This CD finds singer
Julie Kelly
in prime form. With the assistance of
Bill Cunliffe
on piano and synth, either
Tom Warrington
or
John Clayton
on bass, drummer
Joe LaBarbera
and several guests (guitarist
Larry Koonse
, tenorman
Bob Sheppard
, trumpeter
Clay Jenkins
and percussionist
Brian Kilgore
),
Kelly
creates fresh interpretations of such songs as
"The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,"
"Long Ago and Far Away," "A Sleepin' Bee" and a boppish "Royal Garden Blues." Most unusual is her transformation of "Tomorrow" (from
Annie
) into jazz. An excellent showcase for the talented singer, who both scats well and interprets lyrics with sensitivity. ~ Scott Yanow