You Gotta Pay the Band

1	Bird Alone 8:33
2	I'm in Love 6:11
3	You Gotta Pay the Band 4:47
4	Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? 6:45
5	You Made Me Funny 3:00
6	And How I Hoped for Your Love 3:35
7	When I'm Called Home 5:24
8	Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams 6:26
9	Up Jumped Spring 4:35
10	A Time for Love 8:40

Barnes & Noble

Yes, bucks must be paid to the boys in the band, but rest assured the heavyweights performing here earned their money. Bassist Charlie Haden and pianist Hank Jones pitch in with typically sensitive performances, but Lincoln is especially blessed to have one of the last performances by tenor saxophonist Stan Getz. Lincoln, who had only recently begun attracting wider public attention for her intensely personal and impassioned vocal style, rose to match her sensational sidemen. She handles an interesting group of offbeat standards -- Freddie Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring," "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams," " Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" -- with aplomb. But she's even better working her own sharply written and often poignant original songs, including "Bird Alone," "You Made Me Funny," and "When I'm Called Home." Lincoln may not have the vocal chops of, say, Ella or Sarah, but she more than compensates by pouring herself, heart first, into her material. Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

Stan Getz is featured on one of his final recordings on this excellent Abbey Lincoln CD; Getz's cool tenor fits in very well with Lincoln's voice, making one wish that they had met up previously. With pianist Hank Jones, bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Mark Johnson, and (on two songs) Maxine Roach's viola completing the group, it is not surprising that Lincoln sounds typically inspired. Actually, her version of "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" is a bit of a misfire with its dated lyrics (which should have been modified and altered to fit a female). However, "Bird Alone," Freddie Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring" (given lyrics by Lincoln), and five of her originals more than compensate. Recommended. Scott Yanow