Della by Starlight is a studio album by American singer Della Reese. It was released in May 1960 by RCA Victor and was her sixth studio album. The disc was a collection of 12 ballads that were considered by the liner notes to be "love songs". It received a positive response from publications and critics alike.
Della Reese was both a singer and actress. She begun 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.[2] 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.[3] The album was a collection of 12 tracks[1] that were categorized as "love songs" according to the liner notes. The song choices also helped name the album. 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]
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.[1]
