Lorraine Feather - Sweet Lorraine (1979) [Vinyl]

Being the daughter of a famous jazz critic like Leonard Feather must be a mixed blessing for singer Lorraine Feather. Although it may occasionally open doors for her, she is likely overly scrutinized by writers, radio programmers, and the jazz-buying public. She has grown tremendously with the few jazz releases she's made since this 1979 Concord LP (which marked her debut as a leader). With a supporting cast that includes Herb Ellis, Ross Tompkins, and Jake Hanna, as well as then up-and-coming saxophonists Scott Hamilton and Ted Nash, it would seem hard to not shine. But she seems a little thin at the start, not making the most of Tompkins' and Hamilton's lush playing on "Someone to Watch Over Me," and then immediately follows it with rocker Van Morrison's clunker, the unswinging monotonous "Moondance." She seems warmed up a bit during the lush "Skylark" and has some fun with Dave Frishberg's "I Don't Believe You," heard in a upbeat Latin arrangement and featuring a lively solo by guitarist Joe Diorio. She's game enough to tackle Miles Davis' "All Blues," showcasing her upper range, and also the trumpeter's "Four," where she emulates her interpretation on Annie Ross' roller coaster earlier recording. This long unavailable LP is an uneven date, but it has enough high points to recommend it.