Search - Blossom Dearie :: Blossom Time at Ronnie Scott's

Lolita with Chops

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 02/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Blossom has called this her favorite recording, and though artists are notoriously bad critics of their own work, I can see its charms--especially for those just discovering the singer-pianist with the tiny and childlike but strangely compelling voice. The audio fidelity and crowd ambience of the on-location recording lend immediacy and a sense of the "au courant" to the proceedings, and the rhythm section and programming are superior to the live performance I caught by Blossom at Manhattan's Reno Sweeney in the mid-70s. The repertoire is varied, but each tune is executed to perfection, making it all but impossible to select highlights and lowlights, favorites and throwaways. Even that biggest of all "musical clichés," Duke's "Satin Doll" (forget Amazon's spelling), sounds fresh and welcome as performed by Blossom.



As for the Lolita-like, undeniably girlish quality in Blossom's voice, it's counterbalanced by her forthright, direct, no-nonsense approach to a song's lyrics. There's no pose, no self-consciousness, and little to no sensuality or seduction in this remarkably versatile performer whose child-like delivery includes a child's honest candor. Any ironic subtexts, or even sexuality, are the projections of the listener.



Only one downside, imo: the decision not to edit out Blossom's "jokes." Even she can't breathe new life into these groaners."