by Greg Adams
Pete Fountain and Brenda Lee met in 1960 at the opening of Fountain's French Quarter Inn jazz club in New Orleans. The two enjoyed an impromptu on-stage jam session that led, eight years later, to For the First Time, a collaboration that pairs Lee's interpretive vocal abilities with Fountain's &Dixiepolitan& clarinet solos. The album deservedly became one of the last Top 100 charters for both artists. Although it is merely good overall, the unique instrumental setting is a welcome departure for Lee, whose late-'60s albums were often easy listening snoozers. Fountain, too, had an easy listening streak a mile wide, so Lee's vocal spots add some variety to melodies that are otherwise nothing new to him, like &Basin Street Blues,& &Night and Day,& and &Mood Indigo.& The album mixes pop and jazz standards with contemporary pop songs like &The 59th Street Bridge Song& and the Association's &Windy,& but the jazz-oriented numbers have a more timeless appeal. For the First Time isn't a masterpiece, but it does make one wonder whether Brenda Lee could have gained acceptance in the jazz field. After all, if Teresa Brewer did it...