Jeanie Bryson - Tonight I Need You So

Bryson's soft warm voice at times recalls Maxine Sullivan and on "Solamente Tu" she comes very close to the fragility of Astrud Gilberto. There are a few memorable selections on her second Telarc disc, most notably the exuberant "Simple Song" (which has some jubilant playing from altoist Paquito D'Rivera), a sensuous "Honeysuckle Rose" and a fine version of "Skydive." Unfortunately the set also has an excess of forgettable poppish material that weighs down the content somewhat. However Bryson mostly overcomes the material and her likable and easygoing style compensates. This release is not essential but is enjoyable. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Jeanie Bryson (vocals); Don Braden (tenor saxophone); Paquito D'Rivera (alto saxophone); Claudio Roditi (trumpet); Jay Ashby (trombone); Ted Brancato, Danilo Perez (piano); Vic Juris (guitar); Christian McBride (acoustic bass); Ron Davis, Ignacio Berroa (drums); Rudy Byrd (percussion).