Rating:
Genre:
Vocal Music
Release Date: 10/29/1996
Run Time: 50:12
This CD could have been titled
Finally! Dianne Reeves has long had the potential to be the top female
jazz singer, but so many of her previous recordings were erratic as she skipped back and forth between idioms without committing herself. However, after years of flirting with
jazz and being seemingly undecided whether she would rather be a
pop star, she at last came out with a full
jazz album in 1996, and it is a gem. The supporting cast on the ten selections (which feature different personnel on each cut) is remarkable and everyone gets a chance to play: trumpeters
Clark Terry and
Harry "Sweets" Edison, altoists
Phil Woods and
Bobby Watson, tenorman
James Moody, trombonist
Al Grey, harmonica great
Toots Thielemans (on
"Besame Mucho"), pianist
Kenny Barron, bassist
Rodney Whitaker, and drummer
Herlin Riley. In addition,
Joe Williams shares the vocal spotlight on
"Let Me Love You" and a touching version of
"Tenderly," Germaine Bazzle sings along with
Reeves on
"Side by Side," and a rendition of
Charlie Ventura's
"Ha!" has a vocal group consisting of
Reeves,
Bazzle,
Terry,
Moody, and the young
Kimberley Longstreth. Other highlights include
Nat Adderley's
"Old Country," "Some Other Spring," and
"Cherokee." Despite the heavy "competition," the leader emerges as the star of the set due to her beautiful voice and highly expressive singing. This highly recommended CD is the
Dianne Reeves release to get.
~Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
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