This CD could be subtitled "Warren Plays Warren," since cornetist
Warren Vache and pianist
Brian Lemon perform 17 songs by
Harry Warren.
Vache's playing is quite warm; although there are some moments where his chops give out for a second, in general he is in excellent form throughout the date. The majority of the tunes are taken at a ballad tempo, but there are also a few romps (including two versions of "Nagasaki") along with two fair
Vache vocals ("You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" and "Lulu's Back In Town"). Swing pianist
Lemon, who is featured on all of the recordings by the British Zephyr label, provides a solid foundation for
Vache's melodic flights. Among the many other superior
Harry Warren songs that are explored and caressed by the duo are "You'll Never Know," "I'll String Along With You," "Jeepers Creepers" and "You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me." This is tasteful music. ~ Scott Yanow