Very Underrated
Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 07/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have known of Judy Roberts for a long time (whenever she recorded Senor Blues) but have never come across her recordings in the record stores. This one is my first!I particularly like the theme from the TV series "I Love Lucy" played as a truly beautiful ballad with a great rendering by Greg Fishman on the tenor sax. He's not a carbon copy, but one cannot help but think of Stan Getz while listening to his solo. Note also the nice interplay between piano, bass and drums during Judy's solo. This group is great!I also love the Brazilian tinged "Garden Of Dreams" and Judy's scat/melody arrangement of "Lonely Days".If you like excellent piano, a quartet setting, some great tenor sax, a vocalist with an appealing voice, a varied playlist with good changes of pace, then you will want this cd."
New peak moment for time-tested players
Robert J. Ament | 05/17/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Judy Roberts has been a superb player for years but she is better than ever. She is truly in the moment now. Roberts has a breathy vocal delivery slightly reminescent of Blossom Dearie and Astrud Gilberto and it is charming. She only sings three times and each is a delight. The instrumentals are no less captivating. The interplay between Roberts and her trio is complex and satisfying. Familiar tunes like the theme from "I Love Lucy" are reconceived in fresh, gorgeous new tempos. More obscure gems like "Garden of Dreams" are a treat to find. This is one of those rare recordings that forces you to stop and listen. Each listen yields new pleasures. If you like fresh, straight ahead sax, bass, drums, piano (and sometimes vocal) jazz you will love this.If you're familiar with Roberts from her chart-topping, Grammy nominated, fusion-y successes of the 70's and 80's, I think you'll find that now (the appeal of those earlier recordings not withstanding) is the time of her greatest achievement."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1