Originally put out by singer
Betty Carter on her Bet-Car label, this set from her struggling years has since been reissued on CD by Verve. Joined by either
Daniel Mixon or
Onaje Alan Gumbs on piano, bassist
Buster Wiliams and
Louis Hayes or Chip Lyles on drums,
Betty Carter really digs into the material (the majority of which are her originals), using unusual tempoes (and sometimes quick changes) and coming up with rather spontaneous and sometimes abstract interpretations; "You're a Sweetheart" (which has remained in
Carter's repertoire for years) is a highlight. ~ Scott Yanow