Daryl Sherman's relaxed and straightforward approach to singing, paying attention to the meaning of the lyrics but always swinging, is quite winning. Whether being lyrical on "Any Old Time" or saucy on "Knock Me a Kiss,"
Sherman is in delightful form throughout this set, and she contributes two fine originals, "Simple as That" and the humorous (if sad) "Something Brazilian." A major asset to the CD are the arrangements of
Dan Barrett, which utilize his trombone, trumpeter
Randy Sandke, four reeds (Jerry Dodgion,
Ken Peplowski,
Scott Robinson and
Chuck Wilson) and a fine rhythm section (guitarist
Bucky Pizzarelli, pianist
John Bunch, bassist Boots Maleson and drummer
Klaus Suonsaari) quite colorfully. The reeds all double and sometimes triple (
Scott Robinson's bass clarinet is quite atmospheric), and a variety of instrumentation is used: "Any Old Time" is taken as a
Sherman duet with
Pizzarelli, "Many a New Day" finds the singer accompanied only by bassist Maleson, "Things Are Looking Up" (one of a few numbers on which
Daryl herself plays piano) is taken solo, and she forms an appealing duo with
Barrett on "Why Do I Love You." All of the horn players have their spots and, most importantly,
Daryl Sherman is perfectly suited for the material. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow