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. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
