Like 1996's Gratitude, Ain't Misbehavin' is another satisfying solo piano album. This time the setting is live, at the Holywell Music Room in Oxford, a space that opened to the public in 1748. Many of
Williams' best improvisational moments occur during the four standards on the program: "Alone Together," "Too Young to Go Steady," "Don't Blame Me," and the famous
Fats Waller title track. There are also two strong originals, "El Salvador" and "Joyful Sorrow"; two tunes associated with the late
Rahsaan Roland Kirk, "The Eulipians" and "Black Diamond"; the seldom-played
Sonny Rollins gem "Paul's Pal"; and
John Coltrane's hymn-like "After the Rain," which serves as the finale.
Williams has fun with the audience, and herself, quoting
Bud Powell here, "Camptown Races" there, giving each tune exactly the treatment it seems to ask for. She's not an innovator by any stretch, but always very impressive. ~ David R. Adler