- Format: CD
- Label: Rhino Handmade
- Genre: Rock / Pop
In early 1974, Peggy Lee had Paul and Linda McCartney over for dinner. A fan since such early Lee singles as "Fever" and "Mr. Wonderful," the Beatle stated upon arrival that rather than bring champagne or flowers, he was writing a song for her. The simple, romantic "Let's Love" became the single and title track of her new album, her first for Atlantic after a long tenure at Capitol. In May 1974 at Abbey Road, McCartney produced and played piano on the backing track to "Let's Love." He then recorded Lee's vocal in Los Angeles. Lee coproduced the rest of the record with Dave Grusin, who had worked with the singer in the '60s as an arranger/conductor. With The Stylistics, Roberta Flack, and Quincy Jones ushering in an exciting new phase of R&B, Lee wanted to try something less pop, more soul. Let's Love fits the bill. Other album highlights include "Sweet Lov'liness," a fully arranged gospel toe-tapper, and Henry Mancini's "Sometimes," which first appeared on the Carpenters' Grammy®-winning 1971 album Carpenters. Lee brings a sexy rhythm to the samba of "Sweet Talk," and a '70s funk update to Irving Berlin's timeless "Always." Several other tracks were recorded but not included on the original album release. Presented on this Rhino Handmade edition as bonus material, they include the breezy "I Am His Lady," the vaudeville-flavored "I Wanna Be Seduced," and "The Nickel Ride," the title theme to a Grusin-scored film. Of special note is a previously unreleased version of "Let's Love," recorded by Lee and Grusin before securing McCartney as producer. Let's Love is available as an individually numbered limited edition of 3,000 copies.
TRACK LISTING LET'S LOVE (2:58) HE IS THE ONE (4:24) EASY EVIL (4:36) DON'T LET ME BE LONELY TONIGHT (4:04) ALWAYS (3:51) YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW (5:55) SWEET LOV'LINESS (3:53) THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER (3:04) SWEET TALK (3:24) SOMETIMES (2:25) LET'S LOVE (REPRISE) (1:20) I AM HIS LADY (4:10) I WANNA BE SEDUCED (2:34) THE NICKEL RIDE (4:52) LET'S KEEP DANCING (3:15) LET'S LOVE (Alternate Version) (4:00)
