Stephanie Nakasian
has long been a well-respected singer, but one who has not been given half the recognition that she deserves. However, this CD is quite definitive, a tribute to
June Christy
.
Nakasian
had been a major hit at a
West Coast jazz
convention/festival a few years earlier, singing songs associated with
Christy
and sometimes sounding remarkably close to her. The 17 selections on this CD include such
classics as
"Lullaby in Rhythm,"
"Gone for the Day,"
"Midnight Sun,"
"Lonely Woman,"
"I Want to Be Happy,"
and of course her trademark
"Something Cool."
Assisted by the
Stan Getz
-inspired tenor of
Harry Allen
, trombonist
John Jensen
, and either
Hod O'Brien
or
Larry Eanet
on piano,
lets her own personality into the music while sounding eerily like
in spots. The arrangements are as inspired as the singing, making this set a classic of its kind. ~ Scott Yanow