Enjoy Yourself

Two of singer Maxine Sullivan's lesser-known albums for Audiophile have been reissued in full on this single CD. The first 11 selections date from 1978 and were formerly the album With the Ike Isaacs Quartet. Backed by a solid rhythm section and Herman Foretich on reeds, Sullivan gives typically tasteful and lightly swinging treatments to such songs as "This Heart of Mine," "I Hadn't Anyone Till You," "It's Only a Paper Moon," and "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries." The other half of this CD, which dates from near the end of her life in 1985, finds Sullivan still in prime form. For this set (originally released as Enjoy Yourself), she is assisted by pianist Dardanelle (who joins her for a vocal duet on "Side by Side"), tenor-saxophonist Sil Austin, and a pianoless rhythm section led by bassist Bob Haggart. Highlights include "Truckin'," "Get out and Get Under the Moon," and "It's the Talk of the Town." This generous 22-song reissue is typical of Maxine Sullivan's output for she never recorded a weak album; well worth exploring and savoring. ~ Scott Yanow|