●ノリノリのナンバー「I can cook too」、「Across the alley from the Alamo」も心弾む出来映えであるが、本作の目玉はやはり、バラードナンバーの数々である。プラターズの大ヒット曲「煙が目にしみる」、ナット・キング・コールでおなじみ「True Love」、手垢がつきまくっているスタンダード「Cry me a river」などにおける凄みと、バラードシンギングのレベルの高さは圧巻である。特に「Cry me」は、ゴージャスなオーケストラを従えた重厚なアレンジも相俟って、まさに圧倒的。この曲をここまでゴージャスに歌いきるバージョンもなかなかお目に(耳に)かかれない。お見事。 また、ボーナストラック「Spring can really hang you up the most」もクオリティが高い。初めから終わりまで、きっちりと魅せてくれる作品に仕上がっている。
Needed to replace an old cassette of this great album by Patti Austin. Purchased a CD this time and fell in love all over again with this terrific album. This album has everything - first a woman with a great voice and style together with timeless songs and songs that will make you smile and move. This is one of my all time favorite albums - one that I never get tired of hearing. Thank you Patti Austin....from a forever fan.
I return to this album time and again. The best version of Lazy Afternoon I've ever heard. Some selections are a bit sugar-coated, but this woman has just a wonderful, rich and powerful voice. The arrangements of many of these classics are anything but cookie-cutter; fresh and unique.
The only CD of Patti Austin that I was able to get a copy of Patti's wonderful version of "When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." I used to hear the song as a child on my grandmother's music box when I would visit, and it brings back good memories. The rest of her CD is great as well