Maureen McGovern - The Pleasure of His Company (2024)

This is the second duet session cabaret singer McGovern recorded with the fine jazz pianist Mike Rienzi, who is also prominent on another 1998 Grammy nominee, JACK JONES PAINTS A TRIBUTE TO TONY BENNETT. No jazz singer herself, McGovern nevertheless brings to this set of standards--"Lucky To Be Me, " "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most"--a well trained but appealing style. In fact, her pitch-perfect, lovely tone is not unlike that of the estimable Dawn Upshaw, the classical soprano-cum-crossover artist whose recent SINGS VERNON DUKE turned heads. Rienzi's sympathetic, rich accompaniment makes for a warm, intimate mood throughout.