Joan Steele starts out on "St. Louis Blues" in dramatic fashion, singing unaccompanied. Eventually she is joined by her piano but still retains the dark and coolly emotional mood at a slow tempo. However after it becomes obvious that nearly every song on
'Round Midnight (whether it is a solo or trio number) is in the same mood and tempo, a certain sameness sets in, diluting her music and message.
Steele has an expressive voice and fine elocution but the lack of variety on this CD makes her debut recording of more limited interest than expected. ~ Scott Yanow