Julia Rich - If I Spoke French (2003)

"Julia Rich shows an allegiance to the big band forms of the '40's and '50's but also proves to be a very intelligent songwriter who can come up with a lot of witty tunes about love and life, such as 'If I Spoke French' and 'Boyfriends.' Her smooth, elegant voice sounds best on slow, languid tempos with Larry O'Brien's smooth, Tommy Dorsey-like trombone or Rickey Woodard's deep tenor behind her. Her tries at other styles are worthy as well. There's the perky calypso beat of 'Hula Girls,' the jazzy brassiness of 'Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead,' a solemn version of 'The Tennessee Waltz' and a bossa nova treatment of the Beatles on 'I Will.' Mostly, though, there's the laid-back sexy assurance found on old swing chestnuts like 'Don't Blame Me,' 'I Know Why' and 'All The Cats Join In,' pieces done intimately with just a few horns and sounding like gold. Julia Rich is doing what she sounds best at on this CD."