Jeri Brown, who has a four-octave range, is quite restrained during these thoughtful and very intimate performances. The talented singer performs nine compositions by
Jimmy Rowles and uses the composer on piano along with bassist
Eric Von Essen.
Brown gives great emphasis and feeling to the often sensuous (and occasionally witty) lyrics. The words to four of the nine songs are by
Johnny Mercer and for three others
Rowles wrote his own but it is
Norma Winstone's lyrics to the pianist's classic "The Peacocks" (here retitled "A Timeless Place") that are most memorable on this haunting set. ~ Scott Yanow