Jackie Paris' smart, hip vocals prove a perfect match for
Ira Gershwin's smart, hip lyrics on this wonderful session, which boasts an appealing warmth and intimacy underneath its cool exterior. Paired with musical director
Irving Joseph as well as
Phil Bodner on flute and sax,
Joe Wilder on trumpet,
Barry Galbraith on guitar,
Eddie Costa on vibes, and
Roy Haynes on drums,
Paris delivers some of his jazziest and most thoughtful performances, clearly relishing the opportunity to tackle material as eloquent as "Let's Take a Walk Around the Block," "That Moment of Moments," and "Long Ago (And Far Away)." The subtlety of his approach dovetails perfectly with the common-man appeal of the
Gershwin songbook , and the album's steadfast refusal to bow to melodrama or theatricality is essential to its success.