There can be no debate about ' many gifts as an interpreter of , , and -- and she also has a way with a song that makes the best of them sit up and take notice. Her long and varied career has taken her all along the American music highway. This set of love songs comes almost exclusively from her later -affiliated label recordings, made in mid-'90s and early 21st century -- the opening cut, however, was originally issued in 1960 on the label. Many veteran listeners who prefer ' 1950s music may have a hard time appreciating this phase in her career, and it's their loss. For those who do, however (and for those who have yet to encounter the singer properly), these 15 cuts will be a small revelation. Compiled to accent her softer singing persona, sets in the company of greats including on her readings of such as and among others. Elsewhere, can be found digging into deeply soulful nuggets like 's The closer is her now classically controversial version of where she turns the tune inside out and makes it completely her own. But the most beautiful thing here is the skeletal, deeply moving and introspective where she is accompanied only by a guitar and a trumpet. For the money, this comp is a solidly different taste of and should be considered. ~ Thom Jurek