Singer
Nancy Harrow certainly put a lot of work into this project, writing both words and music for all 13 originals. The recording is inspired by Willa Cather's brief novel
Lost Lady, although the plot is given a more modern twist.
Harrow utilizes a second singer (
Vernel Bagneris, who serves as the narrator and male counterpoint), a top-notch rhythm section (pianist
Dick Katz, bassist
Ray Drummond and drummer
Ben Riley) and occasionally
Phil Woods on alto and clarinet. While this is an interesting recording and everyone plays and sings well, none of the music is really all that memorable, and the songs do not stand alone if heard apart from the story. So it is a mixed success; well-conceived, ambitious and intriguing, if not essential. ~ Scott Yanow