A variety of different singers (most from the swing era) are heard on this excellent collection. The music is enjoyable, if generally not all that essential, although
Mildred Bailey's "I'm Nobody's Baby" (with its advanced
Eddie Sauter arrangement and
Roy Eldridge's futuristic trumpet solo),
Billie Holiday's "All of Me,"
Woody Hermants "Caldonia" and "Nat Meets June" from
Nat King Cole and
June Christy with
the Metronome All-Stars are classics. Also heard from are
Maxine Sullivan,
Big Joe Turner,
Jack Teagarden,
Cab Calloway,
Slim Gaillard,
Anita O'Day,
Jimmy Rushing,
Peggy Lee,
Roy Eldridge,
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson,
Hot Lips Page and
Sarah Vaughan.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi