Not quite as fine as
Sarah Vaughan's
Compact Jazz disc, this Verve roundup still nicely frames
Dinah Washington's stay at the label with a fetching array of her best cuts from the '50s and early '60s. Taking in some of
Washington's best-known pop songs ("What a Difference a Day Makes"), the disc touches on her excellent
Fats Waller ("Keepin' out of Mischief Now") and
Bessie Smith ("Backwater Blues") songbooks, while also including something from a fiery live date with
Clifford Brown ("I've Got You Under My Skin"). And this is not to forget a handful of finely gauged readings of such perennials as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Easy Living," and "I Could Write a Book." Topped off with fine support by a bevy of top players,
Compact Jazz: Dinah Washington makes for the ideal introductory disc. ~ Stephen Cook