This is an album that should not have worked.
LaVern Baker (a fine R&B singer) was joined by all-stars from mainstream jazz (including trumpeter
Buck Clayton, trombonist
Vic Dickenson, tenor-saxophonist
Paul Quinichette and pianist
Nat Pierce) for twelve songs associated with the great '20s blues singer
Bessie Smith. Despite the potentially conflicting styles, this project is quite successful and often exciting. The arrangements by
Phil Moore,
Nat Pierce, and
Ernie Wilkins do not attempt to re-create the original recordings;
Baker sings in her own style (rather than trying to emulate
Bessie Smith), and the hot solos work well with her vocals. ~ Scott Yanow