Nearly all the songs in
Wesla Whitfield
's CD of songs by
Rodgers and Hart
(or
Hart and Rodgers
, as she prefers to emphasize the considerable gifts of the lyricist) have been recorded countless times by
jazz
singers, not even tabulating similar songbooks devoted to one of Broadway's most gifted songwriting partnerships. But
Whitfield
makes sure she includes every commonly omitted verse, utilizing her powerful alto to mesh with pianist (and husband)
Mike Greensill
's innovative arrangements to add her own touch to each of the songs. Her inflections in the bittersweet
"Spring Is Here"
add a new depth to an already emotional song, while
Greensill
's perky chart of
"This Can't Be Love"
showcases
's playfulness. The phenomenal bassist
Michael Moore
adds a lot to this session as well; his matchless arco bass introduces the medley of
"My Romance,"
which segues into the lively but neglected
"Johnny One Note."
While the productive partnership of
for hard-headed traditionalists) is unlikely to be matched in the history of songwriting, the partnership of
and
is an extremely successful musical marriage that is always a delight to hear. ~ Ken Dryden