Always in Our Hearts: Etta Jones as We Loved Her in Bloomington, MN

Etta Jones
, who died in 2002, recorded for the
High Note
label during her final six years. This sampler has selections picked from five of her final recordings by her longtime musical partner tenor-saxophonist
Houston Person
, who says that they were her favorite tracks. There are three selections apiece from
The Melody Lingers On
,
All the Way
and her final album
Etta Jones Sings Lady Day
plus one apiece from
My Buddy
and
Easy Living
. Although her range had shrunk a little by then, her voice still sounded fairly strong during these last years while her expressive qualities made many of the selections touching.
Person
has a few short solos, as do guitarists
Russell Malone
Peter Bernstein
and trombonist
Steve Turre
is on
"I Should Care,"
but the emphasis is mostly on
Jones
' singing. Her fans will desire her complete CDs but beginners wanting a sampling of this underrated talent will find much to savor on this well-conceived set, which is highlighted by the best version of
"All of Me"
since
Dinah Washington
. ~ Scott Yanow