Barbara Lea - Remembering Remembering Lee Wiley (1995)

Lee Wiley has long been one of Barbara Lea's idols, so her tribute to the swing-era singer is heartfelt and full of sympathy. Lea recorded 11 songs in 1976 and three in 1977 using a trio led by pianist Loonis McGlohon, with guest spots for clarinetist Bob Mitchell. When the music was being made ready for its CD reissue in 1995, Lea got together with McGlohon and a different rhythm section (plus Randy Reinhart on trumpet and trombone) to cut eight more songs. Although Lea lacks Wiley's quiet intensity and understated sensuality, she does an excellent job throughout the ballad-oriented set; highlights include "I Left My Sugar Standing in the Rain," "Time On My Hands," "Down to Steamboat Tennessee," "Sugar" and "Wherever There's Love."