Around the time that she was participating in
Dave Brubeck's Real Ambassadors, singer
Carmen McRae appeared at Basin Street East with the backing of
Brubeck's trio (no
Paul Desmond on this set). The resulting live album finds
McRae mostly interpreting the lyrics of
Iola Brubeck; all dozen songs except
Desmond's "Take Five" are
Dave Brubeck originals. This interesting set finds
McRae's voice in prime form, and her vocal versions of such songs as "In Your Own Sweet Way," "Ode to a Cowboy," "It's a Raggy Waltz" And "Travellin' Blues" are definitive.