With its saucy title and come-hither cover photo,
Squeeze Me promises an abundance of sex-kitten thrills, but what separates
Sallie Blair from dozens of other postwar bombshells is her bluesy, earthy voice -- sultriness notwithstanding, the girl can sing. This Bethlehem debut pairs
Blair with arranger
Richard Wess and a small-combo support unit headlined by bassist
Milt Hinton, guitarist
Sal Salvador, and pianist
Sanford Gold. The record's candlelit ambience emphasizes
Blair's prowess on romantic ballads, but a few uptempo, Latin-inspired cuts underscore the breadth of her vocal range.