Other than a record for Bethlehem and a few scattered selections, this LP (most of which has been reissued on CD) has
Carmen McRae's earliest recordings. Although her voice is higher than it would be and her style is not as recognizable, she was already a top-notch singer at this early stage. Some numbers have
McRae joined by the Mat Matthews Quintet (featuring Matthews on accordion and the young
Herbie Mann on flute), while others have her joined by pianist
Dick Katz, guitarist
Mundell Lowe, bassist
Wendell Marshall, and her ex-husband
Kenny Clarke on drums.
McRae plays piano on "Suppertime," and
Billy Strayhorn sits in on his own "Something to Live For." Among the other songs that
McRae uplifts and swings are "Give Me the Simple Life," "Sometimes I'm Happy," "Yardbird Suite," and "This Will Make You Laugh." ~ Scott Yanow