Once Upon a Summertime by Blossom Dearie

Let's start with come classic jazz singer albums, shall we? And of all the women in jazz (jazz grrls), the most girlish has gotta be Blossom Dearie. This album has a very good selection of songs, with Blossom singing and playing piano in her inimitable style. Style is definitely her thing, white gloves and all. She makes understatement an art, has impeccable phrasing and sings good songs. She's not necessarily the most kick-ass soulful make-you-wanna-weep singer, but she sneaks up on you, like a fine wine. The shock of her little girl tone vanishes within the first few minutes of listening to her - I swear!

Hip tunes on this compact disc include the dramatic and lyrical "Once Upon a Summertime", a wistful rendition of "Manhattan", the swinging "Moonlight Savings Time", and the too-kitsch-for-words "Doodlin' Song". Well, okay, the "Doodlin' Song" is shockingly dated, but that's what makes it so cool.

Blossom is a role model too, and it is clear from her liner notes here that she has been taking care of business for a long while. This album of 12 tunes was recorded in 6 hours! And we have Blossom to thank for the beautiful English version of Once Upon A Summertime - she had heard the Michel Legrand composition in French and asked Johnny Mercer to write English words. Initiative is a wonderful thing. She's got her own label, Daffodil Records, which she proudly plugs on this Verve production. I'll be checking those recordings out soon too.

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