A superior cabaret singer whose stage fright kept her from appearing in public that often,
Anita Ellis was 57 when she taped two of
Alec Wilder's radio shows in 1977. It is from those programs that these previously unreleased performances are drawn.
Ellis is particularly wonderful on ballads and her voice is strong, quite expressive and very appealing. Many of the songs are by Burton Lane or the team of Van Heusen and Burke with a few other favorites tossed in. The accompaniment by pianist Loonis McGlohon's rhythm section is tasteful and very sympathetic, and
Anita Ellis sings quite beautifully throughout the extended set, doing great justice to the lyrics. ~ Scott Yanow