Abbey Is Blue in Bloomington, MN

Abbey Lincoln
's third of three
Riverside
albums directly precedes her more adventurous work with drummer (and then-husband)
Max Roach
. With fine backup from trumpeter
Kenny Dorham
, pianist
Wynton Kelly
,
Les Spann
(doubling on guitar and flute), bassist
Sam Jones
, and drummer
Philly Joe Jones
) on seven of the ten numbers, and by
Roach
's regular quintet at the time on the other three selections,
Lincoln
is quite emotional and distinctive during a particularly strong set. Highlights include the first vocal version ever of "Afro-Blue," "Come Sunday,"
Oscar Brown, Jr.
's "Brother, Where Are You," "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," "Long as You're Living," and
's own "Let Up." A very memorable set. ~ Scott Yanow