This CD features a logical combination: singer
Diane Schuur with the
Count Basie big band. In what would be longtime rhythm guitarist
Freddie Green's final performance,
Schuur and the
Basie ghost band (under the direction of
Frank Foster) perform material that includes her standards (such as "Deedles' Blues" and "Climbing Higher Mountains"),
Dave Brubeck's "Travlin' Blues" and the
Joe Williams-associated "Everyday I Have The Blues." Unfortunately, the
Basie band is mostly used in accompaniment without any significant solos, but
Schuur sounds quite comfortable in this format and her voice is in prime form. ~ Scott Yanow