The Very Thought of You

Diane Witherspoon is a singer who can swing at any tempo, inspiring her sidemen to play at their best. Her voice is attractive and she improvises well, but it is the feeling of swing that is most impressive. For this project, The Very Thought of You, Witherspoon recorded a set of standards in Nakano Japan with the tasteful support of pianist Kei Shibata and bassist Hitoshi Watanabe. "Almost Like Being In Love" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" cook, "Sugar" and "Cry Me A River" are quite soulful. Other highlights include "Bye Bye Blackbird," "Quiet Nights," and "Afro Blue." All in all, this is one of Diane Witherspoon's strongest recordings to date, and even though most of the material is familiar, these versions are largely memorable and quite fun.