Charles Brown – Blues And Other Love Songs

★★★★★☆ Backed by his road trio and feat. tenor saxophonist Houston Person, this set is the second and IMO the best of Browns comeback career in the 90's. The late night, lazy atmosphere fits both Browns husky yet velvet voice and his original songs. The opening "Do You Want Me?" is simply beautiful. And witty too, opening the album with the lyrics "Never wrote a tune, sweet as "Clair de Lune"", it catches on to the somewhat ironic lyrics Brown added to the blues on his breakthrough "Please come home for christmas". This original tune is IMO up to par with many of those popular standards, Browns other 90's releases lean heavier on than this great album. The albums only flaw IMO is the popish rendition of Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight", that make this torch song the albums most happy-go-lucky moment, mainly due to its solo opening. But that sole mistake is cured instantly by the following song, where Brown is back on track. Higly recommended.