This two-CD set mostly brings back material from singer
Carmen McRae's Decca years that had been bypassed by other reissues. The oversized box, after a memorable version of "Something to Live For" (in which
McRae is accompanied by the song's composer
Billy Strayhorn), has many orchestra tracks that are weighed down by middle-of-the-road arrangements more suitable to
Doris Day than to
McRae; only "Whatever Lola Wants" is memorable among the routine ballads of 1955-56. However, things start improving with "Skyliner" and a March 1957 set with just a rhythm section is quite enjoyable;
McRae herself contributes some effective piano on swinging renditions of "Perdido" and "Exactly like You." The majority of the later selections use orchestras but the charts are more jazz-oriented and
McRae (who was in her mid-to-late 30s during the period) had clearly grown as a singer; tenor-saxophonist
Ben Webster helps out on "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "Flamingo." Overall this set is worth picking up for fans of
Carmen McRae's early years, giving one a fine overview of her talents in the 1950s. ~ Scott Yanow