The mix of jazz and R&B never sounded better than with the brother/sister team of pianist Buddy Johnson and singer Ella. This two disc, 51 song selection has almost everything you’d want from the team (What?!? No “Jackie Robinson”?), including the smooth hits like “That’s The Stuff You Gotta Watch” , the sleek “When My Man Comes Home” and bluesy “I Don’t Want Nobody”. But of course, the big draw is the first and still definitive take of Buddy’s “Since I Fell For You”, which has since become a standard.
Ms. Johnson’s voice has the subtle expressiveness of Billie Holiday, with a lilt akin to Helen Humes. Her phrasing is not overplayed; she holds back and in doing so drawing you in. She worked it well on popular pieces like “When My Man Comes Home”, “I’m Just Your Fool” and “Bring It Home To Me” which made a big dent in the then nascent rock and roll market.
Johnson’s classy style of delivery Is something that has been lost on todays vocalists, focusing on either navel gazing or agonizing angst. See how silk should sound.