This is an unusual album, for it features the always flexible singer
Helen Merrill and keyboardist
Gordon Beck on six trios apiece with either soprano saxophonist
Steve Lacy or violinist
Stephane Grappelli. Most of the selections are standards (exceptions being
Merrill's "Music Makers" and
Beck's "And Still She Is With Me"), but all of the songs sound quite fresh, partly due to the unusual instrumentation and also partly because of the players' inventiveness. Highlights include "'Round Midnight" and "When Lights Are Low" (both of which include
Lacy) and "A Girl In Calico" and "Lady Be Good" with
Grappelli. ~ Scott Yanow