Red Mitchell is known most of all for his tremendous talents as a bassist, though he is also known as a competent pianist, witty composer and an okay singer. He decided to do all four on this CD that mixes standards and his originals. The upbeat "Come Rain Or Come Shine," a moving rendition of "But Beautiful," and his playful take of "My Romance" are all winners. His works include the hilarious "You Take Your Funny Money And Run Honey," a swipe at the idiocy of Sweden's huge bureaucracy, and "Big 'N' And The Bear," a superb blues that likely remains
Mitchell's best known composition. This Swedish import may be a bit hard to find, but the rewards of acquiring it are many. ~ Ken Dryden