Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 09/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Susannah was one of the finest interpreters of the Great American Songbook, recording many classic albums from the late seventies to the end of the millenium. The songs on this album were written by a variety of composers, the only common link being romance. Susannah didn't record many really obscure songs this time, so most of these songs will be familiar to fans of the Great American Songbook. Lover man and Zing went the strings of my heart may be the best known to the wider public.As with so many of Susannah's albums, most of the songs are very old, but there is one new song - Where do you start? which was a new song written especially for her. In the liner notes, Susannah said it was a difficult song to sing, because it made her cry, although she clearly managed to do a take of the song for this album without crying. It is, nevertheless, clear from this track and others that Susannah knew all about heartbreak when she recorded this album.This is unquestionably one of Susannah's finest albums. The only weak point is the boring cover picture. Inside, there is a black and white picture of a smiling Susannah looking slim and very beautiful - this should have been the cover picture. Still, it's the music that counts and this is just one of her many brilliant albums that I thoroughly enjoy listening to from beginning to end."
Jazz is great!
Dale Nelson | Fountain Hills, Arizona United States | 08/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Track 2 "My Foolish Heart" and # 13 "Where do you Start" are so great, it is hard to find any other songs anywhere to compete. You have got to hear them. The musicality of Susannah and her group are outstanding; in tune, all notes in the accompinment and jazz licks making complete sense. Her voice is like, think Astrid Gilberto with a vibrato and at times that breathy Julie London/Marylyn Monroe. After listening to Where do you Start, you feel lousy about her death. You want to get to know her."
This cd is 100% great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Hawk | Yorba Linda CA | 11/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a pleasant surpise we have here. Susannah has a great voice(that's no surpise)! Susannah sure does sing beautifully on this cd(too bad she died so tragicly).The real reason I love this cd is beacause of the instrumentation. Whoever the musical director was for this project should be made President of the United States. This is a jazz cd, full of imrovisations forget about the boring melody. On most the songs there was no true melody PRAISE THE LORD!!! Susannah sounds delightful with this band. Susannah has so much talent and it fits perfectly with projects like this.I currently own all of the S.M. catalog and would like to say that there are other cds by Susannah that are along the same lines as this cd, they are all worth picking up.Recommendation: I can TRULY recommend this cd(even tough jazz critic Scott Yanow gave it a great review on allmusic guide)."
Impressive interpretive skills are heard at their best
A.A.B. | 05/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"AMG EXPERT REVIEW: The plot behind this project by the wonderful singer Susannah McCorkle is that she performs fresh interpretations of familiar standards that deal with love; all but the recent "Where Do You Start" were at least 35 years old at the time and some were of much earlier vintage. Backed by a quintet including Frank Wess on tenor and flute, pianist Allen Farnham and guitarist Howard Alden, McCorkle's very attractive voice and impressive interpretive skills are heard at their best. Highlights include the title cut, "A Beautiful Friendship," "Get Out Of Town," "It Never Entered My Mind," "Taking A Chance On Love" and "I Thought About You." - Scott Yanow"
An Album For Romantics!
Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 09/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the third cd recorded by Susannah McCorkle for the Concord label......one of her best, since the tunes are standards recognizable by almost everyone.Not only is the music enjoyable, but its familiarity allows one to appreciate not only her fine voice but also her excellent interpretive style (Dig her pensive rendering of "Spring Is Here") and the emotional intensity she brings with her delivery.A bonus is the fine contribution of the accompanying musicians...the flute and sax work of Frank Wess, the piano of Allen Farnham and guitar of Howard Alden. I really dig the unusually slow tempo bass entry accompanying her on "Get Out Of Town".If you like romantic music by a fine vocalist with a light jazz accompanyment, then you will like this! A really good set....as are most of her cds."