Susannah McCorkle first emerged in 1976 as one of the top interpreters of lyrics to mature since the 1950s. Since then she has continued to grow as an expressive singer who brings out hidden beauty in the songs she sings. For her Concord debut,
McCorkle is joined by
Ken Peplowski (on clarinet and tenor), either
Emily Remler or
Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, pianist
Dave Frishberg (in a purely instrumental role), bassist
John Goldsby, and drummer
Terry Clarke. Although many of her recordings have been songbooks focusing on one composer or lyricist, she chose superior standards by a wide variety of writers for this date. Highlights include "Fascinating Rhythm," a hot version of Louis Armstrong's "Swing That Music," "P.S. I Love You," "Sometimes I'm Happy," Gerry Mulligan's inspiring "The Ballad of Pearly Sue," and "No More Blues," but all ten numbers are quite rewarding. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow