Etta Jones "Don't Go To Strangers" LP

By the time Etta Jones recorded her first Prestige session, she had been around the block a number of times. Containing “Don’t Go To Strangers,” which became her biggest hit, the album was her introduction to a wider audience. She is backed by a small group of jazzmen, who happened to be among the Manhattan’s best. My favorite song is Billie Holiday’s “Fine And Dandy.” There are echoes of Billie in her duet with Frank Wess’ tenor. Wess switches to flute on “Where Or When.” adding lightness to the tune. “On The Street Where You Live” has a bop edge to it that’s along way from Julie Andrews’ popular version. “Something To Remember You By” was from the 1940s film, My Lucky. Cary Grant as the gambler Lucky used to whistle it. Jones gives it new meaning. Sinatra owned “All The Way” from the film The Joker Is Wild. With Richard Wyands soft piano in the background, Jones takes it away from Sinatra, giving it a woman’s side of heartache. It's a great vocal album, easily Jones’ and one of the best.