Throughout her career, singer
Susannah McCorkle recorded many "songbook" sets dedicated to the music of a particular composer or lyricist. She followed up sets of
Cole Porter and
Irving Berlin in 1997 with a full program of
George Gershwin's music. On this CD,
McCorkle performs 15
Gershwin songs in settings ranging from an octet that includes tenor saxophonist
Chris Potter, trumpeter
Randy Sandke, trombonist
Conrad Herwig, and altoist Jerry Dodgion to duets with guitarist
Howard Alden ("I Loves You, Porgy"), bassist Dick Sarpola ("I Was Doing All Right" and "Love Walked In"), and her musical director, pianist
Allen Farnham (a medley of "Will You Remember Me?" and "Drifting Along with the Tide"). Even when singing such well-known tunes as the title cut, "How Long Has This Been Going On," "I Got Rhythm" (to which she adds an introduction explaining
Ira Gershwin's method of coming up with lyrics), and "'S Wonderful,"
McCorkle comes up with fresh variations and subtle creativity. Although one wishes that she had unearthed more
Gershwin obscurities, listeners should be grateful that
Susannah McCorkle recorded a long string of easily recommended vocal jazz albums during her lifetime. ~ Scott Yanow