On her "jazz piano tribute to
Frank Sinatra,"
Beegie Adair addresses 12 songs performed at one time or another by
Sinatra. They range from actual signature songs (Kander & Ebb's "New York, New York") to songs specially written for
Sinatra ("Nice ‘N Easy," "Come Fly with Me"), all the way to songs he just happened to have recorded, even if they weren't particularly associated with him ("Just in Time," which, if anything, is known more for
Sinatra pal
Dean Martin's version, since he sang it in the film
Bells Are Ringing, or for
Tony Bennett, who had a chart single with it). In any case, the songs provide a good means for
Adair, along with her rhythm section, to present swing arrangements centering on her piano. As a jazz musician,
Adair doesn't tend to get far away from the melodies of the songs, although she does add all sorts of ornamentation. Actually, among her many albums, this one has a higher improvisatory component than most. But it's still basically high-quality cocktail jazz with a focus on
Sinatra. ~ William Ruhlmann