Editorial Reviews

Universal's Definitive Collection of songs composed by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart turns out to be one of the better volumes in this label's series of tributes to great composers. That has something to do with the material itself -- Rodgers & Hart wrote a lot of wonderful tunes -- but it's also the result of careful selection and outstanding musicianship. This business of mingling contemporary performers with earlier artists can be tricky. Fortunately, the producers of this compilation chose supremely capable "new" vocalists -- Claudia Acuña, Denzal Sinclaire and Diana Krall -- as substantial counterweights to Dinah Washington, Carmen McRae and Shirley Horn. Although Ella Fitzgerald and Anita O'Day each deliver stunning performances, the artistic nucleus of this entire collection resides within two unforgettable recordings that possess the magic potency of ritual: Billie Holiday's divinely sensual serenade to the "Blue Moon" and Nina Simone's amazing juxtaposition of "Little Girl Blue" with "Good King Wenceslas." Furthermore, Linda Ronstadt, accompanied by acoustic guitar and a string quartet, achieves a surprisingly successful rendering of "My Funny Valentine." On the lighter side, Blossom Dearie does a credible job with "Manhattan," Patti Page is backed by a flashy big band on "Mountain Greenery" and "My Romance" gets the plush a cappella treatment by the Singers Unlimited; their sound is a blend of the Good Life,'70s production, plainsong and valerian. Although there are only four instrumental tracks on this compilation, they are exceptional enough to make an already excellent album superb. Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins' gentle rendition of "It Never Entered My Mind" is nothing short of sublime. George Shearing's 1949 recording of "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" defines the genre, the composers and the performers. Oscar Peterson is magnificent both with his trio and in vigorous collaboration with Stéphane Grappelli. Not all of Universal's "Definitive" collections are created equal; this appears to be one of the very best. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide All Music Guide

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