Track Listing

1. 'Deed I Do
2. Lover Man
3. Ev'rything I've Got
4. Comment Allez-Vous
5. More Than You Know
6. Thou Swell
7. It Might as Well Be Spring
8. Tout Doucement
9. You for Me
10. Now at Last
11. I Hear Music
12. Wait Till You See Her
13. I Won't Dance
14. Fine Spring Morning
15. They Say It's Spring [#][*]
16. Johnny One Note [#][*]
17. Blossom's Blues [#][*]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14450 in Music
• Released on: 1989-06-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.com
That's her real name and this is her real voice, as fresh and sweet as the darling buds of May--but never cloying or precious. Fittingly, there's a bright, springtime theme running through this record, which includes "It Might as Well Be Spring," "A Fine Spring Morning," and the CD bonus track "They Say It's Spring." And since Ms. Dearie had recently returned from a few years in France in 1956 when she recorded this, her first U.S. album, there are also some chansons in zee language of love: "Comment Allez Vous," "Tout Doucement," and the aforementioned "It Might As Well Be Printemps." The only thing missing is "April in Paris." Dearie accompanies herself on piano, with Ray Brown (bass) and Jo Jones (drums)--and on some tracks a six-voice chorus. If Chet Baker and Betty Boop had a baby, she'd be Blossom Dearie--and this first-rate album catches her in the springtime of her career. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews

The sexiest thing I've ever heard
Blossom Dearie's "It Might as Well be Spring", sung in French, is without doubt the sexiest thing I have ever heard. Misty, romantic, drenched in ennui and melancholy, but a light touch maintained with that clear, pure voice. It makes me go weak at the knees. Like Billie Holliday only optimistic. Blossom can carry a torch, but make it seem like a light burden she might toss away on a whim. Jazz fans, get this.

Come discover this enchanting jazz vocalist
If you're of generation-X, you may already be familiar with Blossom Dearie's whispery, gentle, almost childlike voice from her vocals on SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK (she sang "Unpack Your Adjectives" and "Figure Eight). I encourage you to pick up this album, her first released one, and find out what an incredible talent is, both at the mic and at the piano.

This is my personal favorite of her albums. The standards all swing gently, and Blossom adds a delicate sense of humor to many of the tunes, especially the playful "Everything I've Got." Other up-tempo stand-outs are "'Deed I Do," "I Hear Music," "You for Me," and my favorite from the whole album, the teasing "I Won't Dance." But she also slows it down in a beautiful rendition of "Loverman" and croons gentle on "Fine Spring Morning." She doesn't sing at all on "More Than You Know," but shows off her piano playing skills. On the bonus tracks, she gets sassy with "Blossom's Blues," and lets a six part vocal group tear into the bouncy "Johnny One Note."

This is a great introduction to this singularly talented woman (who still sings today, and still sounds great.) Pick it up, and you'll soon want all her albums.

Here is what the experts say...
AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Other than a pair of sessions for the French Barclay label during 1955-56, this set (which has been reissued on CD) has pianist-vocalist Blossom Dearie's first recordings as a leader. Teamed up with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jo Jones, Dearie is heard in her early prime. Although her voice has always been an acquired taste, its sincerity and sense of swing wins one over after a few songs and Dearie's piano playing is first class. In addition to the 14 original selections (mostly swing-era standards plus a couple of French songs), there are three previously unreleased numbers including "Blossom's Blues" which dates from 1959. This CD is the perfect introduction for listeners to the unique sound of Blossom Dearie. - Scott Yanow