This 1997 concert marked the first time that vocalist
Sheila Jordan and bassist
Cameron Brown had performed live as a duo. Nerves aside, they had their Belgian audience captivated from the opening of the set.
Jordan improvises much like a horn with her interesting choices of notes as she sings the lyrics to
standards like "The Very Thought of You," while
Brown is also a superb musician, comping perfectly for her and launching on inventive solo flights of his own.
Jordan scats an introduction to the playful "Better Than Anything" (a good song that is often subjected to lackluster interpretations), adding a few interesting twists of her own as they take it into new musical territory. "Dat Dere" sounds even better in a vocal/bass setting;
Jordan's humorous interpretation proves to be infectious. One unusual part of this performance is her series of medleys that are connected without interruption, blending her originals with
standards and favorite
jazz compositions into a stunning
tour de force. The duo wraps the session with "I've Grown Accustomed to the Bass," with
Jordan wryly altering the lyrics to "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" to craft a fitting tribute to her duo partner. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
