Janis' first solo effort is finally on cd. With an extra track too!
Although this seems to be little more than a showcase for her talents, it is carried out well.
'Back to the Island', 'Guess Who I Saw Today', 'How High The Moon' and 'Hammer and Nails' really get their justice with her.
Her voice is expressive and immediate. She can smooth it out (Guess who I saw today) or make it rough (Hammer and Nails) or bounce it along (Back to the Island).
Her resume at the time was limited to the Manhattan Transfer and included mostly standards and doo wop. The extra track, 'Something Tells Me I'm Into Something Good', is reminiscent of the doo-wop the ManTran did. I do believe they do backup for her here too... but it is a good version nonetheless. The comfort of working with other voices that are known to harmonize well and support of friends was a wise choice.
'Jackie', 'To Be With You' and 'All the Love in the World' also shine here.This is unlike her later releases, but worth the buy.
Anyone who is into the Manhattan Transfer or Janis herself will appreciate this cd. Long awaited and worth the buy.