Ernestine Anderson was 32 years old at the time of this 1960 session, not long before her career inexplicably fell into the doldrums. This album finds her in great form, supported by a cast of musicians including
Clark Terry,
Hank Jones,
Yusef Lateef,
Ernie Royal,
Frank Rehak, and
Kenny Burrell, with terrific arrangements by
Ernie Wilkins. She achieves the perfect balance in her interpretation of "Trouble Is a Man," a masterful ballad written by
Alec Wilder, and she's clearly in her element in the hard-rocking blues "See See Rider."
Terry's striking trumpet almost provides a contrasting vocal alongside
Anderson during "All My Life," while her understated approach to a quick run through "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" showcases
Jones and
Burrell.
Lateef's oboe adds to the exotic flavor of "Lazy Afternoon." ~ Ken Dryden