"in the wee small hours" was recorded before stereophonic technology, but the fidelity of this monophonic album feels "warm" to modern ears. the album was recorded in five sessions at khj studios, hollywood. these sessions took place on february 8, 16, and 17, and april 1 and 4, and would start at 8:00 p.m., continuing to past midnight. the sessions were recorded in studio c, located downstairs, which was a smaller studio designed to record small ensembles. the first four songs recorded specifically for this album ("can't we be friends", "dancing on the ceiling", "glad to be unhappy", "i'll be around") were not recorded with any brass or strings, but were sparsely arranged. although the arrangements were riddle's, there was no need for a conductor, so pianist bill miller managed from his instrument.