BENNY CARTER - Songbook (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Due to his being such a talented altoist, arranger and occasional trumpeter for seven decades, it is often forgotten that Benny Carter wrote some worthy songs along the way. "When Lights Are Low" and "Blues in My Heart" are standards while "Only Trust Your Heart," "Key Largo" and the novelty hit "Cow-Cow Boogie" are close. For this unusual set, 14 different singers had opportunities to interpret one or two Carter compositions while joined by a fine quintet consisting of cornetist Warren Vache, pianist Chris Neville, bassist Steve LaSpina, drummer Sherman Ferguson and Carter himself (88 at the time!) on alto. The ambitious program includes five Carter songs that were receiving their world premiere; in addition Carter also wrote or co-wrote the lyrics to nine of the pieces. The singers all show respect for the melody and words with Jon Hendricks being playful on "Cow-Cow Boogie," Joe Williams quite touching on "I Was Wrong" and a weakened Peggy Lee making a memorable cameo on "I See You." The vocalists consistently seem quite inspired by the unique project. There are many short Carter and Warren Vache solos and, even with the emphasis on ballads, there is more variety than one might expect. The well-conceived tribute (which also has fine appearances by Dianne Reeves, Carmen Bradford, Kenny Rankin, Marlena Shaw, Diana Krall, Billy Stritch, Shirley Horn, Bobby Short, Ruth Brown, Weslia Whitfield and Nancy Marano) is easily recommended. Scott Yanow   
Tracklist :
1 Only Trust Your Heart 5:28
Sammy Cahn / Benny Carter
Vocals – Dianne Reeves
2 All That Jazz 4:53
Benny Carter / Al Stillman
Vocals – Carmen Bradford, Kenny Rankin
3 I Was Wrong 4:21
Benny Carter
Vocals – Joe Williams
4 Rain 4:58
Benny Carter
Vocals – Marlena Shaw
5 Cow Cow Boogie 5:32
Benny Carter / Gene DePaul / Don Raye
Vocals – Jon Hendricks
6 Fresh Out of Love 5:37
Benny Carter
Vocals – Diana Krall
7 Speak Now 4:54
Benny Carter
Vocals – Billy Stritch
8 A Kiss from You 5:27
Benny Carter / Johnny Mercer
Vocals – Shirley Horn
9 You Bring Out the Best in Me 4:15
Benny Carter
Vocals – Bobby Short
10 My Kind of Trouble Is You 5:46
Benny Carter / Paul Vandervoort II
Vocals – Ruth Brown
11 When Lights Are Low 4:05
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams
Vocals – Weslia Whitfield
12 Lonely Woman 6:33
Benny Carter / Ray Sonin
Vocals – Nancy Marano
13 Key Largo 4:32
Benny Carter / Karl Suessdorf / Leah Worth
Vocals – Carmen Bradford
14 We Were in Love 6:00
Benny Carter
Vocals – Dianne Reeves, Joe Williams
15 I See You 4:48
Benny Carter
Vocals – Peggy Lee
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – John Heard (tracks: 15), Steve LaSpina (tracks: 1 to 14)
Cornet – Warren Vaché (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9, 11, 13, 14)
Drums – Roy McCurdy (tracks: 2, 10, 13), Sherman Ferguson (tracks: 1, 3 to 9, 11, 12, 14, 15)
Piano – Chris Neville (tracks: 1 to 14), Gene DiNovi (tracks: 15)