many of the album's songs were ballads, such as "He Was Too Good to Me", "Lamplight", "Two Sleepy People", and "These Foolish Things".[5][6]

Release and critical reception

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Della by Starlight was released in May 1960 on the RCA Victor label[7] and was her sixth studio album (her second with the RCA company). It was distributed as a vinyl LP, featuring six songs on each side of the disc.[4] It received positive reviews from music publications and critics. Billboard believed the album had "very strong sales potential", finding that Reese created her own musical style on each of the album's songs.[6] Cash Box magazine further commented, "In a program of romantic ballads Miss Reese performs with the artistic poise and intensity of voice that has become the most distinctive features of her popularity."[5] Although no formal review was provided, the website AllMusic rated Della by Starlight three out of five stars.[3]

Track listing

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Side one[4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Touch of Your Lips"Ray Noble3:15
2."He Was Too Good to Me"
3:18
3."That Old Feeling"
3:27
4."I Had the Craziest Dream"
3:50
5."I Wish I Knew"
  • Gordon
  • Warren
3:20
6."Lamplight"Shelton3:35
Side two[4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."How Did He Look?"
  • Silver
  • Shelley
4:15
2."More Than You Know"
4:25
3."These Foolish Things"
4:20
4."Deep in a Dream"
  • DeLange
  • Van Heusen
3:40
5."Embraceable You"
3:45
6."Two Sleepy People"
3:35

Personnel

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All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Della by Starlight.[4]

  • Ted Coconis – Painting
  • Ernest Oelrich – Recording engineer
  • Ray Hall – Recording engineer
  • Hugo & Luigi – Producer
  • Glenn Osser – Arrangement and conducting

Release history

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Release history and formats for Della by Starlight
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various May 1960
  • Vinyl LP (mono)
  • vinyl LP (stereo)
 RCA Victor [4][8]
1982 Vinyl LP (stereo) RCA International [9]
Circa 2010
  • Music download
  • streaming
 Harrison James Music [10]

References

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  1. ^ Huey, Steve. "Della Reese Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Will Friedwald (2010). A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers. Knopf Doubleday. pp. 385–388. ISBN 9780307379894.
  3. ^ a b "Della by Starlight: Della Reese: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Reese, Della (May 1960). "Della by Starlight (Liner Notes)". RCA Victor. LPM-2204 (LP mono); LSP-2204 (LP stereo).
  5. ^ a b "Album Reviews: Popular Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. May 21, 1960. p. 38. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Spotlight Winners of the Week: Very Strong Sales Potential" (PDF). Billboard. May 30, 1960. p. 33. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "May Album Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. May 14, 1960. p. 52. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Reese, Della (May 1960). "Della by Starlight (Liner Notes) [Australia]". RCA Victor. L-10923 (LP mono).
  9. ^ Reese, Della (1962). "Della by Starlight (Liner Notes) [Australia reissued]". RCA International. INTS-5194/NL-43873 (LP stereo).
  10. ^ "Della by Starlight - Album by Della Reese". Apple Music. Retrieved December 27, 2024.