's first recording remains an eye and ear opener. Without the overt schmaltz, proves a sincere singer and, more so, a fine pianist whose talent in this area would later become sublimated. If you want to hear not only the roots of 's jazzier and romantic side, not to mention the fun, you'll get it all on this remastered CD, with a bulletproof rhythm section of the peerless bassist and always on-the-money/in-the-pocket drummer . The program contains several songs that have become 's signature tunes. is typically cute as she nicely modifies the lyric. is easily swung and wittily rendered. Several standards such as the easy swinging, bluesy with its impressive bridge piano or the straight read of seem like child's play. She uses delayed, staggered phrasings with energetic pianistics during jumps in more pronounced and driving tones for and cleverly deviates from the melody in now typical -ian fashion for the previously unreleased She's most convincing on the unaccompanied take of the classic and goes into semi-classical mode with 's bowed bass during her lone original There are two instrumentals: swings very well with flourishes inserted here and there on a slight re-arrange, while 's (not 's) sports heavy modal introductory chords, impressive stop starts on a blues strut, and the most interaction during this set. 's fans should consider this an essential recording in her growing discography, and perhaps in many ways her best. ~ Michael G. Nastos