Blossom Dearie - Blossom's Planet (Planet One) (2000/2020)

Blossom Dearie made her first recording in Paris in 1955. For the next 45-plus years, she turned out a steady stream of albums which have delighted her very devoted followers and vocal jazz fans alike. If Paul Desmond was the epitome of relaxation and quietness on the alto saxophone, his vocal counterpart has to be Dearie. Her voice is as recognizable as Ella Fitzgerald's, Billie Holiday's, Peggy Lee's, and other great jazz vocalists. This album has a decidedly Brazilian jazz bent. There are songs by Grammy award-winner Brazilian composer Ivan Lins and Antonio Carlos Jobim. There are also Dearie originals, which she co-authored with the likes of Johnny Mandel, Michel Legrand, and Jack Segal. In short, an eclectic roster of appealing songs that characterize this singer's albums over the years and that all get that intimate caressing, clarity of expression, and intelligent delivery -- all of which are uniquely Dearie's. On Jobim's "Wave," she rides on a crest of strings created electronically by Cesar Camarago Mariano. Her interpretation of one of Jobim's most popular tunes sets it apart from most others as she leaves some space between each line of the chorus, a device which creates anticipation for the next line. This tune also is a vehicle for her minimalist, melodic pianism. A truly class track. Good singers can make songs sound better than they really are and Dearie's ability to do that is highlighted by her rendition of Sting's "La Belle Dame Sans Regrets," which she does in French to a subtle Latin beat. Blossom's Planet is a welcome addition to her large galaxy of superior vocal recordings and is highly recommended.