Retrospective is a best-of CD that draws its material from singer
Christy Baron's three previous Chesky sets:
I Thought About You,
Steppin', and
Take This Journey. Unfortunately the packaging of this CD does not bother including a list of the personnel; however the selections are well chosen and they feature
Baron at her best. In addition to modernized versions of a few standards, she turns a variety of pop and rock tunes into jazz, ranging from
the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life" to songs by
Carole King,
Peter Gabriel, and
Stevie Wonder. The backup groups are excellent,
Baron has an attractive voice, and there are enough subtle surprises throughout this sampler to make one desire to hear her three previous CDs in full. ~ Scott Yanow