Ernie Andrews' first record for the Dot label is a fine piece of jazz-blues in the vein of
Joe Williams or
Jimmy Rushing, and it's a puzzle why he wasn't accorded respect to match his obvious talent. He possessed a higher register than
Al Hibbler or
Johnny Hartman but still featured their rich tone, and was closest to
Billy Eckstine but, on this album, sang much more expressively than
Eckstine. Recording with a band led by
Ernie Freeman or an organ trio headed by Tyrone Parsons,
Andrews swings the
blues in a manner that leans as much toward
soul as
vocal jazz. The opener "Why" could have appeared on a
James Brown LP of the era without too much of a stretch; the
standards "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" and "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" are taken at a suitably relaxed pace, and
Andrews stretches out on the
Bird tribute "Parker's Mood." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
