Delightful Doris Drew (1957)
COMING OUT THIS SUMMER! FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR PRE-ORDERS!
ALL-ANALOG RELEASE ON 180 GRAM VINYL
MASTERED AND CUT BY BERNIE GRUNDMAN AT 45 RPM IN STEREO
FROM A 15IPS DOLBY FLAT COPY (BEST AVAILABLE SOURCE)
PLATED AND PRESSED AT GOTTA GROOVE RECORDS
STOUGHTON GATEFOLD WITH AN EXTENSIVE TIPPED-IN BOOKLET
LIMITED TO 2,000 COPIES
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We are very excited to announce that Delightful Doris Drew will be the second release of GAMMAUT.
Originally recorded in 1957 for Mode Records, Delightful Doris Drew is, in many ways, a quiet record. It doesn’t announce itself loudly, and it doesn’t rely on showmanship or excess. What it offers instead is something far more lasting: clarity of expression, emotional precision, and a deep sense of musical intelligence.
Doris Drew’s singing is remarkable for its restraint and focus. Every phrase feels considered, but never calculated. There is a naturalness to her delivery — an ability to inhabit a song without imposing on it — that gives the music its lasting power. The performances reward close listening, not through complexity, but through honesty and control.
A big part of what makes this record so compelling is the musical setting around her. The session was arranged by Marty Paich, whose writing brings a remarkable sense of balance — elegant, understated, and always in service of the voice. The core ensemble includes Don Fagerquist on trumpet, Herb Geller on alto saxophone, Dave Pell on tenor sax, Max Bennett on bass, Al Viola on guitar, Bob Enevoldsen on trombone, and Mel Lewis on drums — musicians whose sensitivity and restraint are essential to the album’s character. On several tracks, the addition of a string section further enriches the palette, adding warmth and depth without ever overwhelming the intimacy of the performances.
It’s the kind of record that reveals itself slowly. The more time you spend with it, the more you begin to hear the subtle decisions — in phrasing, timing, tone — that define it. For us, that’s often the mark of something truly special.
And yet, despite its quality, the album has remained relatively under-recognized. Like many recordings from smaller independent labels of the time, it never quite received the presentation or long-term care it deserved. That’s something we’re hoping to change.
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Working with Doris
There’s another aspect of this project that makes it especially meaningful for us.
We’ve had the privilege of working directly with Doris Drew herself on this reissue. At 98 years old, she is remarkably lucid, energetic, and possesses an extraordinary memory of the session, the musicians, and the time in which the record was made. Not to mention her wicked sense of humor!
Spending time with her, hearing her perspective, and being able to include her voice in the way this album is presented has been nothing short of extraordinary. It’s rare enough to work on a record of this quality — but to do so with the artist still able to share her story brings an entirely different dimension to the project.
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Why we’re excited
There are many technically impressive records, and many historically important ones. What excites us most are the records that feel personally meaningful — recordings where the artistry is unmistakable, even if the recognition hasn’t always followed.
Delightful Doris Drew is one of those records.
It’s also rare — and deeply special — to be able to bring a record like this back into the world with the artist still present to witness it. That alone makes this release unlike anything we’ve done before.
It’s a reminder that great music doesn’t always come with a large footprint, and that some of the most lasting work exists slightly outside the spotlight. Bringing that kind of music forward — with care, patience, and respect — remains at the core of what we do.
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Pre-orders
Although we are still in the middle of producing the full package, we’ve decided to make the record available for pre-order starting now.
This pressing will be limited to 2,000 copies.
GAMMAUT is, at its core, just two record collectors taking a meaningful risk on music we deeply believe in — often records that are obscure, but, to us, undeniably special. Your support at this stage truly makes a difference in allowing us to continue working this way.
As a small gesture of appreciation, we are offering free shipping on all pre-orders of Delightful Doris Drew within the US. Orders placed after the pre-order window will include shipping charges.
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More details on the release will follow soon, including the release date.
Thank you, as always, for your attention, your curiosity, and your support.
Warmly,
Philipe Berman and Christopher Brown