Jeri Southern - An Occasional Man What Do You See In Her

francescacolettiartenoi

Review by Francesca Coletti Artenoi

Album Review: An Occasional Man / What Do You See In Her by Jeri Southern Jeri Southern’s 1955 release, An Occasional Man / What Do You See In Her, is a fascinating snapshot of mid-century American music. Blending genres like Pop, Blues, and Funk/Soul with styles ranging from Soul to Balladry, this Decca Records gem captures Southern at her most expressive. Directed by Frank Merriweather, the album feels both polished and deeply personal—a rare combination that makes it worth revisiting even today. One standout track is “What Do You See In Her.” It’s one of those songs where Southern’s vocal delivery grabs you right away. She doesn’t just sing; she seems to live every word. The lyrics are simple enough—jealousy, longing, maybe even a touch of bitterness—but Southern transforms them into something far richer. There’s a raw honesty here that cuts through any pretense. Paired with a smooth, soulful arrangement, the song sticks in your head long after it ends. You can almost picture someone sitting alone late at night, nursing their thoughts over a glass of something strong. Then there’s “An Occasional Man,” which flips the mood entirely. Where the first track feels heavy with emotion, this one has a lighter, almost playful vibe. Southern sounds confident, almost sly, as if she knows exactly how charming she is. The melody bounces along nicely, and the instrumentation gives off a warm, jazzy feel. It’s the kind of tune that could easily become background music for a lazy Sunday morning—or the centerpiece of a lively evening gathering. Either way, it works. The production quality might feel dated to modern ears, but that’s part of its charm. This was 1955, after all, when records weren’t meant to be perfect—they were meant to tell stories. And boy, does Southern know how to spin a tale. Her voice carries weight, vulnerability, and a hint of mischief, making these tracks resonate on multiple levels. Released in the US and Canada, this album didn’t exactly set the world on fire back then. But listening now, it’s hard not to appreciate its quiet brilliance. Sure, it’s not flashy or groundbreaking, but sometimes subtlety speaks louder than spectacle. Here’s the thing about An Occasional Man / What Do You See In Her: it reminds us that music doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Jeri Southern proves that a well-placed note and an honest voice can leave a lasting impression. Funny enough, though, I found myself wondering—if this album came out today, would anyone notice? Maybe not. Or maybe they’d call it timeless. Who knows?

Download Jeri Southern - An Occasional Man What Do You See In Her
Artist: Jeri Southern
Album: An Occasional Man What Do You See In Her

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: jeri-southern-an-occasional-man-what-do-you-see-in-her.zip
  • MP3 size: 15.8 mb
  • FLAC size: 108.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
An Occasional Man2:30
What Do You See In Her3:01

Video

Jeri Southern - An Occasional Man (Decca Records 1955)

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • 9-29647
  • 29647

Labels

Decca

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 45 RPM
  • 7"
  • Shellac
  • 10"
  • 78 RPM
  • Single

Credits

RoleCredit
Directed ByFrank Merriweather

Notes

  • Frank Merriweather on one line.
  • 45-L 8591 not in brackets.
  • 45-L 8591 in brackets.

About Jeri Southern

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Born 5th August 1926, Royal, Nebraska Died 4th August 1991, Los Angeles Originally a classically-trained pianist, she switched to playing jazz, later having some success as a singer - the female equivalent of Nat King Cole. After beginning her career at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha, she joined a United States Navy recruiting tour during World War II. In the late 1940s, she worked in clubs in Chicago where she once played piano for Anita O'Day. During this period, she became known for her singing, particularly for her renditions of torch songs. Southern signed a contract with Decca Records in 1951 and became known both for pop and jazz. She recorded "When I Fall in Love" accompanied by the song's composer, Victor Young, and his orchestra in April 1952. In 1955, her recording of "An Occasional Man" reached number 89 on the Billboard magazine pop chart. She sang in films and in 1957 had a hit with "Fire Down Below". The song peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1957. After joining Capitol Records, she had success with interpretations of Cole Porter songs arranged by Billy May.

Real Name

    • Genevieve Lillian Hering

Name Vars

  • J. Southern
  • Jeri Southern With Guitar Accompaniment
  • Jeri Southern With Orchestra Directed By Sonny Burke
  • Southern

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: Jeri Southern’s 1955 album *An Occasional Man / What Do You See In Her* blends soulful ballads with smooth vocals, showcasing her versatility. It’s wild to think this gem came out in the '50s, mixing pop, blues, and funk styles. The album was released in the US and Canada on Decca Records, with Frank Merriweather directing. Tracks like "What Do You See In Her" and "An Occasional Man" highlight Southern’s ability to tug at your heartstrings while keeping things classy. Not bad for an artist flying under the radar today!

Comments

rucipyzi
rucipyzi
2025-03-05
When it came out in 1955, I was instantly captivated by Jeri Southern's "An Occasional Man." I wanted to dress in my sailor suit tap dancing outfit and perform it at our church bazaar. I was almost seven years old. My mom protested, "Honey, that song's too adult for you! What do you know about an occasional man!?" My tap dancing teacher, Miss Jody, reassured mom that we'd work up something cute and it would be okay. So, I performed it, tap dancing and singing along to Jeri Southern with papier mache palm tree props. What strikes me now is, this was a light hearted celebration of casual sex in the straight-laced 1950's, a harbinger of what was on the way about 8 years later!
equipesaci2
equipesaci2
2025-03-04
조회수 21,472회... 잘 들었습니다.
marvinburkecoquinasandrealestate
marvinburkecoquinasandrealestate
2025-03-03
Last month I featured Miss Southern's version of the tune in my show.
jradinger
jradinger
2025-03-03
A long time love of mine, delightful Jeri - and getting fun from this quite "naughty" song... ???
crapisrobi9
crapisrobi9
2025-03-02
A song from the 1950's about hooking up. How about that?
jschmidtbc
jschmidtbc
2025-03-01
)^_*(
kevinanger
kevinanger
2025-03-01
Great song! Me and my uncle both love it!
ositacumbres1979
ositacumbres1979
2025-03-01
'The Notorious Bettie Page' (movie) turned me on to this song.
zuliananurul852
zuliananurul852
2025-02-28
Thanks for the notes, lyrics, and upload!

Larry, Taiwan
powerfilleddays
powerfilleddays
2025-02-28
the last line is actually: "...and blame an occasional dame."  I have always loved this song--it's from my childhood--practically.  Dichrista
djbhardwaj
djbhardwaj
2025-02-27
"An Occassional Man" was recorded as a single by Jeri Southern during her 7-year tenure with Decca Records (#9-29647).  During its brief stay on the Billboard charts it peaked at # 89. 
In 1958 she signed with Roulette Records where she released three albums before eventually recording for Capitol the following year.  In 1961 she discontinued her performing career to concentrate on composing for films.
btestram
btestram
2025-02-27
"Jeri Southern was an American jazz pianist and singer." A friend of Peggy Lee left us much too soon but made quite a musical splash while with us. She's one of a host of celebrities hailing from Nebraska.