These sessions by harmonica virtuoso
Toots Thielemans are a mixed bag of vocal and instrumental interpretations of works by
Harold Arlen. Unfortunately, the project comes across as more of a crossover date, featuring several vocalists who will be of little interest to many jazz fans, while conductor Jurre Haanstra's orchestrations are rather bland and sometimes a bit syrupy.
Thielemans' own solos tend to be fairly short, while his regular pianist,
Kenny Werner (switching to Fender Rhodes on a few tracks), isn't utilized enough as a soloist. The best selections include "This Time the Dream's on Me," which features
Till Brönner on both trumpet and vocals in a warm and unpretentious setting, a campy treatment of "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" by
Madeleine Peyroux, along with
Trijntje Oosterhuis' warm rendition of the nearly forgotten "I Wonder What Became of Me." But several tracks don't make the cut, including
Jamie Cullum's pop-infused "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road),"
Beth Hart's dreadful "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues," and urban contemporary singer
Oleta Adams' lackluster version of "Stormy Weather." This CD falls short of being an essential
Toots Thielemans release. ~ Ken Dryden