Dave Frishberg - Quality Time (1993)

This Dave Frishberg CD is a more specialized project than the lyricist/vocalist/pianist's more definitive Concord releases. Five of the songs were written for a musical about baseball history that was never produced and several of these are of much more limited interest than usual. The most memorable selections on this release are the title cut (which is a near-classic about a Yuppie couple halfheartedly struggling to make time for each other), a bittersweet "The Dear Departed Past" and a remake of "Dear Bix." In addition there are two fine piano solos and short spots for trumpeter Rich Cooper and tenor-saxophonist Lee Wuthernow. But, although a sincere effort, this CD is primarily for Frishberg completists who already have his Concord sets.