Barbara Paris, vocals; Joseph Bonner, piano.
Barbara Paris sings in honor of her great inspiration, Billie Holiday. Backed by or rather in partnership with the energetic and sparkling piano of Joe Bonner, who contributes broad and sumptuous, electrifying solos; Joe can give a sharp strike to the piano, sometimes an urgent fierceness comes through. Barbara, singing within the contained range of Billie Holiday, has a smooth, silky voice, possessing a hint of vulnerability that will make men want to rush to protect her! It is strange because one might think that being placed in juxtaposition with a pianist like Joe Bonner, it would not work. But it is just the opposite, the contrasting styles of voice and piano make this a better than average CD. The trio of Gershwin tunes, "Nice Work If You Can Get It", "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and "Embraceable You" display this partnership to good effect. There are ten great tunes, in all, and this makes for good listening.
by Ferdinand Maylin
Editor: This CD and other Barbara Paris's CDs can be purchased in our Jazz Now Direct mail order catalog
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Haybert K. Houston, Publisher Editor in Chief, Jazz Now
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